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Fren
ch Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie yesterday declared
"mission accomplished" for the European Union force sent to quell
ethnic unrest in the town of Bunia, eastern Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC).
Alliot-Marie was speaking on French TV5 television after returning
from a visit to Uganda and the DRC, where she visited troops from
the French-led "Artemis" force.
"This very first autonomous operation by the European Union is a
historic moment," she said.
"It's certainly a model for the European rapid intervention force
we aim to put together by the end of this year".
She added: "It's mission accomplished." Alliot-Marie said Artemis
had carried out "an extremely difficult mission in almost
impossible logistical conditions", in what she described as a "very
hostile environment".
She said: "Today the town of Bunia has gone back to its normal
business... confidence has returned".
Interethnic massacres between the minority Hema community and the
majority Lendu in the DRC's troubled northeastern Ituri region have
claimed the lives of 50 000 people since 1999 and displaced half a
million others.
The violence led to the deployment of the Artemis force in the
former flashpoint town of Bunia in June.
The UN mission to the DRC, known by its French acronym Monuc, is
preparing to take over from Artemis in September, replacing the EU
force in Bunia with a 3 800-strong contingent of mainly Bangladeshi
troops. – Sapa-AFP.
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