Troops should be proud of Bosnia work

All New Zealand troops who served in Bosnia can be rightfully proud of the difference they have made to the peacekeeping effort there, says National’s Defence spokesman, Wayne Mapp.

The last troops are packing up the New Zealand base in Bosnia after 15 years. New Zealand’s contingent reached its maximum size when 250 troops were deployed in 1994-95 at the height of the conflict.

“New Zealand sent the first troops there in 1992 when the inter-ethnic conflict broke out after the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, and they have done a great job contributing to the rebuilding of that country.

“They have made a real difference to the lives of Bosnians in helping them get their lives back to normal.”

National’s Associate Defence spokeswoman, Georgina te Heuheu, says: “All the troops who served in Bosnia down the years should be very proud of what they have achieved, and every New Zealander should be very proud of them.”

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