Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied by the Minister of National Defence, minimized the seriousness of the situation in Bosnia by comparing it to "a last-minute glitch"; in addition, he expected a quick settlement for the 16 Canadian peacekeepers held hostage by the Serbian armed forces. We know that the situation has degenerated since then, because the Serbian forces have taken other UN troops and observers hostage, bringing the total number to 155.
Can the Minister of Defence report on the negotiations which were to begin this morning between UN representatives and the Serbian military forces for the release of the hostages?