Levi, 03/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - Javier Solana, EU High Representative for CFSP, does not expect violence after the second round of presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to get out of hand, as was the case after the first round of elections. “I do not think there will be any tension. I think the result will be accepted” by the population after the ballot on 29 October, he told the press on 3 October after the informal meeting of defence ministers in Levi, Finland. The violence that followed the first round of elections drove certain EU Member States, and France in particular, to envisage extending the duration of the EU operation in DRC (EUFOR DRC) beyond its present mandate which is to expire end November, on condition however that a request to do so comes from the UN. Other countries such as Germany are still somewhat reticent. Extension until January 2007 was also backed by former Commissioner Chris Patten and by Jason Stearns of the International Crisis Group. Speaking to the press, Solana refused to speculate on the possible extension of the EU mission in DRC. “There is no Plan B, C or D” he said, adding that the question would be put when necessary. During the ministerial meeting, he nonetheless called for ministers to “remain vigilant” going on to add: “the calm in Kinshasa is still fragile and there is still tension between the two candidates (…). The provision of more weapons to both camps is particularly worrying”. (dt)