Brussels, 01/09/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Operation Artemis whereby the European Union deployed a multinational interim emergency force in Ituri (Democratic Republic of Congo) completed its mission on 1 September, an EU Council release states. On this occasion, a symbolic ceremony for transferring responsibilities between the Commander of the European Force, General Thonier, and General Isberg, Interim Commander of the Ituri Brigade of MONUC (United Nations Observation Mission in Congo), unfolded on Monday morning in Bunia at camp N'Dromo, in the presence of Mr Swing, High Representative of the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in Democratic Republic of Congo, and General Diallo, MONUC Commander.
Initiated by the European Union on 12 June in the context of UN Security Council Resolution No 1484, the Operation Artemis was in response to an emergency situation in the town of Bunia which was then hit by violent clashes between militia as well as a serious humanitarian situation, the press release recalls. It goes on to specify that seventeen countries representing three continents took part in this multinational force entrusted with the task of stabilising security conditions and improving the humanitarian situation in the capital of Ituri. The press release states that the European Union remains committed in the Democratic Republic of Congo after withdrawal of its military contingent and that it continues to actively support the peace process and is involved in efforts to rebuild the country.
High Representative for CFSP Javier Solana declared on the occasion of transferring authority to MONUC that, as the mission of the European operation Artemis ends in Bunia, he congratulates the personnel making up the force and thanks the European as well as non-European States that took part in the operation, especially France, which played the role of framework nation. He recognised that the situation in the rest of the province of Ituri and in other regions of the country remains a matter of concern but noted that, in Bunia, security and living conditions for the population, as well as for the humanitarian organisations which have helped the population, have considerably improved, as he was able to note while there. With the Artemis mission, the EU has been able to make a concrete contribution to the peace efforts deployed by the international community through the United Nations, in conformity with the EU's objectives, he said. Although temporary and limited by the mandate fixed for it by the Security Council, this tangible contribution has been implemented with flexibility and speed following the appeal launched by Secretary General Kofi Annan, he said. It has allowed the creation of conditions necessary for deployment of a strengthened MONUC in Bunia but also to give a positive dynamic to the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the High Representative stressed. He went on to conclude by saying he reiterates the support of the European Union for the United Nations and MONUC in pursuit of their action in Bunia and in the rest of the country. The European Union plans to remain at the fore in its effort for stability, peace and reconstruction in the Democratic Republic of Congo by implementing all its means of action, as stressed by the Union foreign ministers during the Council of 21 July this year (see EUROPE of 24 July, p.5).