Force deployment for Darfur neighbors resumes
PARIS (AP) - February 12, 2008 The deployment had stalled because of an armed rebellion in Chad
earlier this month.
The arrival of an C-130 transport plane Tuesday afternoon in the
town of Abeche, eastern Chad, carrying equipment, "marks the
restart of the deployment of the EUFOR force for Chad and Central
African Republic," Lt. Col. Philippe de Cussac, a force spokesman,
said from its headquarters outside Paris.
A 150-person advance team already has arrived, with the bulk of
the 3,700-strong peacekeeping force expected to be flown in next
month, he said. The force is designed to help protect thousands of
refugees who have fled the fighting in Darfur.
The force deployment was repeatedly delayed - mostly over
trouble winning troop commitments by EU member states. More
recently, it stalled because of a failed rebel attack on Chad's
capital that threatened stability in the country.
The commander in Chad of the EU force, Brig. Gen. Jean-Philippe
Ganascia, said Sunday he hoped the entire force would arrive within
three months.
