|
EU Willing to Take on Bosnian Peace Role
EFL World WireROME -- European Union defense ministers on Saturday offered to take over peacekeeping in Bosnia from NATO by the middle of next year, a move that could free up U.S. troops for other hot spots. EU officials said the switch could also mean a reduction in the size of the Bosnian peace mission by about half to 6,000, though ministers said it was too early to fix a firm number of troops needed. Britain offered to lead the force, which would be the EU's most ambitious operation since it launched a joint military structure at the beginning of this year. The United States and other NATO nations would have to agree before the alliance hands over the Bosnian mission, something Washington had been reluctant to do. However, with U.S. forces stretched in Iraq and Afghanistan, European officials said they did not expect Washington to object. "My understanding is that the Pentagon should be favorable to a reduction of its commitments in the Balkans because they already have so much going on," Italian Defense Minister Antonio Martino told a news conference. Snip Emphasizing the bloc's expanding defense ambitions, Martino said there was wide backing for a French plan for the EU to set up a force of paramilitary police units -- similar to the French gendarmerie or Italy's carabinieri -- able to support military peacekeepers. Such forces are seen as increasingly needed to back nation-building efforts in states emerging from civil strive to help local authorities restore order and fight crime. I was pretty down on the plan to have a military arm of the EU. Looks like I was in error. The idea of being able to bring in gendermerie, carabinieri and/or guadia civille looks like a real plus. Posted by: Super Hose 2003-10-04 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=19471 |