Belgian reinforcements in Afghanistan: too expensive say the “Finances”
(B2) Belgium will send reinforcements to Afghanistan for NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). This was confirmed by Defense Minister Pieter De Crem after a kern (restricted meeting of the Council of Ministers) on July 25, as confirmed by a communicated of the Belgian Ministry.
150 men and 4 F16 planes as reinforcements
A unit of 55 Engineers will leave quickly, at the beginning of August. Their mission: to develop the surfaces and installations necessary for the F16s on the Kandahar base, in the south of the country, the most dangerous. In September, a detachment of 100 people and 4 F16 aircraft will join them. The F16s will operate in liaison with the Dutch, for a period of six months, renewable by decision of the Council of Ministers. The Belgians are already present in the country: in the north, in Kundunz, in a PRT (provincial reconstruction team), under German leadership; and in Kabul, in another PRT, as well as at the airport, where they play the role of framework nation, until October 1, 2008.
Cost of the operation: 14,31 million euros for 2008, or approximately 20 million euros for six months. This additional contribution is too much according to the Belgian finance inspectorate, which gave an unfavorable rating, considering that the project is not "sustainable" from a budgetary point of view, unless it gives up another mission abroad. Belgian troops are already present in Kosovo, Lebanon or the Congo.
(NGV)
Photo credit: F16 in flight, Belgian army
