Mr. Speaker, while we wrangle about Canadian unity and the relative safety of the Chamber, Canadian lives are at risk in the former Yugoslavia.
We have learned directly from the Canadian camp at Visoko that earlier today Bosnian Muslims placed five anti-tank mines and two rocket propelled grenade launchers across the entrance to our base there.
The Bosnian Muslims have reportedly told our forces that they may not leave the camp and to attempt to do so would invite military retaliation. This means that in effect 700 more Canadian soldiers are now the hostages of yet another warring faction in Bosnia.
Canadians are rightly concerned about the safety of our peacekeepers and disturbed by the escalating nature of the conflict.
Can the minister of defence confirm that this is the situation facing our peacekeepers in Visoko and update the House on the prospects for their release?