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Constrained Canada Eyes Quicker Peacekeeping Exit
By Randall Palmer
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada, instrumental in creating the modern peacekeeping force after helping to resolve the Suez Crisis in 1956, said on Wednesday budget constraints might force it to adopt a strategy of deploying its forces early in conflicts and pulling them out quickly.
Canada has been a major contributor to global peacekeeping efforts since the crisis over the Suez Canal between Egypt and Britain. But defense cutbacks, particularly since the mid-1990s, have taken their toll on the country‘s ability to mobilize forces around the world.
"Recognizing that we, like all nations, do not have unlimited resources, we are considering an early-in, early-out strategy," Defense Minister Art Eggleton told Ottawa diplomats.
"Going in and staying in a mission for 10, 20, 30 years, I don‘t think is what we want to do too much more of," he said, noting that last year he helped marked the 25th anniversary of Canadian troops serving on the Golan Heights, between Israel and Syria.
Having a viable exit strategy from countries like Somalia and Sierra Leone, plagued by tricky internecine warfare, has always been a problem for countries engaged in peacekeeping or peacemaking.
Eggleton said the principle of getting in and out in six months would not be applied across the board, such as in the Balkans, where Canada and NATO would have to be in for the long haul.
But he said it was planning an early exit from Eritrea, where Canada would hand over duties to Indian forces.
"I think the concept of early-in, early-out gives us an opportunity to make a broader contribution to international peace and security," he told reporters later.
Ian Gore, a defense attache from New Zealand, challenged Eggleton on whether the policy might not lead to a wasted effort if Canada leaves and the mission founders.
"What happens in six months‘ time when there isn‘t anybody to pick up the pieces?" he asked.
The federal government slashed military spending in the mid- to late-1990s as it sought to eliminate huge budget deficits.
That has now been partly reversed. Eggleton said the annual defense budget is now set for C$11.4 billion ($7.2 billion), up from the C$9.9 billion seen after the budget cuts, but it is still below 1994 spending levels of C$12 billion.
Much of the renewed spending will go to recovering ground lost in past years, including boosting salaries and restoring the quality of life of the Canadian Forces.
The Canadian military has been struggling to maintain its target of 60,000 men and women in uniform -- it is at 58,500 currently. The number was 84,600 in 1988 and 120,000 in 1958.
Eggleton said Canada could comfortably deploy 3,000 peacekeepers on an indefinite basis. It has 3,200 serving currently, down from 4,500 18 months ago, with about 2,000 are serving in the Balkans.
"When you have two-thirds in one place, you don‘t have an awful lot for other places, so that‘s why early-in, early-out is important," he said.
By Randall Palmer
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada, instrumental in creating the modern peacekeeping force after helping to resolve the Suez Crisis in 1956, said on Wednesday budget constraints might force it to adopt a strategy of deploying its forces early in conflicts and pulling them out quickly.
Canada has been a major contributor to global peacekeeping efforts since the crisis over the Suez Canal between Egypt and Britain. But defense cutbacks, particularly since the mid-1990s, have taken their toll on the country‘s ability to mobilize forces around the world.
"Recognizing that we, like all nations, do not have unlimited resources, we are considering an early-in, early-out strategy," Defense Minister Art Eggleton told Ottawa diplomats.
"Going in and staying in a mission for 10, 20, 30 years, I don‘t think is what we want to do too much more of," he said, noting that last year he helped marked the 25th anniversary of Canadian troops serving on the Golan Heights, between Israel and Syria.
Having a viable exit strategy from countries like Somalia and Sierra Leone, plagued by tricky internecine warfare, has always been a problem for countries engaged in peacekeeping or peacemaking.
Eggleton said the principle of getting in and out in six months would not be applied across the board, such as in the Balkans, where Canada and NATO would have to be in for the long haul.
But he said it was planning an early exit from Eritrea, where Canada would hand over duties to Indian forces.
"I think the concept of early-in, early-out gives us an opportunity to make a broader contribution to international peace and security," he told reporters later.
Ian Gore, a defense attache from New Zealand, challenged Eggleton on whether the policy might not lead to a wasted effort if Canada leaves and the mission founders.
"What happens in six months‘ time when there isn‘t anybody to pick up the pieces?" he asked.
The federal government slashed military spending in the mid- to late-1990s as it sought to eliminate huge budget deficits.
That has now been partly reversed. Eggleton said the annual defense budget is now set for C$11.4 billion ($7.2 billion), up from the C$9.9 billion seen after the budget cuts, but it is still below 1994 spending levels of C$12 billion.
Much of the renewed spending will go to recovering ground lost in past years, including boosting salaries and restoring the quality of life of the Canadian Forces.
The Canadian military has been struggling to maintain its target of 60,000 men and women in uniform -- it is at 58,500 currently. The number was 84,600 in 1988 and 120,000 in 1958.
Eggleton said Canada could comfortably deploy 3,000 peacekeepers on an indefinite basis. It has 3,200 serving currently, down from 4,500 18 months ago, with about 2,000 are serving in the Balkans.
"When you have two-thirds in one place, you don‘t have an awful lot for other places, so that‘s why early-in, early-out is important," he said.
