Mandate of EU Gaza mission still controversial
MARK BEUNDERMAN
07.11.2005 @ 21:41 CET
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - EU member states on Monday agreed to engage in a historic mission securing the Gaza-Egypt border – but the mandate of the mission is controversial, with the Czech foreign minister speaking out against an active role.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana told journalists on Monday (7 November) he was "very proud" of member state's willingness to launch the border inspection mission, confirmed at a foreign ministers gathering in Brussels.
Javier Solana - "very proud" of member states willingness to launch the border inspection mission (Photo: Irish EU Presidency)
EU inspectors are expected to jet off to Gaza to control the Rafah crossing, which according to Israel is characterised by weapons smuggling and uncontrolled passage of Palestinian fighters.
Mr Solana said the plan would lead to the "most important security presence in Middle East ever by the EU."
The mission would represent the EU's first-ever border-securing operation.
His spokeswoman Christina Gallach said the inspectors would "not just be sitting there and watching," but play a "more active" role.
This would be according to the wishes of the Israelis, who want the Europeans to have "enforcement capabilities", and seems to be less in line with the stance of the Palestinians who favour a mere "monitoring" role.
But the last word over the mandate has not been had yet, as some EU member states are extremely wary of real security involvement in the Middle East.
The Czech foreign minister Cyril Svoboda said according to a Czech diplomat, "To guard the border or even to send soldiers or policemen is not the work of the EU and should not be considered."
The diplomat said Prague wanted the EU to limit its activities to assisting the Palestinians by, for example, training.
On top of this, the Israelis and the Palestinians still negotiating over the EU inspectors' role.
Under the guidance of James Wolfensohn, the envoy for the "Quartet" of the US, the EU, Russia and the UN, Israelis and Palestinians are on Monday evening expected to finalise their talks on the role they wish the Europeans to play.
Mr Solana will later this week visit Israel and the Palestinian territories and discuss the issue, Ms Gallach said.
A decision on the mandate and the type of personnel will then have to be taken "very soon", she said, as the Palestinians want the mission to start on 15 November.
