Brussels, 12/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - On 12 June, the Council adopted its decision to launch that very day, the EU's military operation, "Artemis", in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for which it had given the go-ahead on 5 June (EUROPE 6 June p 6). With this decision, the Council adopted the mission operation plan. It is also authorising the commander of the operation, Major General Neveux to give the immediate activation order (ACTORD), allowing for the deployment of forces on the ground, which will precede the transfer of authority on the troops who have been deployed (those who are not answerable to a European command, once in place) and the execution of the mission. Javier Solana, EU High Representative for CFSP is expected to inform NATO Defence Ministers of this decision on Thursday.