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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| EU launches Chad protection force | EU launches Chad protection force |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A European peacekeeping force is to head to Chad and the Central African Republic, after it was approved by EU foreign ministers in Brussels. | A European peacekeeping force is to head to Chad and the Central African Republic, after it was approved by EU foreign ministers in Brussels. |
| The 3,500-strong contingent will aim to protect refugees from Darfur and people displaced by internal fighting. | The 3,500-strong contingent will aim to protect refugees from Darfur and people displaced by internal fighting. |
| France has promised to deploy at least 1,350 troops and the Irish Defence Forces are to send a further 450. | France has promised to deploy at least 1,350 troops and the Irish Defence Forces are to send a further 450. |
| The mission which has been delayed several times is due to begin in the coming weeks under a UN mandate. | The mission which has been delayed several times is due to begin in the coming weeks under a UN mandate. |
| The operation will be run by Irish commander Lt-Gen Pat Nash from a headquarters near Paris. French troops are already stationed in eastern Chad and a French brigadier general will take charge on the ground. | The operation will be run by Irish commander Lt-Gen Pat Nash from a headquarters near Paris. French troops are already stationed in eastern Chad and a French brigadier general will take charge on the ground. |
| February start | February start |
| An Irish military spokesman said an initial entry force of around 400 soldiers would head for the Chadian capital Ndjamena on 1 February, including 50 elite soldiers from the Irish Army Ranger Wing. | An Irish military spokesman said an initial entry force of around 400 soldiers would head for the Chadian capital Ndjamena on 1 February, including 50 elite soldiers from the Irish Army Ranger Wing. |
| Known as Eufor Chad/CAR, the force will be deployed in four areas - three in Chad and one in the Central African Republic. | Known as Eufor Chad/CAR, the force will be deployed in four areas - three in Chad and one in the Central African Republic. |
| The mission is among the hardest undertaken by the European Union and will involve 14 member states on the ground. | |
| Part of their initial 12-month mandate involves providing back-up for 300 UN police officers monitoring camps for refugees and displaced people. | Part of their initial 12-month mandate involves providing back-up for 300 UN police officers monitoring camps for refugees and displaced people. |
| More than 200,000 refugees from Darfur are in camps in the region, along with 178,000 displaced Chadians and 43,000 Central Africans. | More than 200,000 refugees from Darfur are in camps in the region, along with 178,000 displaced Chadians and 43,000 Central Africans. |
| In a statement, EU ministers said the force would help protect civilians in danger, ease the delivery of humanitarian aid and ensure the free movement of aid workers. | In a statement, EU ministers said the force would help protect civilians in danger, ease the delivery of humanitarian aid and ensure the free movement of aid workers. |
| Further contributions are to come from Belgium, Poland, Italy, Austria, Greece, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain and Sweden. | Further contributions are to come from Belgium, Poland, Italy, Austria, Greece, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain and Sweden. |