Art Eggleton

[Kosovo, April 14th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, we have been abundantly clear about this. The only ground forces we have been talking about are those in relation to a peace implementation plan. There will be peacekeepers when a peaceful condition exists in Kosovo. That is the only thing this government has put forward. It was discussed in the House on February 17 and that is what we are preparing 600 troops to do.

[Kosovo, April 14th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, all of our troops are trained to be combat capable. There are various conditions that come up in peacekeeping missions. We have seen that in Bosnia and in other theatres. They are not always peaceful. They have to be prepared for different eventualities.

Yesterday the hon. member brought up this figure of 2,000. He brought it up because he said that something was being discussed at Kingston. I looked into that and I found out that a month ago there was a classroom discussion at the peacekeeping training centre there. Somebody asked a question about different theoretical possibilities and there was a general discussion.

Policy for the Canadian forces is not made in a classroom in Kingston, it is made at defence headquarters. He is being mischievous and irresponsible.

[Kosovo, April 14th, 1999]

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

[Kosovo, April 14th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there is full consultation on a daily basis with all the partners in NATO. All 19 of us are constantly being consulted.

Additional aircraft are needed because we want to intensify this campaign to stop the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. Additional aircraft are being provided by many countries and Canada is also considering it.

[Kosovo, April 13th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated yesterday, no Canadian munitions are using depleted uranium.

There may be use by other NATO allies, including the United States, and that matter is being looked into.

[Kosovo, April 13th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as I indicated in my previous response to the other hon. member of the Progressive Conservative Party, we only have one plan with respect to the deployment of Canadian troops.

With respect to the skirmishes on the border, we are still awaiting confirmation as to what took place.

Certainly the plan of NATO is to have troops, as it does now in Macedonia and as it will have in Albania, to protect the refugees.

[Kosovo, April 13th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, as I have indicated before, yes, the Canadian forces are ready to send troops in support of a peacekeeping implementation plan that has been previously discussed in this House. We are preparing 600 troops at the base in Edmonton for deployment into the area.

[Kosovo, April 13th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the only plan in existence and the only plan that is approved is the plan that involves some 600 troops that would be part of a peacekeeping implementation force following a peace agreement.

[Kosovo, April 13th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised the hon. member did not note that Prime Minister Blair did not have a vote on his decision.

We already had a discussion in the House going back to February 17 when we decided that indeed, with the support of all parties I might add, that 600 troops should be part of a peace implementation force. That continues to stand. We have not at this point in time been asked for any other additional resources.

[Kosovo, April 13th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, first we do not know about the alleged incursion this morning into the Albanian border, but the matter is being looked into and we hope to have information on it soon.

With respect to the matter of ground forces, of course ground forces have always been a part of the peace implementation plan which would come after a peace agreement has been signed.

With respect to any other alternative uses or any other options, military planners always look at all options at all times. That is a normal thing to do, but as far as it has gone we have one plan and that is to continue the air campaign in Yugoslavia.