The EU would send 1000 men on the ground in Libya? Is that so !
(BRUXELLES2) Rumors are spreading at lightning speed. The EU would like to deploy 1.000 men on the ground in Libya (*). Is it true ? Is this wrong? ... What seems certain is that there are several options on the table at the European level, and not just one, depending on what the UN will ask for (and according to the assessment coming from the field). And, there seems to have been a happy mix among some colleagues between several options to arrive at this figure. Explanations
A maritime evacuation operation can mobilize around 1.000 men. But not automatically 1.000 men down! The vast majority of the military will be present on board the ships (a corvette or a frigate, it's between 100 and 200 people) to ensure the sealift (Misrata, even Tripoli) or planes to ensure the airlift (Benghazi or other cities). It will simply take a few dozen men on the ground: for the logistical part, even to secure the evacuation (to prevent civilians from being shot) as well as medical teams (for conditioning and sorting the wounded). But it will be a very limited presence, the time of the evacuations. Unless you want to carry out a totally secure evacuation of Misrata, type Ivory Coast, with armored vehicles, street by street extraction. Which does not currently seem very possible.
The other option on the table is to establish logistical structures for the reception of refugees and displaced persons. But not in Libya. In Tunisia or Niger for example! In other words, it's not quite 1000 soldiers deployed in Libya as they say. At least, in the state of thinking today. " We are not going to land with thousands of men. This is not the Vietnam War” replies, not without humour, a European diplomat.
(*) Powered by a EUXTV video recorded on April 12 but broadcast several days later and containing a title that does not really reflect the content, and an article from The Guardian which echoed on the strength of information, drawn from the office of the High Representative, of the possibility of landing a military force of 1000 men ashore.
