EU deployment to the DROC

[Old Redeye]

EU troops to DRC
HELMOED-RöMER HEITMAN; JDW Correspondent;
Cape Town

The EU is considering the deployment of a 1,250-strong task force to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to provide security during the elections there in June.

The EU will evaluate three options being prepared by its staffers. The simplest would be a deployment of 250 military personnel focused on intelligence and security. The intermediate option adds 200 troops and some air transport assets. The most ambitious option would add a further 800 troops, most of them forming a rapid reaction force. In the latter case, some of the troops would be based outside the DRC.

In 2003 the EU deployed an interim emergency force to the conflict-plagued Ituri region in the northeast of the DRC. This force comprised mainly French troops with French Air Force Mirage 2000s and a small South African Air Force Oryx helicopter detachment in support. It helped stabilise Ituri until the UN mission in the DRC could build up its force strength sufficiently to take over. This emergency force was based in Kampala, Uganda.

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi there
it's rather galling to think how long it takes to actually deploy the so-called emergency response force...uh,let's send em next June.Why not now? Uh, we have to ask the baddies if we can go first.....bit pointless,really.The people who need the protection will be dead and the survivors will be displaced refugees...Any response force needs to be able to deploy within a week or two, at most.Also, given the negative political history attached to Ireland's previous participation in the Congo (Niemba dead,etc), there might be dail opposition to going there, at all.
regards
GttC

[Fouga]

Niemba? Please explain for all us young un's

[sealion]

Quote (Fouga @ 24 Feb. 2006,19:36)

Niemba? Please explain for all us young un's

Hang your head in shame.

[RMR]

 

[Hess]

What?'>?'>?

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi there
When Irish forces deployed to the Congo in 1960-1962, an ambush by Baluba tribesmen left nine Irish dead.Other Irish died in other battles and accidents but the Niemba ambush, more than any other UN-related Irish combat service, still resonates to this day because there is controversy about the fate of the last to die, one Trooper Browne.There are two survivors of that particular fight still alive and there is a dispute about awarding medals that still rages.
regards
GttC

[Fouga]

Quote (sealion @ 24 Feb. 2006,12:28)

Hang your head in shame.

Like i said "Young Un's" GTTC please continue.

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi all
Among many other things, the Army lads that went out there were equipped with bolt-action rifles, elderly armoured cars, bulls-wool clothing,etc to face an enemy equipped with modern weapons,better armour and, of all things, a Fouga flown by a mercenary,who scared the daylights out of the UN(the same UN who had eventually to bring in Indian Canberras and Swedish J29s to defeat the Fouga(s).The Irish were hindered by a penny-pinching Department of Finance and questionable leadership and despite this, they managed to prevail in their first "grown-up" war.Redeye will also join me in pointing out the fact that the Irish were brought out there in C130s and Globemasters.The photos of all this, to be seen in Baldonnel and other places, clearly reflect the naivety and complete ignorance of what awaited the men going out there.This was reflected in the public gaze.It was all portrayed as a great big adventure,lots of fun,etc, until the deaths at Niemba knocked the country and the Army for six.That whole period caused a huge shake-up in the public and political attitude to the Army, the UN and overseas service.It also shook the army from top to bottom and prompted a beginning of refitting and rearming that has continued to this day.
That enough for ya?
regards
GttC

[sealion]

As a marker to the attitudes of the time, the common shout given to soldiers heading for the congo was "shoot some lions for us willya" or similar phrases.
A worse reflection though is that many of the deaths in Niemba were caused by arrows.

[pilatus]

that was then this is now!we are better equipped and i would have to say god be with any daft bugger who would want to take a shot at an irish armoured column!we have learned our lessons since then!if anyone were stupid enough to take a shot at our troops they would be dead before they hit the ground!

[Fouga]

Well said Pilatus

[Buran]

Quote

if anyone were stupid enough to take a shot at our troops they would be dead before they hit the ground!

Rambo style?
this is just my opinion, but i would prefer to think of our armed forces as the professional peacekeepers i think their previous tours have proved them to be.
I think we would do well to preserve that image abroad given the impression other nations are creating for themselves at the moment. I dont think we want to be lumped in with them.

[Old Redeye]

Famous last words Pilatus.  Never underestimate an enemy.  I do believe Custer held similar views before heading off to the Little Big Horn, or the Brits to Isandwala - or how about the poor Belgian UN troops in the early days of Rwanda who died in place.

[pilatus]

i think of them as professional peacekeepers too!but i stand by what i said!i believe they have the firepower to look after themselves!compare the weapons amd our weapons last time we were in congo and compare the same now!what we have against what we could potentially have to face in combat!its just as dangereous as liberia was!