Spaniards, Italians and Dutch as reinforcements (Maj)
(BRUSSELS2) Italian Foreign Minister Terzi confirmed this in Brussels on the sidelines of the meeting of Foreign Ministers. Italy will provide logistical support to the operation in Mali. Two C130 Hercules planes will be made available as well as a logistics team, which could be placed on an Italian base, in the south, as close as possible to Africa. Furthermore, Italy is going to get involved "with 24 soldiers for the EUTM Mali operation" said Minister Terzi, according to my colleague from TMnews. The total budget dedicated to this commitment would amount to approximately 1,9 million euros. This commitment still has to be submitted for approval to the national parliament (the resigning Monti government can only manage ordinary business and must obtain parliamentary approval for the commitment). But it should be done quickly” in the next few days a diplomat assured me.
Spain has already shown its support for the European operation EUTM Mali by promising around fifty personnel (from the Guardia Civile). It should also make available a C-130 type transport aircraft, or even air base type logistical support, if necessary. The presence of combat troops is, for the moment, not envisaged.
The Netherlands engage. The Dutch Cabinet (Government) will meet this Friday. It could decide to provide logistical transport support to ongoing operations in Mali. But, already, logistical support exists through the European transport pool (EATC). Apart from combat zones (Mali), Dutch planes can be engaged in transport for the benefit of French troops, on European territory (in France for example) but also towards Africa (Chad, Cöte d'Ivoire, .. .). (Update) Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert thus confirmed, Thursday, in the Chamber that a KDC-10 would make a flight soon to transport equipment to Africa.
