HC Deb 15 July 2002 vol 389 c2W
Mr. Wiggin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for UK peacekeeping missions of a US withdrawal from peacekeeping forces. [68543]

Mr. MacShane

On 30 June the US vetoed the UNSC resolution renewing the UNMIBH/SFOR mandate for Bosnia. The Council has decided to extend the UNMIBH mandate until 15 July, to allow for further efforts to resolve the issue. We continue to work for a solution which meets the concerns of all Security Council members.

The US have reassured the Security Council and peacekeeping partners that it is not their intention to withdraw from peacekeeping operations in the Balkans.

Outside the Balkan region, the US contribute 153 personnel to United Nations peacekeeping missions. Were they to decide to withdraw from these peacekeeping missions, the impact on the UK would be negligible.