Letter to the Editor, in response to article on Mirage operation in Central African Republic, The Independent, 23 December 2006

Sir,

In your leading article on Darfur (20 December), you stated that, in the Central African Republic (CAR), “reports from the ground say the [French] operation has had a devastating impact on civilians”. This allegation is unacceptable.

France is in that region, which is suffering from the Darfur crisis, to reinforce security and stability. The Mirage operation was conducted at the request of the CAR authorities, in support of their forces and other African troops, who operate under a mandate from the African Union.

The purpose was to destroy heavy weaponry (mortars and 14.5mm machine guns) which had been targeting CAR forces. It was mounted under the French forces’ extremely strict rules of engagement. Thanks to this operation, civilians who had fled to avoid the rebels’ brutality have now returned to their village. In a situation as tragic as Darfur, serious allegations should not be made lightly.

Gérard Errera