EU peacekeepers soon in the DR of Congo

[HershOstropoler]

Dan, that's what I meant. Sheesh.

First year lawyer training.

[Colon™]

Originally posted by DanS
No. I view Congo as influence trying to be bought cheaply.

Get a sense of perspective. Bunia is 2000 kilometres away from Kinshasa, it's not even a major city in the region. And it's again half a continent away from Katanga

There are three major rebels forces, that fight each other as much as they used to fight Kabila sr. Those 3 are nominally led by 2 neighbours that are constantly drawn back in because of their own civil wars, willingly or otherwise. Then you have dozens of murderous militia that would make Saddam blush in their cruelty, and then a couple of ethnic conflicts to sugarcoat it all.
Concepts like central authorithy, infrastructure, education and healthcare are nearly non-existent there. Heck that state called "Democratic Republic of Congo" exists only in nominal terms.

What kind of influence is there to be won? Some town on the edge of the biggest hellhole on Earth? Sure, that's a great price alright.

[cinch]

Related Article:

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MPs want Canada to take lead in Congo
Last Updated Thu, 05 Jun 2003 18:36:00
OTTAWA - A multi-party group of parliamentarians called on Canada to lead the way in stopping the mass killings in Congo.


"The prime minister should now place wake-up calls to the international community," said Liberal MP Irwin Cotler.

Cotler was joined at a news conference on Parliament Hill by the Canadian Alliance's Keith Martin, Francine Lalonde of the Bloc Québécois, and New Democrat Libby Davies.


They all want Canada to do more to stop the bloodshed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than three million people have died since 1997.

"This is a genocide," said Martin. "We have done almost nothing to stop it."

The UN decided last week to send 1,400 troops to Ituri province, where hundreds of people have been killed over the past few weeks in ethnic fighting. Canada is sending aircraft and as many as 50 personnel.

"Too little and very late," Cotler said.

Martin said a "peace-making force" was needed. He called on the international community to put pressure on Congo's neighbours – Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe – to stop arming proxy forces in the conflict.

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All... parties... agreeing?

Hopefully this will be productive.

[Lonestar]

Originally posted by Saint Marcus
no wimpy peacekeepers indeed...the French will send in some very good forces.

Maybe the Legionaires...if they aren't too busy killing the Ivory Coastians.

If there are only 1400 troops deployed "Including mechanized forces", said French mechanized forces would make the Stryker look like heavy armor.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by cinch
All... parties... agreeing?

Hopefully this will be productive.

Isn't Canada stretched a little thin right now with signifigant commitments in Bosnia (remember them?) and sending troops to Afghanistan? I think this is little more than a feel good exercise for Cretin.

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by BeBro


I´m not sure we have three airmobile brigades

IIRC, you don't, between all the EU members.

You should have, though.

[cinch]

DD:

Isn't Canada stretched a little thin right now with signifigant commitments in Bosnia (remember them?) and sending troops to Afghanistan? I think this is little more than a feel good exercise for Cretin.

That's why we're only sending 50 people and some materials (eg. planes). It's too little, yes (as if the 1400), but it's a start.

[Pekka]

They should send 2REP, some parachute commandos, true fighters of all origins and kick some ass. These guys as absolute machines let me tell you that much, after seeing their training videos.. just fill few Hercules planes with these guys and it will be over in no time.

I think, maybe peacekeepers COULD be correct move for this situation. I don't agree, that many times when peacekeepers has been sent, that it was a wise move. Often too early. They're supposed to be sent after the fighting. This way, they only let both or all sides strengthen too much, supply them all, just waiting it to blow in their hands. I think the aftermath can be worse this way. I'm all for strong attacks, pounding both sides violating the rules and when they're weak and dead, then send the peacekeepers.

I think they should let this operation go to some PMC. These guys are _effective_ and perhaps the most professional and skilled. It would be cost effective too. When ever it gets hairy, send these guys in. I was too lazy to read this thread because it was so long, but I assume this is about those pygmis being in trouble with some cannibals who thinks eating them is a good idea?
If so, don't send peacekeepers. Send PMC operatives who makes it clear that if you eat these little guys, you get shot right in the face. Should work. Or if it's about rebels who are illegal and criminal, again, if you continue you get shot for sure. When they are all dead or surrendered, then send the peacekeepers.

[Chemical Ollie]

Why don't you go Pekka? Sweden is sending troops, isn't Finland?

[HershOstropoler]

Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat


IIRC, you don't, between all the EU members.

You should have, though.

If that's the case, we should buy those toys.

[LoneWolf]

Someone earlier said they were wondering when the Americans would jump in here and ruin it all for you (well, not quite that, but close). Interesting that none really have.
As far as I can see, most Amis have given up on this Forum.
Have fun now, ya'll!

[TheStinger]

Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat


IIRC, you don't, between all the EU members.

You should have, though.

The Uk has one, The French have one, I would have thoguth the Germans could rustle one up.

The Spanish and Italians could probaly form one jointly.

Of course whether they want to is another matter.

[Panag]

hi ,

today the belgians came up with operation "Mamba" , two c-130's and a small airbus or boeing together with 18 people , mainly medics , ......

ones again the belgian gov has not learnt from its mistakes in 94 , no protection goes along , there are going to be made some agreements with the french on security but no details as of today yet , .....

and while the whole world talks and does not act a human drama unfolds itself ones more in africa , .....

all it would take would be MTG's units and about six months to two years , .......

but that seems to be to much effort from the world , ....

have a nice day

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by TheStinger


The Uk has one, The French have one, I would have thoguth the Germans could rustle one up.

The Spanish and Italians could probaly form one jointly.

Of course whether they want to is another matter.

Airmobile, or paras?

Germany, Spain and Italy certainly have the constituent parts, but the integration of those into a cohesive force takes time - getting everyone used to working together in the sort of high-intensity specialized support you need for airmobile warfare.

[Pekka]

Olaf, peacekeeping isn't for me . Besides, I didn't go for Rapid Deployment stuff when I was serving even though I thought of it. And those are the only ones going from here now. Plus, with my past, you can't get into the troops because they want saints. I don't have a 'past' but they want people with traffic violations max. So even if I wanted to go, I wouldn't be accepted. Besides, I don't believe in peacekeeping. I think the whole ideology is twisted, even though they mean to do good. I just think differently, and I don't want to have anything to do with these guys. My friend was in Kosovo, and after hearing some stories and life in there, I wouldn't want to go. It's the whole thing and how it works. The guys serving there are sure good and they're doing their best but the system is twisted and it doesn't work.

If there's going to be some action, they can't react effectively and the whole command system and rules of engagement are straight from hell. And it's not just that, but everyone knows it. So I don't need special rules so that I can fire when I feel like it, but if I know I can't fire in any case except when the hell freezes over, it's bad.
And that said, what are they even doing there? Standing, looking tough so maybe they can stabilize the situation with their presence? To me, they are more like police and humanitarian type of troops. All in all, it's not for me and even if it was (I could go for one short rotation just for the heck of it), I couldn't get in.