Although the plans were established several months ago, the announcement is expected to lead to speculation that winding down the UK's commitments elsewhere will free troops for any military action against Iraq.
This reduction in forces does not signal any reduction
in the commitment of either Nato or the UK to the Balkans |
|
Ministry of Defence |
The Nato Joint Operational Review (JOAR) of peace-keeping needs was ordered after greater political stability returned to the area.
Britain will keep a battle group in Bosnia and an operational reserve battalion in the Kosovan capital, Pristina - able to be deployed in either Kosovo or Bosnia.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said "This reduction in forces does not signal any reduction in the commitment of either Nato or the UK to the Balkans.
"Instead it reflects the improved security situation in the Balkans and restructuring to provide a smaller, lighter and more flexible force that will be able to meet current challenges."
'No connection'
The JOAR advocated a regional approach to Nato's peace-keeping operations in the Balkans, treating Bosnia and Kosovo deployments as a single issue.
Defence sources have consistently stressed the re-deployment - known about before the latest Iraq developments - is not connected to events in that region.
There are currently about 4,350 British troops in the Balkans.
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