Mr. Speaker, Canadian soldiers in the former Yugoslavia for the last three years have performed an excellent duty. That is recognized by everybody.
The United Nations decided the battalion in Visoko is not needed any more because it is within an area completely controlled by the Bosnian government. We will repatriate its members with pleasure and thank them for a job extremely well done.
We were there because the UN asked us to be there. Now the UN says they do not need to be there any more, and so we will bring the troops back to Canada.
For the first time ever we have had debate on this in the House of Commons. I have seen the Reform Party change its position two or three times since the beginning. For our part we have always been behind the UN and behind the Canadian soldiers who are considered the best there.
Now the mission is over. We are happy. The troops will be back in Canada with the satisfaction of having accomplished an excellent job in Visoko. We are all proud of them in Canada.