Art Eggleton

[Kosovo, April 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the operations that we have in Albania, in Macedonia or anywhere in the area have been previously well discussed and announced in the House. We made it quite clear that we would not be sending peacekeeping troops under a condition of conflict, or anything other than what we have agreed to already, without further discussion.

[Kosovo, April 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I do not know what the hon. member is referring to as ground operations.

We have personnel in Macedonia and Albania who are largely assisting with refugees and things of that order. We do not have troops. We indicated previously that under a peacekeeping force, which would come with a post-peace agreement, we would send 600 to 800 troops. Obviously those troops are not there at this point in time. What people we do have in the area are helping to assist in the overall effort with respect to the refugees.

[Kosovo, April 19th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I was in Aviano on Saturday. I was also in Brussels the day before and met with a number of NATO officials.

I must inform the House that General Short, the NATO air campaign commander, was praising our Canadian involvement. He said that they were top professional people who were doing an outstanding job and that they believed in the just cause NATO was involved in.

[Kosovo, April 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there are some 20,000 NATO troops between Albania and Macedonia that are there as a vanguard group for a peace implementation force. It is a very substantial number of troops. It is also a substantial number of troops to help look after the refugees, and that is what they are doing.

[Kosovo, April 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there was a general request issued by the supreme allied commander in Europe to the NATO countries. We are actively looking at the matter. I hope to have something to say about this shortly.

[Kosovo, April 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there are no plans to send ground troops at this point in time. The only plan is in terms of a peace implementation force.

With respect to the air campaign, every effort is made to hit military targets. That is our objective. That is our effort. Every effort is also made to avoid civilian casualties. Unfortunately, there have been incidents, but every effort is being made to double the attempts to prevent that kind of thing from happening.

[Kosovo, April 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, with respect to more CF-18s, we have the matter under active consideration. I expect to be able to say something about that shortly.

With respect to our plans in terms of forces on the ground, our plans are only relevant to a peacekeeping force. If there is anything else, as the Prime Minister has said, as I have said and as others have said on many occasions, then of course there would be full consultation with the House.

[Kosovo, April 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member does not seem to give up. I clearly pointed out yesterday that what he is relating to is a classroom discussion, not the development of policy. That is developed at National Defence Headquarters and ultimately here in the House of Commons.

The training that goes on and the training he referred to yesterday in terms of the United States is something that has been planned for a long period of time. It is part of our ongoing training, our inter-operability with the United States forces, to keep combat capable. The only troops that we have been talking about in terms of Kosovo have been for peacekeeping purposes.

[Kosovo, April 14th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there is no change from what has been said. We had said 600 to 800 troops, but we now have it pinned down to 600 troops. Yes, they would go to Macedonia because they would be part of a co-operative effort with the British who are located in Macedonia. We have not determined when they are going to be deployed, but their only deployment will be as peacekeepers.

[Kosovo, April 14th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, talk about votable situations. The official opposition had an opposition day and its members chose not to talk about this subject at all. If they want a vote, they could vote no confidence in this government.

This government is taking its responsibility and doing the proper thing because we care about the people in Kosovo who are being persecuted by the Yugoslav government.