Brussels, 15/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - According to Francisco Diaz Alcantud from Spain, the head of the EU's integrated rule of law mission in Iraq (EUJUST LEX), the mission, in accordance with its new mandate and on the basis of “pilot” projects organised last year, will be set up by August and launch its first training and advisory activities in the country. Initially, half of the approximately 70 mission experts currently in Brussels will be permanently based in the country, with offices in Baghdad, Arbil in Kurdistan and in Basra in the south of the country, explained Diaz Alcantud. During his first meeting with the European press on Tuesday 15 June in Brussels, Diaz Alcantud explained that the mission would focus on security and involving, “from the earliest planning stages”, Iraqis in the activities organised and in the coordination with other actors, particularly the Iraqi authorities. There are several priority action areas: - training senior police officers, magistrates and prison officials; - the identification of specific training areas, in accordance with requests from Iraqis and their specific needs; - improved follow-up of trained personnel; - the gradual development of Iraqi capability for the gradual transfer of responsibility for training Iraqis. Training will continue in Iraq but the mission will continue with courses in EU member states to ensure “best practice”, explained Diaz Alcantud. He also said that being in a European member state and receiving training according to best practice was “a positive aspect” for people “who have been isolated over the last 30 years”. The head of the mission also explained that they would not have been believed if they had exclusively limited themselves to a description of the system.
With regard to the question of security, which always remains a concern, the mission staff are currently staying at the British Embassy. The same system could be set up, especially in the south of the country, which is much less calm than the Kurdistan region. Launched in 2005 and headed until last year by Stephen White from Ireland, the mission has so far provided training for almost 3,300 police officers, judges and prison managers. For security reasons, the courses (118 since the launch of the mission) have been organised in EU member states, but since 2009 EUJUST LEX has succeeded in launching 18 pilot activities in Iraq (the seminars for judges, a seminar on domestic violence, another seminar on the coordination and improved management of prisons). On 14 June, the Council extended the mission's mandate for two years, until 30 June 2012. (A.By./transl.fl)