17 European Security and Defence Policy:
EU military mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
| (27500)
—
| Council Joint Action to launch the EU military operation in support of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
|
| Legal base | Articles 14, 25(3) and 28(3) EU; unanimity
|
| Department | Foreign and Commonwealth Office
|
| Basis of consideration | Minister's letter and EM of 17 May 2006
|
| Previous Committee Report | None; but see HC 34-xxv (2005-06), para 14 (19 April 2006)
|
| To be discussed in Council | 12 June 2006 General Affairs and External Relations Council
|
| Committee's assessment | Politically important
|
| Committee's decision | Cleared, but further information requested
|
Background
17.1 The preamble to Council Joint Action 2006/319/CFSP, which
was adopted by the Council on 27 April 2006,[58]
recalled:
- that on 28 October 2005, the United Nations Security Council
adopted Resolution 1635 (2005) on the situation in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC), in which it inter alia reaffirmed
its support for the process of the Global and All Inclusive Agreement
on the Transition in DRC, signed on 17 December 2002 and underlined
the importance of elections as the foundation for the longer-term
restoration of peace and stability, national reconciliation and
establishment of the rule of law in DRC; which Resolution extended
the mandate of the United Nations Organisation Mission in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) was until 30 September
2006;
- the European Union is committed to supporting
the transition process in the DRC and the Council has to that
effect inter alia adopted Joint Actions on two current
missions: Joint Action 2004/874/CFSP on the European Union Police
Mission in Kinshasa (DRC) regarding the Integrated Police Unit
(EUPOL Kinshasa) and Joint Action 2005/355/CFSP on the European
Union mission to provide advice and assistance for security sector
reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (EUSEC RD Congo);
- in 2003, the European Union, under Joint Action
2003/423/CFSP, conducted a military operation in the DRC, Operation
Artemis, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution
1484 (2003);
- on 20 February 2006, the Council adopted Joint
Action 2006/122/CFSP extending the mandate of Mr Aldo Ajello as
the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the African
Great Lakes Region; and
- by letter dated 27 December 2005, the United
Nations Under Secretary General for Peace keeping Operations invited
the European Union to consider the possibility of deploying a
military force to the Democratic Republic of Congo to assist MONUC
during the electoral process.
17.2 That Joint Action authorises an EU-led military
operation in support of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) during
the forthcoming election period, which is scheduled for the second
half of June, and would end four months after the elections. The
basis for the Joint Action is for a small but visible force based
in Kinshasa with a larger force held in reserve "over-the-horizon",
ready to deploy, if required. The overall size of the force was
anticipated to be approximately 1000. The UK's commitments elsewhere
would mean that its contribution would be minimal. EUFOR RD Congo,
as the force was to be named, would provide support to but not
substitute for MONUC; nor operate in areas where MONUC already
had sufficient resources; and might be involved in the following
tasks: support to MONUC stabilisation efforts, personnel recovery
(including but not exclusively EU election monitors), securing
Njili airport and intelligence support to MONUC. Separately the
EU would provide mapping support to MONUC via the EU satellite
centre. The parameters — political control and strategic
direction, reporting requirements, relations with the UN, the
DRC and "other international actors", possible participation
by non-European NATO states and EU candidate countries and financial
arrangements — closely followed the text of, and therefore
the arrangements in, previous decisions on ESDP military operations.
The Joint Action set a financial reference figure of €16.7
million for the anticipated period of the mission to be administered
under the ATHENA mechanism.[59]
Optional common cost items (transportation costs other than for
the force HQ and barracks and accommodation costs) would not be
treated as common costs for this mission. The UK financial contribution
was to be €2.93 million.
17.3 When we cleared the Report on 19 April, we recognised
that the case was compelling, but asked that when he submitted
the current Joint Action launching the mission, the Minister would
not only clarify the unresolved issues to which he drew attention
(e.g., troop numbers), but which other than EU Member States were
expected to participate and whether the "international actors"
referred to would include NATO.
The draft Joint Action
17.4 In his letter, the Minister for Europe (Mr
Geoffrey Hoon) explains that the General Affairs and External
Relations Council (GAERC) is expected to authorise the launch
of this operation at its next meeting on 12 June, so that the
deployment can take place in advance of the DRC elections, and
that although the document is still in draft and is being worked
on in committees, he is sending this version to us now to ensure
that we have sufficient time to clear the text. He undertakes
to keep us informed about any substantive changes to the Joint
Action, as well as details of the national composition of EU troops
and command and control structures, once they become clear.
17.5 In his Explanatory Memorandum, the Minister
explains that this draft Joint Action follows the adoption of
the UN Security Council Resolution 1671 on 25 April 2006 and the
Council Agreement on 27 April of the Joint Action initiating planning
for the operation. It makes provision for the launch of the operation
and authorises the Operation Commander to release the Activation
Order which will execute the deployment of the force. The overall
size of EUFOR RD Congo will be approximately 1,500, with approximately
500 deployed in Kinshasa and the remainder held on call "over-the-horizon"
in Gabon. He confirms that the UK's commitments elsewhere mean
that the UK contribution to the mission will be minimal —
one officer deployed to the OHQ in Potsdam and one with the French
Force HQ to Kinshasa. The financial aspects are the same as in
the earlier Joint Action.
The Government's view
17.6 The Minister says that the Government fully
supports the objective of supporting MONUC during the elections,
and that "these elections — the first democratic elections
for 40 years in DRC — are crucial for the future stability
of the Congo and the Great Lakes region".
17.7 We also understand that NATO will not be involved
in this operation; and that, while it is not yet possible to confirm
the exact make up of the national contributions to the force,
as the force generation process is still ongoing, indications
of contributions include France (450), Germany (500), Spain (150),
Poland (100), Belgium (60), Sweden (50), Portugal (25) and (possibly)
a Dutch platoon (around 25), and that airlift has been offered
by France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Greece and Sweden.
Conclusion
17.8 As well as the further promised information,
we would also appreciate the Minister's assessment of the mission
in due course, and especially its contribution to the electoral
process, the importance of which he rightly stresses.
17.9 We now clear the document, on the understanding
that the Minister reverts to us if the substance of the Joint
Action should change between now and the 12 June 2006 General
Affairs and External Relations Council.
58 7779/06. Back
59
Contributions by Member States on a GDP-based key. Back
|
