[A-List] Eurocorps To Take NATO's Afghan War Into The Provinces

[Rick Rozoff <r_rozoff@xxxxxxxxx>]

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040204.wafgh0204/BNStory/International/

Associated Press
February 4, 2004

Europe set to lead NATO's Afghan force


-NATO is currently seeking to muster more troops for
the force to enable it to expand beyond the Afghan
capital into provincial cities.
-The Eurocorps was recognized in 2002 as a NATO
high-readiness force and has already carried out
peacekeeping duties in Kosovo and Bosnia.



Brussels ? A five-country European army corps is
expected to take the lead in NATO's Afghan
peacekeeping mission later this year, alliance
officials said Wednesday.

Under plans due to be confirmed in the coming days,
the force would replace Canada running the
headquarters of the Kabul-based force. The changeover
is likely to take place some time in the summer.

The 60,000-strong Eurocorps, was founded in 1992 and
is made up of troops from Germany, France, Spain,
Belgium and Luxembourg.

It was not immediately clear how many of its soldiers
would leave for Afghanistan, as part of the
5,500-strong International Security Assistance Force
in Kabul. There are almost 2,000 Canadians
participating in the ISAF.

NATO is currently seeking to muster more troops for
the force to enable it to expand beyond the Afghan
capital into provincial cites.

Alliance diplomats said they expected allies to make
offers of more troops during a meeting of defence
ministers Friday in the German city of Munich. Italy,
Norway and non-NATO member Sweden are expected to
contribute peacekeeping teams in two provincial
cities.

Ministers from the five Eurocorps countries were
scheduled to meet on the margins of that meeting to
discuss taking on the headquarters role.

The Eurocorps was recognized in 2002 as a NATO
high-readiness force and has already carried out
peacekeeping duties in Kosovo and Bosnia.

Canadian Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier is due to
take command of the NATO troops in Kabul on Tuesday,
replacing Lt.-Gen. Goetz Gliemeroth of Germany. Troops
from Canada and Germany currently make up the bulk of
the force.







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