Kouchner was right: Monuc must be strengthened in the Congo

(B2) Between intervening directly and strengthening MONUC, the European Union had, it seems, chosen a few days ago: do nothing... Read "I failed to convince, by Bernard Kouchner. All the arguments were good: MONUC had enough troops, the situation was difficult, ... read "I was not given the order to act", by David Leakey, EU Chief of Staff. Neither tactical groups, nor MONUC reinforcements, therefore. Even setting up an airlift to bring humanitarian aid to Goma still seemed too daring! Only the Belgian government had dispatched - very quickly - a Hercules C130 military plane which shuttles between Goma and Kinshasa (it has already made 6 rotations and 4 others are already planned). He should be joined on November 14 by a United Nations plane (UNHAS).

A meeting today in Brussels. Faced with the worsening of the situation (see below), and the regular calls for help
NGOs, is this wait-and-see attitude changing? Yes it seems. The French presidency has decided to return to the charge today. At the moment, a lunch is being held at the Political and Security Committee, in the presence of Louis Michel, the European Commissioner responsible for humanitarian aid (read his interview 10 days ago). There are two tracks on the agenda: 1) the methods of strengthening the United Nations mission (Monuc) and 2) the rapid establishment of a coordinated humanitarian logistics operation to come to the aid of the populations of Kivu. (read the possible EU initiatives).

British and American developments. The British and Americans no longer rule out strengthening MONUC. Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister, confirmed yesterday in New York that it was necessary to strengthen MONUC and that he was going to vote in this direction at the Security Council. "We must not shirk our responsibilities." And US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer called for a Security Council decision along these lines, "Hopefully within a week or two there can be a Security Council decision."

It was time, 15 days wasted...

Non-intervention is in contradiction with the philosophy of the ESDP. The first objective and the philosophy of the ESDP is to ensure the protection of civilians, as it appears in the missions defined in Petersberg and in article 17 of the EU Treaty. Not sending the rapid reaction force was perhaps justified for a number of reasons (see David Leakey). It had no philosophical, and therefore political, foundation.

Kouchner was right. We must recognize it. Bernard Kouchner can sometimes annoy, for his media interpersonal skills or his enthusiasm for wanting to involve the army, for a yes or a no. But his position - at the end of October - to involve an EU battlegroup was totally justified. Intuitively, the former humanitarian adventurer knew well that there is a moment when it is possible, when it is necessary to intervene. That moment was there. what followed proved - and will prove - that he was right. The rout of the Congolese army, its participation in looting and violence against the population are unmistakable signs. We will thus have lost many precious days...

Return on a false argument: that of the number of men of MONUC. The too often heard argument of 16-17 men for Monuc, that's enough, is a false strategic argument. 000 men is neither more nor less NATO's strength in Kosovo (for a territory 16 times smaller, and much less complicated). As far as I know, no one asks whether there are really too many men in Kosovo. 000-250 men is also the force deployed in Sierra Leone, a territory thirty times smaller. So in view of the size of Kosovo, and its complexity, 16 men is rather not enough than too much. The question of the homogeneity of the force and the rules of engagement of the soldiers of MONUC can also arise? But this question is not really new, it is intrinsically asked during any United Nations mission which remains above all a juxtaposition of national forces (NB: this question is less significant in EU missions where the "caveats" are more limited and the force commander has much greater job autonomy). Last but not least: sending troops to the Congo (Indians, Pakistanis...) who speak only English should not really help...

Displaced persons, rapes, uncontrolled zone, lhe humanitarian situation is becoming critical

• According to the reports of the United Nations Humanitarian Office, the situation in the east of Goma is not as peaceful as certain Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 27 wanted to suggest, during their meeting on November 10 . The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) thus provided the Goma hospital with intrauterine devices for 30 people and post-rape equipment, and made available to Kibati "drugs for charged with sexual violence...

• As for the World Food Programme, it amounts to one million displaced people : 750 displaced and 000 taken in by families, in North Kivu alone (200 following the recent conflict, including 000 in the last few days); 250 and 000 for South Kivu.

• Finally, humanitarian assistance in certain areas is increasingly difficult "given the volatility of the security situation" explains a European expert. During a security meeting, the organizations agreed that the convoys should leave from Goma, escorted by MONUC. UNHCR is considering creating a third camp in Mugunga for people in Kibati camp given the security risks there.

• According to a report byIRIN, the information service of the United Nations Humanitarian Office: "Although the rebels have promised to create humanitarian corridors to allow the passage of aid convoys, few organizations believe that the current security situation allows the delivery of aid by truck to help all the populations, in the most affected regions." Et "Tens of thousands of people are currently trapped in the areas where they have taken refuge, with little food, shelter or medical care". In Kiwanja, testifies a farmer, "Since the arrival of the rebels, we have not received any external aid and today the situation is becoming very serious."