Despite appeals from the United Nations for peacekeeping troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the European Union is hesitant to commit. Germany, in particular, prefers a diplomatic solution...."It is urgent that we take a decision on such a bridging force (to DR Congo), which to my mind is absolutely necessary," said Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht....Some 250,000 civilians have been displaced in the east of the DR Congo since the summer as a result of renewed clashes between government forces and Tutsi rebels led by renegade general Laurent Nkunda.De Gucht said an EU mission would need up to 3,000 heavily-armed soldiers, which would fill in immediate shortages.Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said the EU should consider deploying its battle groups...."If we don't send them to Congo, where do we send them?" Stubb asked.
..."It is urgent that we take a decision on such a bridging force (to DR Congo), which to my mind is absolutely necessary," said Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht.
...Some 250,000 civilians have been displaced in the east of the DR Congo since the summer as a result of renewed clashes between government forces and Tutsi rebels led by renegade general Laurent Nkunda.
De Gucht said an EU mission would need up to 3,000 heavily-armed soldiers, which would fill in immediate shortages.
Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said the EU should consider deploying its battle groups.
..."If we don't send them to Congo, where do we send them?" Stubb asked.
Perhaps into a lost war in Afghanistan?... *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
European foreign ministers are divided over calls to send troops to the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. Belgium urged the deployment of a "bridging" force but other members of the bloc were lukewarm on the idea. The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the EU on Friday to send in troops until UN reinforcements arrive. The Brussels meeting came as the first direct talks between representatives of the Congolese government and CNDP rebels were held in Kenya.
European foreign ministers are divided over calls to send troops to the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo.
Belgium urged the deployment of a "bridging" force but other members of the bloc were lukewarm on the idea.
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the EU on Friday to send in troops until UN reinforcements arrive.
The Brussels meeting came as the first direct talks between representatives of the Congolese government and CNDP rebels were held in Kenya.
