COMMISSION OF INQUIRY TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF MILITARY TRAINING AND ARMS TRANSFER TO RWANDA WILL VISIT FIVE AFRICAN COUNTRIES
Press Release
SC/6119
COMMISSION OF INQUIRY TO INVESTIGATE REPORTS OF MILITARY TRAINING AND ARMS TRANSFER TO RWANDA WILL VISIT FIVE AFRICAN COUNTRIES
19951103 The International Commission of Inquiry to Investigate Reports of Military Training and Arms Transfers to Former Rwandese Government Forces, was appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations on 20 October pursuant to Security Council resolution 1013 (1995). The International Commission will visit Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zaire.The International Commission is composed of the following members, among them military and police experts: Ambassador Mahmoud Kassem, Egypt (Chairman); Inspector Jean-Michel Hanssens, Canada; Colonel Jurgen G.H. Almeling, Germany; Lt. Colonel Jan Meijvogel, Netherlands; Brigadier Mujahid Alam, Pakistan; and Colonel Lameck Mutanda, Zimbabwe.
The Commission will have a small support staff. Its mandate, as set out in Security Council resolution 1013 (1995) of 7 September, is:
(a) To collect information and investigate reports relating to the sale or supply of arms and related material to former Rwandan government forces in the Great Lakes region in violation of Council resolutions 918 (1994), 997 (1995) and 1011 (1995);
(b) To investigate allegations that such forces are receiving military training in order to destabilize Rwanda;
(c) To identify parties aiding and abetting the illegal acquisition of arms by former Rwandan government forces, contrary to the Council resolutions referred to above; and
(d) To recommend measures to end the illegal flow of arms in the subregion in violation of the Council resolutions referred to above.
The International Commission is authorized to make contacts with the Governments of all the States in the region, as well as any other Government, non-governmental organization or international humanitarian organization that may have relevant information.
The Council has called on all States to cooperate with the Commission and to provide it with assistance and any information they may have. The countries concerned have also been asked to provide the International Commission with the freedom of action it needs to carry out its task when visiting border points, airfields and refugee camps, and to guarantee the safety and freedom of movement of the International Commission's members and staff.
The International Commission, which is scheduled to arrive in Rwanda on Monday, 6 November, will submit an interim report to the Secretary-General within three months (or earlier) as stipulated by the Council, and a final report as soon as possible thereafter.
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