This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6406671.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UK to 'cut Bosnia troops number' UK troops in Bosnia to be reduced
(about 3 hours later)
Most of the UK's remaining troops in Bosnia-Hercegovina will be withdrawn, the government is expected to confirm. Most of the UK's remaining troops in Bosnia-Hercegovina are to be withdrawn, defence minister Adam Ingram has said.
It is thought Britain, which has heavy commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan, will reduce its Bosnian military presence from 700 to just 100. More than 600 troops, mostly Welsh Guards, will come home due to the improved security situation, he said.
On Wednesday, the European Union announced cuts to its peacekeeping operation in the country, Eufor. The UK's military commitment will be largely reduced to a small number of staff officers based in a Sarajevo headquarters, he told MPs.
The troop withdrawal is part of a larger reduction of international forces from 6,000 to 2,500 troops.
In a statement to the House of Commons, Mr Ingram admitted there were high levels of small arms and light weapons in the country, but there were international initiatives to reduce these.
He added: "It is clear that the Bosnia-Hercegovina is becoming increasingly safe ... there have been increasing indications of a security situation approaching normality."
On Wednesday, the European Union announced the cuts to its peacekeeping operation in the country, Eufor over the next three months.
Recently, UK troops have been based in the Bosnian Serb stronghold of Banja Luka as part of the Eufor force.Recently, UK troops have been based in the Bosnian Serb stronghold of Banja Luka as part of the Eufor force.
Stability and reformStability and reform
The Eufor force will see numbers drop from 6,500 currently to about 2,500 over the next three months, the EU said.
Britain's troops have been supporting the 1995 Dayton Peace Accord in Bosnia.Britain's troops have been supporting the 1995 Dayton Peace Accord in Bosnia.
Initially they served with the United Nations, and then under Nato command until Eufor took responsibility for safeguarding peace in 2004.Initially they served with the United Nations, and then under Nato command until Eufor took responsibility for safeguarding peace in 2004.
The chairman of Bosnia's tripartite presidency, Nebojsa Radmanovic, said the country could now ensure stability and reform by itself.The chairman of Bosnia's tripartite presidency, Nebojsa Radmanovic, said the country could now ensure stability and reform by itself.
Around 250,000 died in the inter-ethnic war of 1992-95.Around 250,000 died in the inter-ethnic war of 1992-95.
On Wednesday the EU said it had decided "to reduce Eufor's size but to keep an appropriate robust military presence".On Wednesday the EU said it had decided "to reduce Eufor's size but to keep an appropriate robust military presence".
The statement added that for six months the EU reserved the right to increase troop levels again "if needed".The statement added that for six months the EU reserved the right to increase troop levels again "if needed".
On Tuesday, the international community overseeing the Dayton plan announced it was retaining the office of the High Representative until June 2008.On Tuesday, the international community overseeing the Dayton plan announced it was retaining the office of the High Representative until June 2008.
It said the reforms it wanted had not yet been fully implemented.It said the reforms it wanted had not yet been fully implemented.