EU to decide whether to send force to Central African Republic to help quell anarchy
January 20, 2014 / Associated Press
BRUSSELS – European Union foreign ministers should decide Monday whether to dispatch an EU military force to assist French and African troops trying to quell anarchy in the Central African Republic.
France, which sent 1,600 soldiers to the CAR last month, wants help. As foreign ministers of the 28-nation European Union gathered in Brussels, diplomats said one proposal is for a battalion-strength EU force, perhaps 400-600 soldiers.
"We see an operation focused very much in Bangui (the capital), and the airport, focusing on aiding the humanitarian mission and limited in duration to six months," a European diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of his country's rules on briefing reporters.
French officials have said Poland has offered a transport plane and the personnel to fly and maintain it.
