SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE OF RWANDA MISSION UNTIL 12 DECEMBER

8 December 1995

Press Release
SC/6139

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE OF RWANDA MISSION UNTIL 12 DECEMBER

19951208 Mandate Was Due to Expire at Midnight Today; Secretary-General's Report Notes Government Does Not Agree to Extension

The Security Council this afternoon extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) until 12 December 1995. The mandate was due to expire today at midnight.

With unanimous adoption of resolution 1028 (1995), the Council allowed a four-day period for further consultations on the Secretary-General's report on UNAMIR and the future of the Mission.

In his report (document S/1995/1002), the Secretary-General notes that the Government of Rwanda does not agree to an extension of UNAMIR's current mandate. However, he says, a continued UNAMIR presence in the country could help build confidence among the refugees and encourage them to return, a necessity in addressing the "core issue" of national reconciliation.

That view, says the Secretary-General, is shared by donor countries, most UNAMIR troop-contributors, United Nations bodies, non-governmental organizations and Rwanda's neighbours. If UNAMIR was to be perceived as abandoning Rwanda at this critical time it would send a discouraging message to the refugees, the region and the international community, the report states.

In a letter to the Secretary-General dated 24 November 1995 (document S/1995/1018) also being considered in the Council's deliberations, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Rwanda states that UNAMIR does not respond to Rwanda's current priorities -- security, rehabilitation of survivors of genocide, repatriation of refugees, and reconstruction of the country. The letter adds that the security of Rwanda is the responsibility of the Government of Rwanda and that UNAMIR, a peace-keeping mission, plays no role in it.

The meeting, which was called to order at 5:13 p.m., was adjourned at 5:16 p.m.

Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6139 3604th Meeting (PM) 8 December 1995

The full text of this afternoon's resolution, to be issued as Council resolution 1028 (1995), reads as follows:

"The Security Council,

"Recalling all its previous resolutions on the situation in Rwanda, in particular its resolution 997 (1995) of 9 June 1995,

"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) of 1 December 1995 (S/1995/1002),

"1. Decides to extend the mandate of UNAMIR for a period expiring on 12 December 1995;

"2. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."

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