Brussels, 10/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - Meeting in Brussels on 10 November, the day after the Nairobi Regional Summit on how to bring about a negotiated solution to the crisis in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which was immediately followed by the resumption in fighting between government forces and the rebels of General Laurent Nkunda, EU Foreign Ministers reiterated their strongest concern after this upsurge in the armed conflict between government and rebel forces and the serious humanitarian consequences of it (see EUROPE 9778). After being informed by Council President Bernard Kouchner of the diplomatic efforts being made by the EU, and briefed by Commissioner Louis Michel on the outcome of the Nairobi Summit, ministers unanimously welcomed the direct involvement of African diplomacy in trying to resolve the conflict in North Kivu through a negotiated solution. The EU has laid the priority on the political resolution of the situation within the existing framework of the Nairobi I and Goma Agreements: commitment of European troops is clearly not on the agenda. Those willing to respond to the call from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for a further 3,000 soldiers to swell the ranks of the 17,000-strong MONUC, are, indeed, thin on the ground. Kouchner acknowledged as much at the end of the meeting.
“We had a testing discussion on the DRC. We all find ourselves faced with very difficult choices and unpleasant restrictions that have been placed on us,” Kouchner told press, stating, “there isn't sufficient European capacity available. The ESDP has to be strengthened”. Despite the diplomatic efforts, “the situation continues to deteriorate. It is heart-breaking. The camps for the displaced continue to grow. Conditions there are becoming increasingly difficult. We concluded that the solution had to be political and that priority had to be given to the MONUC,” he said. Answering journalists' questions, Kouchner acknowledged that member states were “reticent, or even negative” towards the idea of sending troops. “What could even a well trained army do? We are in a situation where everything is mixed up, where various rebel groups and the national army are carrying out acts of violence,” he said. He felt that it would be “very difficult to convince people in a short space of time to become involved in a situation that has existed for 14 years”. Belgian minister Karel de Gucht announced that India might respond to the call with 1,200 soldiers. This, Kouchner said, was “good news”. Noting that, in the EU Political and Security Committee on 7 November, all options (including the military option) had been discussed, Kouchner said that “all is not lost. I have said that a European contribution might be useful” to secure certain areas and make it easier to distribute humanitarian aid.
In its conclusions, the Council called for increased cooperation between the EU, its member states and the MONUC, and highlighted the importance of forthcoming discussions on renewing the mandate of the MONUC and on strengthening its operational capacities. The European Union undertook to work along with the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the African Union to stabilise the situation in the east of the DRC, the Council said. (A.N./transl.rt)