Brussels, 08/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on Monday 8 December, the time was not yet ripe for taking the decision to send European troops to the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in response to the request made by the UN secretary general who wanted European peacekeepers to ensure a bridging force between the MONUC peacekeepers (UN mission in Congo) until its reinforcements become operational. Reiterating grave concern about the resumed military activity by all parties and about the consequences that the clashes will have on the humanitarian situation in North Kivu, the EU27 foreign ministers certainly “noted” the request made on 5 December by Ban Ki-moon but no decision was taken - which means that Karel de Gucht, the Belgian minister who urged for an “urgent decision” to be able to deploy troops as part of a European mission, is left somewhat isolated. In its conclusions, the Council simply calls on Javier Solana, EU High Representative for CFSP, and on the Commission to rapidly prepare elements of a technical, humanitarian and political response bearing in mind the observations put forward. Speaking to the press, Bernard Kouchner, President-in-office of the Council, stressed that access for all civilians to humanitarian aid is a “necessity” despite the political progress recently made. “The humanitarian situation is not good, that's the least one can say. We received a warning call about the participation and effectiveness of the 17 000 peacekeepers of whom 9 000 are now in North Kivu. Ban Ki-moon had called for a vote on a resolution for 3 000 more troops. We have received a letter calling for intervention by European forces to be organised. We have discussed this possibility of intervention pending the arrival of the 3 000 additional peacekeepers. Discussion is taking time. We have recognised the need to respond as quickly as possible in humanitarian and political terms”. (A.N./transl.jl)