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The head of EUTM RCA brushes up on Parliament. A lack of respect ? (A. Danjean) (v2)

(B2) MEP Arnaud Danjean, specialist in defense and security issues at the European Parliament, did not hide his disappointment during the meeting of the SEDE (security and defense) subcommittee, Thursday morning (15.10)

Arnaud Danjean (credit: PE)

Even before the president of the sub-committee, Nathalie Loiseau (Renew / LREM), could present the main points of the meeting, the French MEP (EPP / LR) intervened on the agenda: “ I was quite disappointed to learn last night that the mission commander of the military operation in the Central African Republic [Paulo Neves de Abreu] would not be present at this hearing for reasons, we are told, operational. »

Of the interest of parliamentary work

On his way, he recalls, in an annoyed tone: " The hearings of commanders and heads of mission and operations are something important for our sub-committee. Each head of mission is roughly commissioned only once during the term of office. »

New summons required

For him, this absence is equivalent to a lack of respect for Parliament ". Known for not keeping his tongue in his pocket, he adds that " personally he will not take part in the next debate on the Central African Republic. But he warns that he won't let go: " I will ask that we expressly have a hearing with this head of mission, specific head of operation in the coming weeks. »

Disappointment on the benches of the SEDE

The president of the sub-committee wanted to be placid: I also share the disappointment. Simply the life of a Head of Mission is full of surprises and last minute changes like that of a Member of the European Parliament and sometimes a little more. "" In reality, the head of mission was invited to participate in a meeting with the president of Central Africa, it was probably quite difficult for him to explain that he was not available She explained.

(update) A word of excused absence

The absence of the head of mission during the hearing of the defense sub-committee was fully justified, learned B2. And this happened with the consent and even the order of his superiors. The Portuguese General Paulo Neves de Abreu was, indeed, to meet for the first time the President of the Central African Republic. A key point. The head of the mission is indeed the defense adviser to the Central African president. An institutional position, enshrined by decree. So it was with General Peltier, the Portuguese's predecessor at EUTM RCA. For the Europeans, ensuring the succession at this post is strategic, while the Russians are keeping watch. " A hearing in the European Parliament can be rescheduled we are told. On the other hand, it is difficult to give up on the Central African president. An explanation that was transmitted a posteriori in detail to MEPs.

(Hannah Guérin St. with NGV)


Commentary: a slow slide into the unknown

The parliamentary question hides another, that of general communication. Heads of missions and operations no longer come to report, with a few (very rare) exceptions, to the European press on their distant action. Ten years ago, not a month or two went by without a brief press briefing from one or other of the heads of missions or operations passing through Brussels. Today, there is no longer a single press briefing per year. It is unfortunate and harmful. This does not really contribute to making known these missions of the Europeans, which now take place outside the media field. If we asked a citizen today to name three main missions, he would be quite unable to do so. This explains (in part) the current weak tropism of Member States to engage in CSDP. Of course, we cannot say everything. But between saying nothing and saying everything, there are margins that are not, or at least no longer, exploited.

(NGV)


Read also about EUTM Rca:

Updated on 23.10 on the comment and with the § on the justification of absence

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One thought on “The head of EUTM RCA brushes up on Parliament. A lack of respect ? (A. Danjean) (v2)"

  • Gonzague MOYON

    Mr. Danjean, from the height of his pedestal and his 11 years of MEP, does he know that the new commander of EUTM RCA has just taken office? Account for what after a month in office? Will the subcommittee stop working and thinking if it doesn't have its report? And would a report on one month of function be sufficiently fleshed out?
    Or are we witnessing the act of the king, annoyed that a “little” general dared to attack his dignity?
    Or does it risk damaging the image of the good LR draped in European dignity ahead of the 2022 election?
    A little serious please!

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