Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. We were shocked to hear that this morning in Sarajevo, 50 UN observers and 16 Canadian peacekeepers belonging to the 12th armoured regiment from Valcartier were taken hostage by Serbian forces. This is indeed alarming news, especially for their families with whom we all sympathize.
Could the minister comment on the hostage situation and the dangers involved, and inform the House whether UN spokespersons have managed to contact the leaders of the Bosnian Serbs to negotiate the release of the hostages within the next few hours?