Paris, 1 December – The WEU Assembly on Monday called for Europe to boost its capacity to deploy air force troops and weapons rapidly in a crisis.

A report prepared for the Defence Committee by Chairman John Wilkinson (UK/Fed) and approved by the Assembly said European countries should adopt a range of measures to enhance the effectiveness of their Petersberg humanitarian and peacekeeping missions.

Such measures include creation of a European Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Centre, procurement of more transport aircraft and precision-guided munitions, greater surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, closer cooperation at all levels and bigger defence budgets.

The European Union (EU) said earlier that it aimed to achieve its Headline Goal capability to deploy a military force of 50 000 to 60 000 troops within 60 days and to maintain it for one year, to be able to carry out the full range of Petersberg tasks.

Stating that “all our illusions about a peaceful start to the new millennium have been cruelly shattered”, Mr Wilkinson said that priorities must be reassessed in favour of “rationalised investments in air systems”.