Operation EUFOR Chad. EU Chief of Staff explains to MEPs
(BRUSSELS2) Having come to give the latest details on the situation in Chad and the future of the Eufor mission, General David Leakey, EU Chief of Staff, confirmed, before the EP defense sub-committee, on February 14, that the " (air) deployment of the mission had resumed on Tuesday” and that the schedule defined at the start “could be held. “We lost two weeks. But the maritime deployment via Cameroon, just like the work on the Abêché airport, has not been interrupted” he said, adding that the " General Nash hopes to declare initial operational capability in mid-March, possibly late March. be a little late ».
The mandate of the mission remains the same protect civilian populations ". And this in a neutral way. " It's not about stopping the rebels or forces that want to destabilize President Déby he clarified. But with the current situation, in particular “ with 200 rebel pickups present in southeastern Chad — precisely in the area where Eufor is going to deploy — and the increase in looting, we will have to act differently ". " We will no doubt focus more on the troops escorting our convoys and those of the humanitarian agencies, and perhaps less on a more secure environment in these regions. It will probably take some time for the (displaced) populations to be able to return to their homes”.
Incidentally, General Leakey has defended the role of French troops in recent days at N'Djamena airport. " Guarding the airport is absolutely vital. not only for security but also for the economic development of the country, regardless of the president in office. It was therefore natural for the international community to ensure "to save this equipment" that would have had to be rebuilt otherwise he pointed out.
IMPLICATION OF SUDAN
Insisting on Eufor's neutrality, General Leakey specifically blamed Sudanese President El-Bashir who " had a great influence on the timing of the attack (of the rebels) and the material used”. We helped " This is a genuine attempt to prevent international activity and, in particular, Eufor, from functioning properly. “It is not in the interest of the rebels to attack Eufor " he added.
More generally, the EU Chief of Staff refuted the remarks on the delay in the generation of forces for Eufor Chad. " It took the same time as the other 4 operationse generation (Kosovo, Afghanistan…) he stated. " In Europe, we have troops, helicopters, logistics…. So it's not a military problem. he recalled. " But in some countries, there is perhaps a problem of political will (as) also of financial capacity ”.
(published in Europolitique, 15 February 2008)
