EUMM Georgia declared operational
(BRUSSELS2) 1 October. On time, as provided for in the ceasefire agreement signed with the Russians, which in itself is a "happy surprise" from Defense Europe, EU Observers deployed in Georgia. And Javier Solana, the High Representative of the Union was present yesterday in Tbilisi to welcome the event (his speech here).
White uniform, blue beret, blue armband with 12 yellow stars… the observers – whether military, police, civilian – now all have the same uniform. Only the armored vehicles – around fifty – have not been repainted. Too fast. But blue stickers, glued on each side, as well as the "EummXX" license plates clearly identify the vehicles.
Observers come from different backgrounds. And it will not be the slightest challenge for this operation to have the mobile gendarme or the carabinieri – from the military corps – work according to the same methods, the same capacities for reacting to possible incidents, the German or Polish police, the experts of Swedish or Austrian human rights. They weren't trained together. Paradoxically, this civilian mission harbors just as many – if not more – difficulties than a military operation, where with the help of NATO, the same modus operandi could be born...
be prohibited). The army, a state within the Russian state, will probably not allow itself to be tamed so quickly by its policies. And European diplomacy will, perhaps, have to show its muscles by October 10... Although Russia has shown - several signs in recent weeks - its desire to regain its full place in the "concert of nations".
(NGV)
