Will the Georgians come to Bangui? (Shift)
(BRUXELLES2 - exclusive) Will the Georgian company come to Bangui? The question may arise. Indeed, Georgia had set a condition for sending a company for the European stabilization operation in the Central African Republic (EUFOR RCA). That the European Member States ensure the transport of troops, board and lodging. A request which is not abnormal since it is the Europeans who have requested the help of Georgia to carry out this operation that they themselves are unable to assume.
However, the solution is simple: one or more States must decide to take out the checkbook and contribute a little to welcoming Georgians. It would not be illogical for states that contribute relatively little to this force to make this gesture. But, it seems that Europeans are reluctant to take out their wallets. And all the arguments are good... On the side of the Athena mechanism, which must support the common costs, we retort that this mechanism is not made to support the forces on the spot; this cannot be covered by common costs.
France, which assumes the role of framework nation, and has already filled in the existing "holes", believes that it has already done a lot. The other Member States are silent, argument of the electoral campaign for some, of budgetary difficulty for others, of crisis in the East for the third. Greece hosts the HQ. Germany has already taken out its checkbook through the Salis strategic transport. The Baltic countries have made a significant contribution. Spain and Italy - initially reluctant to send soldiers - finally announced a contribution. etc In short, once again it is the policy of the ostrich. And all the good reasons to go out. However, there is urgency. The Georgians were to arrive by mid-June on the spot. And their arrival in a way greatly conditions the full operational capability of the mission. If the Europeans persist in their collective bad faith, Tbilisi could return to its initial proposal: send only one platoon instead of a company! To your good heart, ladies and gentlemen...
NB: in our opinion, some countries do not really participate in the mission; they could therefore make a move: United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, Czech Republic, Austria, Croatia...
PS: On the side of the European Diplomatic Service, it is specified that the " deployment of the Georgian contingent is indeed planned by mid-June, with Swedish and British support. No lack of funding prevents this deployment from taking place on schedule. »
What is the meaning of a possible intervention by the Georgian army in the Central African Republic? Humanitarian operation or a mercenary approach? If Europe pays for Tbilisi's intervention, we are indeed in the second scenario. Not very glorious then.
A quick note about the list of countries should “make a move”.
The operation in Bangui does not fall within the framework of the general policy of the European Union but within that of a post-colonial action carried out by the former supervisory power, France.
So I don't see why countries like Ireland or Luxembourg that never had a colonial empire should join. Did Paris ask them for their green light before intervening? Those like the United Kingdom or Belgium which had a colonial empire take care above all of their meadows. When London intervened in Sierra Leone to put an end to the abuses of a civil war, France did not intervene in this case, neither militarily nor financially.