§ Lord Swinfenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make a contribution to a successor to IFOR.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)The international community is still developing its political strategy for Bosnia in 1997 and it remains too early to make any final decisions, but it seems increasingly likely that a military presence will be required to support the continuing civilian effort.
The Government have therefore decided that, in principle, the UK is prepared to make a contribution of some 5,000 ground troops to such a force subject to the outcome of the London Conference, to a satisfactory military plan being developed by NATO, and to appropriate contributions from our major Allies.