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– EuroArmy...For Peace or
War?
EU to push ahead with military 'battle
groups'
By Andrew Beatty
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Defence Ministers on Monday are expected to
commit up to 165,000 troops to make up a series of EU 'battle groups'
which can be deployed to the World's hot spots.
EU council diplomats said that they expected ministers to pledge enough
troops to create 11 battle groups, with each group expected to number
1,000-1,500 troops, ready to be deployed for peacekeeping missions
within 10 days, for a period of up to four months.
The groups are set to be operational by 2007 and are expected to work
under a UN mandate. The EU council of ministers would have to agree
unanimously before any deployment takes place.
France, Italy, Spain and the UK are to set up their own groups which are
likely to be ready before 2007 - possibly by 2005 according to EU
military sources.
Another seven groups are expected to be formed:
- Germany the Netherlands and Finland;
- Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Germany;
- Italy, Hungary and Slovenia;
- Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal;
- Sweden, Finland and Norway
- The UK and the Netherlands
In addition a French Spokesperson said late on Friday that there would
also be a French contingent in the 'Eurocorps' composed of France,
Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
Based on the 'lead nation' model set up during the EU's peacekeeping
mission in Bunia, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, each group will
have a lead country in command.
Military officials say that some of the contingents will be specialised
forces. Finland is expected to commit troops trained to combat chemical
and biological weapons, Lithuania will offer experts in water
purification while Greece is pledging troops with maritime transport
skills.
But not all EU countries are participating.
Domestic political problems mean that Austria will not participate in
this round and there have also been questions raised over the legality
of Norway's participation with opponents of the plan saying it clashes
with Oslo's constitution.
The Irish government has expressed its willingness to take part but will
not be committing troops on Monday.
A spokesperson said on Friday that the Czech army, because of
restructuring, would not be able to meet the criteria at this point, "It
will be 2007 at the earliest" said the spokesperson.
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