Earthquake in Haiti. Return of the 1st rescue teams. Departure of a security team (Maj)
The 38 members of the Belgian and Luxembourg USAR (Urban Search and Rescue Team) teams are due to return this evening by the Belgian defense Airbus A330 (1). According to the United Nations, and the teams themselves, given the climatic circumstances, there is very little chance of finding survivors. " The chances of success had become too slim explains Belgian diplomacy.
The protection of the hospital in question. Part of the B-Fast team stayed behind to set up the field hospital. This “is fully operational” we are assured on the Belgian side. " But the security of this hospital is not yet optimal ". Diplomats have asked the United Nations to provide immediate protection. A Belgian security team should relay them. " La Défense is currently organizing the urgent departure of this team » we are assured on the Belgian side. 30 special forces and VIP protection soldiers left on Sunday evening.
Comment. Some felt that the presence of a European "battlegroup" was not not justified. The reality on the ground and the American example, like the French (who have put teams of gendarmes with them), and now Belgian, would rather show the opposite. We can therefore ask ourselves a question: is this non-commitment not justified rather for reasons more internal to the States which currently make up the on-call battlegroups (political or simply budgetary reasons)? In any case, the Europe of Security and Defense has lost a great opportunity...
(1)22 from B-FAST and 16 for Luxembourg. The plane also brings back 66 repatriated people, mainly Belgians but also some Europeans and Africans (French, Congolese, etc.).
It is more than the Europe of Defense because in this case, it is not a question of defense but of Security in the broadest sense of the term, it is political Europe! Because the difficulties encountered by the European crews on their arrival in the area also testify to a huge failure in the system of global negotiation of the agreements required (to land, park, circulate, protect, etc.)! And there, the pb is diplomatic!
Hi,
Indeed, Europe has lost a good opportunity to act united. It's a pity for the Europeans and especially for the Haitians… She can still make up for the reconstruction.
cordially