MEP proposes Union humanitarian and rescue force

Date: 02/10/03

By Martin Banks

THE EU has been urged to set up a 5,000-strong 'humanitarian and rescue force' to tackle civil crises around the world.

Its aim would be to carry out mostly peacekeeping tasks, which would include evacuating EU citizens from trouble spots, delivering aid and assisting in natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes.

The humanitarian and rescue force would be on permanent standby and could be deployed in less than ten days. It would also, if necessary, be called upon to take part in military conflicts.

The proposal has been put forward by MEP Karl von Wogau, vice-chairman of the German Christian Democrats in the European Parliament, who wants to see the force up-and-running within 12 months.

The idea has the backing of a majority in the European People's Party, the assembly's biggest political group. Von Wogau said the force could be formed by expanding the existing 1,000-strong French-German brigade, which is based in Mullheim, near Strasbourg, on the border between the two countries.

The brigade was set up in the mid-1980s and, while it has not been involved in any military conflicts, it has been deployed in several civil emergencies.

Von Wogau said: “The brigade could easily be expanded to take in civil and military personnel from other member states.”

He envisages its main function will still be to deal with humanitarian action, but said it could also carry out military operations at the level and intensity of the 1999 Kosovo campaign.

Von Wogau, a member of Parliament's foreign affairs and defence committee, stressed that the force would be compatible with the planned 60,000-strong European Rapid Reaction Force.

MEP, Karl von Wogau, has proposed the establishment of a 5,000 strong 'humanitarian and rescue force' to tackle civil crises around the world. Mr von Wogau would like to see the force operational within 12 months.