Desperate EU expects Russia to solve its problem
Posted, March 13, 2008 @ 00:00
Desperate EU expects Russia to solve its problem
Defence Spokesman for the Conservatives in the European Parliament, Geoffrey Van Orden MEP, yesterday raised serious concerns over the direction and coherence of the EU deployment in Chad after it emerged that the force would now have to depend on Russian helicopters for support.
The mission, originally proposed by French negotiators over eight months ago, has suffered repeated delays, most recently due to February's outbreak of violence in the Chadian capital, N'Djamena.
Mr Van Orden commented:
"Leaving aside our fundamental objection to the EU meddling in defence matters, I have had grave reservations about the scope and planning of this particular mission from the very beginning. It is wholly absurd to expect fewer than 4,000 troops to protect hundreds of thousands of refugees in an area twice the size of the United Kingdom. It is appalling that such a precarious operation was set in motion without a proper assessment of the threat, or provision of key equipments prior to deployment.
"The revelation that Russia will provide helicopters disturbs me even further. Helicopters play a crucial role for reconnaissance, tactical lift, logistical support and rapid response. They should have been one of the first things EU planners considered, but it seems they were the last.
"No European ally was willing to offer them. Now, as an afterthought, we are told that the Russians will provide the helicopters. Not only that, but Russia wishes to participate in the mission. What does this say about EU motives? It seems the EU is willing to turn to anyone, provided it is not the Americans. What a condemnation of EU policy!
"The crisis in Darfur and neighbouring areas of Chad and CAR requires an internationally co-ordinated, coherent policy - politically driven - that would include imposition of a no-fly zone - a task that only an organisation such as NATO is competent to undertake.
"The EU, meanwhile, should focus its efforts on the provision of humanitarian aid and assistance, where it might actually be able to add value instead of creating confusion."