May 28, 1998 No. 137

CANADIAN PARTICIPATION IN SFOR

IN BOSNIA AFTER JUNE 1998

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and National Defence Minister Art Eggleton announced today that Canada will renew its participation in the new North Atlantic Treaty Organization Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia after the current mandate expires June 20, 1998.

The mission for the renewed SFOR was the subject of a United Nations Security Council decision and was endorsed today at the Ministerial Meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Luxembourg. SFOR will be an open-ended mission. This approach reflects the international community's readiness to persevere in Bosnia until a self-sustaining peace is achieved. The North Atlantic Council has proposed to review SFOR at six-month intervals.

"As the Prime Minister noted during his recent trip to Bosnia, there has been significant progress, but there remains much to be done," said Minister Axworthy. "The continued presence of SFOR will provide the overall security and stability necessary to various civilian projects aimed at rebuilding a functioning society and government. Canada will continue to work to empower civil society organizations and to promote basic human rights including freedom of movement and property rights."

In November 1997, upon their return from a visit to Bosnia, a delegation of members from the Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs and International Trade and National Defence and Veterans Affairs recommended that Canada continue to serve in SFOR in Bosnia. At the Committees' joint request, Canada's contribution was debated in the House on April 28, 1998.

"Over the past seven years, Canadian soldiers have contributed significantly to the multinational effort to establish peace in the former Yugoslavia," said Minister Eggleton. "I am confident that they will continue to carry out their duties in the new SFOR with their usual professionalism, energy and dedication."

SFOR's primary mandate has been to maintain a secure and stable environment in Bosnia in order to allow implementation of civilian aspects of the Dayton Accords. Much has already been achieved as a result of SFOR's presence: peace has been restored and the electoral process has been restarted.

The mission of the Canadian contingent in SFOR in Bosnia will be to monitor and ensure compliance with the military aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement. The Canadian force will also be responsible for providing broad support to the international agencies responsible for the implementation of the civilian aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Canada deploys more than 1200 Canadian Armed Forces personnel in Bosnia.

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Nicole Bourget

Office of the Minister of National Defence

(613) 996-3100

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

Media Liaison Office

Department of National Defence

(613) 996-2353

This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca