Brussels, 13/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - The EP sub-committee on defence, chaired by Karl von Wogau (CEU) took stock, on Tuesday, of the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Speaking on behalf of the Council, Claude-France Arnould stressed that the European force deployed in Kinshasa showed proof of rapid response and efficacy during the clashes on 20 and 21 August. She pointed out that the intervention of EUFOR-DRC, which imposed cessation of fighting, prevented a raid on the residence of Vice-President Bemba and allowed the extraction of diplomats present in the area, began at the request of the diplomats. It was not until later that a formal request for assistance was made by MONUC. Since then, EUFOR has been taking part in this context in patrols organised in the Congolese capital to verify whether the troops of the two presidential candidates are confined to barracks. The three EU missions - EUFOR, EUSEC and EUPOL - are cooperating successfully and with MONUC, Claude-France Arnould said, pointing out that, since 22 August, “no further incident is to be deplored”. In her view, intervention during these events “has allowed the force to demonstrate its impartiality” and General Viereck, who commands the operation from Potsdam, considers that his soldiers can now carry out patrols in a very positive atmosphere. Noting that security needs will remain considerable in the long term, she said that the Council's Secretariat is preparing proposals with a view to strengthening EU action to support reform of the security sector in DRC.
Speaking of EUFOR's “undeniable success”, General Philippe Morillon, who heads the EU observer mission, said that, without the European force, “Kinshasa would be torn apart”. He went on to say: “Bemba sought to cause riots in Kinshasa. The reason why he could not do so was because of the EUFOR and MONUC presence there and the wisdom of the people of Kinshasa who stayed at home (…). EUFOR saved Bemba when his life was threatened and helped to confine the supporters of both sides who were raving mad (…). The reaction of Kabila, who wanted to settle matters OK Corral style, came as a surprise and was Ubuesque: the most fanatical of his supporters turned up before Bemba's residence with seven armoured vehicles and gave assault with cannon fire”. Welcoming EUFOR's “remarkable action”, the general said that it was a “model of effective EU action”, as is expected of the EU throughout the world. He went on to cite the example of Lebanon where an EU operation made “immediate response possible compared to the extreme slowness of United Nations procedures”. In his view, in DRC, the “loser must also be given the possibility not to appear vanquished”, that is, it is necessary to stress that after the elections a majority and an opposition will be set in place, with the prospect of alternating. The provisional results of the legislative elections show that Joseph Kabila will have only a relative majority, Morillon noted. In the meantime, it is necessary to ensure that troops of both candidates are kept confined to barracks and it is along these lines that General Morillon has suggested MONUC and EUFOR be responsible for ensuring the safety of the candidates during the second round. This idea received the support of the 14 ambassadors of the CIAT (Comité international d'accompagnement de la transition) in DRC on 11 September.
When asked about the criticism that has been expressed in Germany against General Viereck for having been on leave when clashes broke out in Kinshasa, Claude-France Arnould replied that the command chain responded at every level, with “no wavering”. Philippe Morillon went on to point out that, when a leader is good, he can leave feeling perfectly at ease as he knows things will run smoothly anyway.