WHISTLEBLOWING website WikiLeaks has published a classified report that details the EU’s military operations against the flow of refugees in Europe, and outlines plans to develop a “reliable” government in Libya to allow the expansion of its operations in the area.
The report from last month, is written by Rear Admiral Enrico Credendino of the Italian Navy for two EU committees. It gives flow statistics for refugees and details of performed and planned phases for joint EU forces’ operations in the Mediterranean.
The document also pressures responsible EU bodies to help speed up the process of forming a reliable government in Libya, which would be expected to invite EU forces to operate within its territorial waters, and later give permission to extend their military operations onshore.
It said: “Through the capability and capacity building of the Libyan Navy and Coastguard, we will be able to give the Libyan authorities something in exchange for their cooperation in tackling the irregular migration issue. This collaboration could represent one of the elements of the EU comprehensive approach to help secure their invitation to operate inside their territory during Phase 2 activities.”
Credendino wrote that the task force was ready to proceed to “phase 2B (Territorial Waters) where we can make a more significant impact on the smuggler and traffickers business model”.
He added: “However, in order to move into the following phases we need to have a government of national accord with which to engage. A suitable legal finish is absolutely fundamental to the transition to phase 2B (Territorial Waters) as without this, we cannot be effective.
“Central to this… is an agreement with the Libyan authorities. Ultimately, they have the casting vote on the legal finish, which will in turn drive the transition to phase 2B and the appetite for member states to provide assets.”
The document notes, however, that when the operation progresses into phases 2B and 3, “the smugglers will again most likely adapt quickly to the changing situation”.
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