EU:EU foreign ministers have launched the long-delayed peacekeeping mission to Chad to protect refugees, civilians and aid workers fleeing the conflict in neighbouring Darfur, writes Jamie Smythin Brussels, and Mark Hennessy.
The 3,500-strong mission was given the political go-ahead yesterday following confirmation by France that it would provide the necessary equipment to allow the mission to begin.
At least 13 other EU states, including Ireland, have provided troops and military equipment for the mission, which was originally to launch in October.
The operation will be led by Irish Lieut Gen Patrick Nash, who had until recently refused to allow the mission to deploy because of an equipment shortage, particularly helicopters.
However, it is understood that up to 15 helicopters have been committed by EU member states, with France and Poland making the largest contribution.
Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern welcomed the commitment of the additional equipment to enable the launch.
But he said the EU would continue to try to raise additional troops and equipment for the Chad mission because some states had committed for a shorter time than the 12-month period and some extra forces may be required.
The first troops are expected to be deployed this week with the mission achieving full operational capability by May.
This is before the rainy season takes hold.
The 429 Irish troops stationed in Chad will have far stronger powers to use military force, including the right to open fire to defend refugees, under UN peace enforcement rules.
In Lebanon Irish soldiers were governed by peacekeeping rules, which effectively allowed them very little freedom to respond to aggression.
On occasions, UN units suffered Israeli artillery bombardment without responding.
EU ministers were briefed on the current political and security situation in Darfur and Chad by Jan Eliasson, UN envoy on the Darfur crisis.
After the meeting the EU released a statement expressing serious concern over the "deterioration of the security situation in the border region of Sudan and Chad, including the recent attacks by rebel groups from Darfur in eastern Chad as well as the incursions of Chadian armed forces into Sudan".
EU officials say the mission will be one of the most difficult and expensive ever undertaken by the union because of a lack of infrastructure and harsh conditions in Chad.
Some €120 million of EU cash has been earmarked for the mission but it is expected the final cost will be significantly higher. States with troops on the ground will also have to pay their own costs, with Ireland committing €60 million to support 429 troops.
The EU force will be one of the most international, with 14 states providing troops to the region.
Several other states are providing officers at the French headquarters and some non-EU states such as Russia and Ukraine are still considering military contributions.
It has a UN mandate to protect about 300 UN police officers sent to monitor refugee camps close to the Chadian border with Darfur.
About 234,000 Darfur refugees, along with 179,000 displaced eastern Chadians and 43,000 central Africans uprooted by strife and rebellion in the north of the country, are housed in the camps.