B2 The Daily of Geopolitical Europe. News. Files. Reflections. Reports

News BlogAmericasCivil protection

Caribbean. French, Dutch and British join forces. Finally !

At tactical HQ (credit: DICOD / EMA)

(B2) The British, French and Dutch have just launched the joint operation to deal with the cascading hurricanes that hit the Caribbean. Stated objective of the "Albatross" operation: " better coordinate their efforts in the face of the logistical challenge they face in their respective territories (1).

A big logistics hub

This structure, called Multinational Caribbean Coordination Cell (MNCCC), intends to establish and monitor the logistics situation in the area in real time ". The goal is " to identify pooling and optimization options for the benefit of the various national operations in progress “As well as all the other actors on the spot (public bodies, international organizations and NGOs), as explained in a press release from the French armies. In practice, we will draw up a list of the means available on the spot (ships, aircraft and helicopters), as well as strategic transport (sea, air) coming from Europe, to avoid unnecessary costs and have more influence on the spot.

A HQ at the strategic level

Two headquarters will thus be established. The first will be established at the “strategic” (politico-military) level, responsible for “centralising and monitoring information concerning 'long distance' movements between Europe and the Caribbean. It could be established in close liaison with the headquarters of EATC, the European transport command centre, established in Eindhoven in the Netherlands and which brings together seven European countries (but not the United Kingdom). It will broadcast what is called in military terms a "Full Logistic Strategic Picture (FLSP)" at the operational level.

A tactical PC in Curaçao

The second will be established at the operational level, in Curaçao on the site of the Dutch naval base of Parera. This small coordination PC, which is already operating temporarily, according to our information, will be responsible for ensuring " the synthesis and monitoring of deployments, devices, resources and military movements throughout the Caribbean ". It will thus have the ability to respond in real time “to the needs expressed by the national authorities” by identifying in advance the means of transport available. This PC will be placed under the orders of a French colonel and will bring together around twenty soldiers from the armies of the three nations involved.

A decision taken at the political level

The decision to create this coordination structure was taken very recently, this week, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. But she follows a few talks between ministers, notably in Tallinn, on the sidelines of the gymnich, the informal meeting of foreign ministers on 7 September.

A first operational capacity is expected for September 24, full capacity is expected for September 27. The duration of the mission should be one to two months.

An important step

This is an “important step” for Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders. " We can agree on everything at government level, but it's the help on the spot that is the main thing. There are small islands with many practical and specific questions. “he underlined at the microphone of the television channel ONGOING. The Dutchman recognizes however that between the two parts of the island of Saint-Martin, French and Dutch, we don't really talk a lot. " Between the French and the Dutch, relations are good, but historically there have been tensions between them, because they are governed differently. We need to improve cooperation »

Comment: FINALLY!

For rather predictable hurricanes and tornadoes, it took a long time for the three countries to decide to coordinate their efforts. Until now, it was a bit every man for himself. The extent of the damage but also the breath of criticism that ran through national public opinion, in France, but also in the United Kingdom (read: The Royal Navy rows) and even in the Netherlands (2) got the better of petty national selfishness. This coordination structure is a kind of test for the European logistics hub project, planned within the framework of permanent structured cooperation, or more assertive coordination of a response to disasters.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

(1) These include St Martin and St Barthélémy, Guadeloupe and Martinique, on the French side; Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao Saint-Martin, Saba and Saint-Eustache on the Dutch side; Antigua and Barbuda former British possession.

(2) In the daily NRC Handelsblad, the Prime Minister of Saint Martin, William Marlin, had this harsh word for the Dutch marines. " We were looted. The marines watched and did nothing. »

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

s2Member®