General Bentegeat back from a meals tour in Chad
(B2) A small red brick building, away from the Belgian military school. This is where Henri Bentegeat established his offices in Brussels
The former French chief of staff is now at the head of the Military Committee, the highest politico-military body of the European Union, which is responsible for monitoring the establishment of Defense Europe. The general has just returned from a “meals tour” in Chad, a field he knows well since he commanded the Marches du Tchad regiment and has made numerous stays there for various operations. In the east of the country, close to Sudanese Darfur, a European mission is currently being deployed: 2400 soldiers are already there out of a total of 3700 expected by June. Their mission: to secure the area and reassure civilian populations and NGOs.
“It is the most important military operation that Europe has ever carried out assures the general. " The area covered is very large, in difficult terrain, where violence against civilians (thefts, rapes, etc.) is legion ". And, for the first time, the mission was fully prepared, planned and ordered at European level ».
It is indeed an Irishman, General Nash, who commands the operation. And “I can assure you that he is not doing extras” explains the French general. The forces are also very mixed. If France provides a good part of the backbone of the operation (logistics…), the Poles and Irish – helped by Swedes, Finns, Belgians and Dutch – are numerous. A strong presence of neutral countries which is, for the general, the " sign of a certain maturity " from Europe.
“The American ambassador I met in N'Djamena told me 'I didn't believe Europe was capable of this, it's a real achievement'”. And, encouraging sign, this presence begins to produce these fruits. “Where our troops are already deployed and patrolling, such as in Farchana (with the Porpoises of the Marine Tank Infantry Regiment) or in Goz Beïda, with the Irish, we can see the beginnings of security. Incidents are decreasing. » Defense Europe “is built step by step ».
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
Read full interview: Gen. Bentegeat: "Eufor Tchad, the mark of a certain maturity"
© Photos: EU Military Committee / P. Bressan
