This is interesting - the Congo - with Lee Enfields and wooly uniforms.
Moving on to Chad later.

Why is Early in battledress for the telly and not dress uniform. Is he expecting trouble?

"Renegades and bandits" are out there and might oppose the French-backed dictator Deby..

I think I'm on my own on this one - where is St Disibod when we need him.

Robust RoEs. A term to ponder.

Minister opens with a hostage to fortune:

'It is the most challenging mission Irish troops will ever engage in.'

cactus flower wrote:

Why is Early in battledress for the telly and not dress uniform. Is he expecting trouble?

Given the production values of RTE he may have to invade to keep the show on air. Have they been drinkin' in the studio again?

Any Irish insignia on Pat Nash's battledress?

Willie O'Dea just saying he has done his homework by asking the NGOs would the Irish troops be welcome ...

He obviously didnt read the press releases from the various militias that they would consider EUFOR hostile and that they would not differentiate French troops from others.

it was like the late late toy show ,when they started showing the equipment off

talk about the gonvernment pr machine in full force...rte is really earning their license increase

Perhaps, like the Toy Show, it will become an annual event at which new and more enticing arms and equipment can be played with by Mr. Kenny and assorted children.

was there any criticism of missions in the 2 hours they were on?

lostexpectation wrote:

was there any criticism of missions in the 2 hours they were on?

No.

any mention of how the chadian rebels might approach them?

lostexpectation wrote:

any mention of how the chadian rebels might approach them?

A story was told of how an Irish officer held his arm up in greeting to some locals in the Congo only to be shot through it. No connection was made with Chad.
Apparently the NGOs told them they were going to be really, really welcome...
(no one mentioned one French soldier dead already).

well the comments i read a few weeks ago from rebels weren't that negative, but the fact they had two hours on the subject and never discussed it...that's a major problem.

they keep out of our way and we'll keep out of yours, any mention this was really a french mission, even with irish figleaf?

lostexpectation wrote:

well the comments i read a few eeks aog from rebels weren't that negative, they keep out of our way and we'll keep out of yours, any mention this was really a french mission, even with irish figleaf?

Lostexpectation, as another poster said, it was the toyshow in camoglage gear.