EU approves rapid reaction force

I wonder if this unit will be used to do things for the EU so the US does not have to, such as Bosnia etc. It is time for the EU to pay for its own defense, bring the US troops home.

EU approves rapid reaction force



European Union defence ministers have agreed to set up a military rapid reaction force, to be deployed at short notice to conflicts around the world.
The force, to be in place within three years, will consist of a number of units each made up of 1500 troops.

France, Italy, Britain and Spain will each form a unit, and other EU states will be expected to contribute troops.

Ministers expect the first of the battle groups to be operational by next year, with eight more by 2007.

The development is part of an EU effort to develop an independent defence capacity that can be deployed outside of US-led Nato missions.

UK Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said the battle groups were not a precursor to the EU developing a standing army.

"Battle groups will be capable of dealing with a range of peace support and humanitarian tasks," Mr Hoon said.

"They are particularly intended for situations where an early intervention with a highly capable battle group-size force could deal with an emerging crisis."

Rapid reaction forces could be deployed to fill a gap before UN peacekeepers can be deployed, as a French-led operation did in the Bunia region of eastern Congo earlier this year.



EU approves rapid reaction force




EU backs elite battle group plan

Macedonia was the EU's first military mission
EU defence ministers have agreed plans to create up to nine rapid-reaction battle groups which could be sent to international trouble spots from 2007.

EU defence ministers have agreed plans to create up to nine rapid-reaction battle groups which could be sent to international trouble spots from 2007.

The plans are part of an ambitious six-year drive to shake up the EU's military capabilities.

Under the scheme, each contingent would have 1,500 soldiers and could be deployed within two weeks.

Officials envisage the force being used to help stabilise conflict areas or to protect humanitarian operations.

French Defence Minister Michelle Alliot-Marie said the agreement marked "considerable progress" by the EU.

EU backs elite battle group plan



[edit on 24-11-2004 by edsinger]

I am a bit skeptical about this, not about the general idea of EU forces, but about how all that is supposed to function.
It remains to be seen just how rapid these rapid reaction forces will be.

If the theory is put into action properly then this could be a very good thing. There are several places in Europe which could be clasified as not very stable, like some Balkan states or eastern Europe. A rapid reaction force would be just the right thing in case the situation escalates there. If we had something like that back 1992, the war in Bosnia wouldn't have happened.

As for their deployment around the world, that might be useful too, considering that europeans are a lot more popular then americans right now. We might actually be seen as a "peace" forces.

Well taking into consideration the most recent events then Ukraine is definitely unstable ... however it would be especially tricky for anyone to interfere there since the opposing side is Russia ... could it turn into another Chechnya where everybody makes statements but does nothing?

I've seen quite graphic videos of the first part of the Chechnya war brought back by contractors who went to reconstruct the caused damage there. It showed horrific scenes of what was done with Russian POWs but as a counterweight it displayed even more gruesome scenes of the results of random Russian bombing ... schools, hospitals, arpartment buildings ... believe me, a tortured POW is one thing but dismembered and decapitated chidlren and elderly is another.

I can see where something like this would be useful, and I want the US troops out of Europe as soon as possible...

Originally posted by edsinger
I can see where something like this would be useful, and I want the US troops out of Europe as soon as possible...

Well, maybe the US should stop getting involved in other countrie's problems then.

America is just like a porn star, a porn star can't stay in his pants and America can't stay in its country



[edit on 25-11-2004 by infinite]

Originally posted by edsinger
I wonder if this unit will be used to do things for the EU so the US does not have to, such as Bosnia etc. It is time for the EU to pay for its own defense, bring the US troops home.

[

you came in on your own choice.
we had the gear to do it ourselves.
we pay for our defense or did you not notice the royal marines takeing ports or the forces in bagdad?

Originally posted by edsinger
I can see where something like this would be useful, and I want the US troops out of Europe as soon as possible...

we want you away from us. with or with out guns.
you guys are dangerous to your health. even if on the same team.

I agree that this is a good thing. It will be used for cases like Sudan. I don't know where you get the idea that Europe doesn't pay for its own defence though Ed.

Seems like the US & European people can come to an agreement on this one though. We want you out, and you want to leave. Everybody�s happy.