Chile extends peacekeeping troops' stay in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Chile's Senate Friday approved a motion proposed by President Sebastian Pinera to allow its peacekeeping troops in Bosnia and Herzegovina to stay for another year. "Chile has been there since 2004, and currently is not only charged with peacekeeping, but has acquired other roles, such as building homes," said Defense Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter. The troops are part of a peacekeeping Operation Althea. Chile initially sent 45 soldiers in 2004 to participate in the mission, but the number has gradually been trimmed to 15. While expressing his support for the bill, Senator of the ruling Independent Democrat Union (UDI) party Juan Antonio Coloma said the presence of Chilean troops in other peacekeeping missions, such as that in Haiti, should be reassessed. "It's not the same as in Bosnia, where there is dialogue and peace has been maintained in the country ... In Haiti, the country is in the same shape as it was when the Chilean troops arrived and we cannot see progress in its recovery," he said.