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McCallum Confirms Cut in Bosnia Force

Defence minister announces reduction at NATO meeting in Brussels

Friday, June 7, 2002
(12:51 PM)
By Paul Ames
Associated Press Writer

Markham MP John McCallum replaced Art Eggleton as defence minister in May.
Image Credit: Canadian Press.

NATO says the reduction reflects an improved Balkan security situation. "It's a good news story," McCallum said. "Things have stabilized quicker than expected."

BRUSSELS -- AP
Defence Minister John McCallum said today Canada plans to cut its contribution to the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Bosnia by about 500 troops.

Canada would maintain some 1,200 troops in the Balkan region, he said. There are currently 1,700 Canadian soldiers in Bosnia.

McCallum insisted media reports of a Canadian withdrawal had "misinterpreted" the situation, and said the cuts represented a smaller reduction than planned by other NATO countries.

"It's not true that Canada is pulling troops out of NATO as some headlines would have it," he told reporters at NATO headquarters in the Belgian capital.
(More: The Toronto Star News Source)
2002 © The Associated Press.

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