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UK to withdraw troops from Bosnia

NL_engineer

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Link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6406671.stm
Most of the UK's remaining troops in Bosnia-Hercegovina are to be withdrawn, defence minister Adam Ingram has said.

More than 600 troops, mostly Welsh Guards, will come home due to the improved security situation, he said.

A small number of staff officers will remain in Sarajevo, and Britain will contribute to the pan-Balkans Operational Reserve Force.

The troop withdrawal is part of a larger reduction of international forces from 6,000 to 2,500 troops.

In a statement to the House of Commons, Mr Ingram admitted there were high levels of small arms and light weapons in the country, but there were international initiatives to reduce these.

'Approaching normality'

He added: "It is clear that the Bosnia-Hercegovina is becoming increasingly safe. In recent years there have been increasing indications of a security situation approaching normality."

But he said military operations had not been without significant loss.

A series of commemorative events are to be held to honour the 55 British personnel who died and the thousands who served there.


If Bosnia are incapable of taking more control of their own affairs at a political level, how confident are you that they can do it on a military level?
Liam Fox
Shadow defence secretary

End of a long road in Bosnia

Although the EU peacekeeping force Eufor is being reduced, the international community overseeing the 1995 Dayton Peace Accord said it was retaining the office of the High Representative until June 2008.

It said the reforms it wanted had not yet been fully implemented.

Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said: "If Bosnia are incapable of taking more control of their own affairs at a political level, how confident are you that they can do it on a military level?"

More on link
 
Well, thats one more country who's ended their deployment in the region(well,they're about to) . Just shows that things DO take time,  but in the end the results are so much better than when the deployments begin.

I just came across the article, remembered something about the UK leaving had been posted here a few weeks ago, so I thought I'd post this here as an update.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6491749.stm
UK troops end Bosnia deployment
he last remaining British troops in Bosnia-Hercegovina are leaving the country, 15 years after they were first deployed as peacekeepers.

The 600 personnel were one of the main components of the European Union force, Eufor, which is being cut from 6,000 to about 2,500.

Most of the returning UK soldiers are Welsh Guards. A small number of staff officers will remain in Sarajevo.

Around 250,000 people died in the inter-ethnic war of 1992-95.

Although Eufor is being reduced, the international community overseeing the 1995 Dayton Peace Accord said it was retaining the office of the High Representative until June 2008.

Initially British troops served with the United Nations, and then under Nato command until Eufor took responsibility for safeguarding peace in 2004.

They have largely been targeting war criminals' support networks and illegal weapons.

The country itself is now largely stable.

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Stanford said British forces could be proud of their achievements.

"The legacy is this country now can stand on its own two feet... it's a phenomenal achievement by everybody who's been here, and Britain has made a significant contribution."


 
mckee19 said:
does canada still have troops in bosnia?
Yes, Canada still has a few dozen troops in Bosnia on operations.

You can read more about the Ops here..... ------> http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/operations/current_ops_e.asp
 
thanks, Ive seen that site before but obviously didn't pay enough attention to it
 
http://www.army.mod.uk/news/army_news_current_stories/iron_guardsman_chall.htm
Some members of the Welsh Guards have chosen an differen't method of retuning to England than is normally used. Some members have decided to bike,kyak,and run home. I wish them all luck no matter how they return home.
 
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