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Army missions incomplete as soldiers assigned to security
The Belgian army is unable to fulfil one in four of its overseas missions because personnel are occupied with tasks at home such as support for police and standing in for striking prison staff, according to a leaked internal report.
In normal circumstances, the military would be committed to 44 overseas missions, including peace-keeping and military exercises with Nato forces. However, 11 of those missions remain unfulfilled because more than 1,600 are busy with other jobs. Most of them are providing security support against terrorism, while others are seconded to security at nuclear sites and standing in for prison officers.
The army counts some 18,300 soldiers. At any given time, one-third of them can be discounted because of sickness, leave, holidays and training.
“I have the impression we’re being used to break the right to strike of prison officers and police,” union representative Edwin Lauwereins told De Morgen, which received the leaked report. “Defence forces cannot be used to resolve social disputes.”
Photo: Ben Cawthra/Eyevine/BELGA
Comments
May I please comment on the over play of security at the National airport.
The delays in checking in does not endear anyone to continue using the airport.
The events were terrible but, in place of reassurance to the customers who travel, it is a constant reminder of the events, whilst not offering comfort at all as people are now crowded in line for security checks.
Three hours prior to take off is a real "put off" as to total journey time is getting too long.
Couple these extra delays with considerable industrial action at Brussels National Airport, it is becoming a place to avoid if at all possible.
Note as to the industrial actions. I suggest that someone explains the sentence about "shooting ones own foot", soon there will be less jobs as customers will seek other airports.
Bang on, Eddie.
Bang on, Eddie.