# CE2004084EN.01000201.xml

| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/2 |
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3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 84/2

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(2004/C 84 E/0002)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0335/03

by Maria Sanders-ten Holte (ELDR) to the Commission

(10 February 2003)

Subject:   A new generation of mercenaries

Subject:

Although the system of old-style mercenaries is not yet entirely a thing of the past, a new type of mercenary is coming into existence in conflicts in Africa. The soldiers concerned provide military services, even including peace-keeping and monitoring of the enforcement of cease-fires. The most important development here is the establishment of small military groups which offer their services to governments and commercial enterprises.

| 1. | Does the Commission have any information about the activities of foreign soldiers in conflicts in Africa? |
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1.

Does the Commission have any information about the activities of foreign soldiers in conflicts in Africa?

| 2. | Can the Commission, in particular, indicate the role which such soldiers are playing in border wars in West Africa? |
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2.

Can the Commission, in particular, indicate the role which such soldiers are playing in border wars in West Africa?

| 3. | To what extent is the EU taking account of this new phenomenon in its strategies for restoring peace and settling conflicts in Africa? |
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3.

To what extent is the EU taking account of this new phenomenon in its strategies for restoring peace and settling conflicts in Africa?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 2003)

(19 March 2003)

| 1. | The Commission is aware of newspaper articles and rumours in expatriate circles in Africa on mercenaries involved in African conflicts. The Commission has on an ad hoc basis also been informed that in some cases mercenaries offer their services to governments and/or commercial companies. The Commission is, however, not in a position to obtain this specialised intelligence information other than on an incidental basis. |
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1.

The Commission is aware of newspaper articles and rumours in expatriate circles in Africa on mercenaries involved in African conflicts. The Commission has on an ad hoc basis also been informed that in some cases mercenaries offer their services to governments and/or commercial companies. The Commission is, however, not in a position to obtain this specialised intelligence information other than on an incidental basis.

| 2. | There are rumours and reported witness accounts that demobilised ex-combatants from Sierra Leone have joined rebel activities in Liberia and Western Ivory Coast. |
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2.

There are rumours and reported witness accounts that demobilised ex-combatants from Sierra Leone have joined rebel activities in Liberia and Western Ivory Coast.

| 3. | The Commission supports initiatives in the framework of the Rabat peace process for the Mano River Union and of the International Contact Group for Liberia to promote a cease fire and peace talks between the Government of Liberia and the rebels active in North-west Liberia. The Commission is also supportive of the re-integration of Sierra Leonan ex-combatants into the society. |
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3.

The Commission supports initiatives in the framework of the Rabat peace process for the Mano River Union and of the International Contact Group for Liberia to promote a cease fire and peace talks between the Government of Liberia and the rebels active in North-west Liberia. The Commission is also supportive of the re-integration of Sierra Leonan ex-combatants into the society.

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