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Author:  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (Ca)  


Publisher/Date:  September 21, 1999  


Title:  NATO meets in Toronto to discuss future of alliance  


Original location: http://www.cbcnews.cbc.ca:80/cgi-bin/templates/view.cgi?/news/1999/09/21/nato_to990921


NATO defence ministers are in Toronto this week to hold their first major conference since the alliance's 78-day bombing campaign on Yugoslavia last spring.

The costs of running a NATO operation will be up for review.

Three months after the war, there are still about 50,000 troops trying to keep the peace in Kosovo, another 30,000 in Bosnia.

"We will want to talk about the rationalization of our forces in the Balkans. Many countries are feeling a little stretched," said Canadian Defence Minister Art Eggleton.

In other words, NATO countries want to maintain a strong security presence while looking for ways to save money and reduce the number of troops they need in the Balkans, and for other missions in the future.

NATO Secretary General Javier Solana has no doubt of the Kosovo mission's success.

"You look back at the situation a few months ago, and look at the situation today -- the situation is much better," he said upon his arrival Monday.

While Yugoslavia capitulated without any serious losses among NATO countries, the alliance did commit major blunders, like bombing civilian targets.

Those mistakes fueled protests against the bombing campaign in many Canadian cities and around the world.

That's one reason for heavy security in Toronto's downtown core this week.

Anti-war demonstrators say they're planning no violence, but will protest Canada hosting a gathering of people they feel are responsible for wrecking Yugoslavia.


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