SECURITY COUNCIL ENDS UNAMIR MANDATE ON 8 MARCH 1996, ADJUSTS OBJECTIVES, RESPONDS TO WISHES OF RWANDAN GOVERNMENT
Press Release
SC/6141
SECURITY COUNCIL ENDS UNAMIR MANDATE ON 8 MARCH 1996, ADJUSTS OBJECTIVES, RESPONDS TO WISHES OF RWANDAN GOVERNMENT
19951212 Unanimously Adopts Resolution 1029 (1995), Mission to Focus on Refugee ReturnThe Security Council this afternoon adjusted the mandate of the United Nations Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) and granted a final extension until 8 March 1996.
The Council's unanimous adoption of resolution 1029 (1995) followed last Friday's four-day extension of the Mission's mandate (see Press Release SC/6139 of 8 December), designed to give Council members time for further discussions on UNAMIR's future in Rwanda. The action on the mandate was taken in light of the Rwandan Government's stated position that it not wish the Mission continued beyond 8 December of this year.
By the terms of the resolution, the Council adjusted the Mission's mandate so that UNAMIR will among other objectives assist the Government of Rwanda in facilitating the voluntary and safe return of refugees; assist the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) and other international agencies in the provision of logistical support for the repatriation of refugees; and contribute, with the agreement of the Government of Rwanda, to the security in Rwanda of United Nations personnel and premises, including those of the International Tribunal for Rwanda and the Human Rights Field Operation in that country.
In expressing his Government's acceptance of a further and final three- month extension of UNAMIR's mandate, at a reduced force level and with an adjusted mandate, the representative of Rwanda told Council members that the Mission could not, and was not expected to, assume responsibility for security and stability in Rwanda.
The representative of Rwanda further argued that as a result of policies put in place and implemented by his Government, the process of national reconciliation was indeed under way in his country. In an analysis of "contradictions" that had underlain Secretariat and Security Council decisions and assumptions on Rwanda, he accused the United Nations of an inhibited
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response to the massacres of 1994, pointing out that those killings had been brought to a halt by Rwandan Government action alone. "Operation Turquoise", launched in late 1994 with Security Council blessing as a humanitarian operation, had in fact enabled some of those guilty of the massacres to seek refuge and begin to rearm, he added.
Several speakers in debate before and after today's vote expressed reservations at the wisdom of deciding at this stage on a final cutoff date for UNAMIR.
The representative of Canada, speaking in accordance with rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, said that to his country, a troop- contributor, the prognosis for an end to such vicious events as the genocide of 1994 did not look bright. The previous reduction of UNAMIR had left it inadequate to accomplish its mandate: a further reduction, with conditions dictated by the Government of Rwanda, was unfortunate. Given the new force structure, Canada would have to consider carefully its participation in UNAMIR.
Today's resolution requests the Secretary-General to reduce the force level of UNAMIR to 1,200 personnel; to reduce the number of military observers, headquarters and other military support staff to 200; to initiate planning for UNAMIR's complete withdrawal (to take place within six weeks after the present mandate expires); and to withdraw the Civilian Police component of UNAMIR.
The resolution also expressed the Council's "great concern" at reports of military preparations and incursions into Rwanda by elements of the former regime. It underlined the need for effective measures to ensure that Rwandan nationals now in neighbouring countries, including those in camps, do not undertake military activities aimed at destabilizing Rwanda or receive arms supplies, in view of the likelihood that such arms are intended for use within Rwanda.
In that context, the Council welcomed the establishment of the International Commission of Inquiry charged with investigating reports of the supply of arms and related materiel to former Rwandan government forces in the Great Lakes region of Africa.
The Council further requested the Secretary-General to examine the feasibility of transferring UNAMIR non-lethal equipment for use in Rwanda -- for example by United Nations agencies -- in assisting the Government of Rwanda in refugee repatriation and in reconstruction.
Also speaking in this afternoon's meeting were the representatives of the United Kingdom, China, Indonesia, Botswana, Nigeria, Germany, Honduras, United States, Italy and France.
The representatives of France and Rwanda also spoke in exercise of the right to reply.
The meeting, which was called to order at 4:32 p.m., was adjourned at 5:51 p.m.
Security Council Work Programme
The Security Council meets this afternoon to consider the report of the Secretary-General (document S/1995/1002), which presents an update of the situation in Rwanda as of 30 November and contains his recommendations regarding the United Nations' role after the conclusion of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR).
The Mission's mandate, which expired last Friday, 8 December, was extended by the Council on that date for four days until 12 December in order to allow further discussion of the questions raised by the Secretary-General's report. [For earlier overview of report, see Press Release SC/6139 of 8 December.]
In his report, the Secretary-General states that the Government of Rwanda does not agree to an extension of UNAMIR's mandate. Surveying the situation, the Secretary-General reviews the latest political developments in the country; the human rights situation; progress by the International Tribunal for Rwanda in its investigations into last year's massacres; military and security aspects of UNAMIR; the Mission's civilian police component; and humanitarian, economic, social and financial aspects of UNAMIR.
The reason given for the Government of Rwanda's opposition to an extension of UNAMIR's mandate beyond its 8 December expiration date is that the Mission does not serve Rwanda's real needs. However, the Government has indicated that it would be receptive to a continued United Nations presence, provided its purpose was to assist Rwanda in rehabilitation and reconstruction -- including the provision of technical expertise, financial assistance and equipment. Since UNAMIR cannot remain in Rwanda without the Government's consent, it is the Secretary-General's intention to initiate the drawdown of the operation as of 8 December.
The withdrawal process would take two or three months to complete. During that period, UNAMIR would be unable to fulfil its present mandate, but would concentrate on ensuring the peaceful departure of United Nations military personnel and equipment. The Secretary-General expects the Government of Rwanda to facilitate the orderly departure of UNAMIR personnel and equipment.
The report concludes that the core issue for Rwanda remains national reconciliation. That will require rapid creation of conditions facilitating the safe return of 1.5 million refugees to their homes, and the bringing to justice of the perpetrators of genocide. After nearly a year and a half in camps in Zaire and the United Republic of Tanzania, the refugees have placed formidable burdens on the host countries, sometimes straining their goodwill.
In addition, increasing infiltration and sabotage by the former Rwandese Government Forces and militia have heightened tension both within the country and between Rwanda and its neighbours, creating the danger of cycles of mutual recrimination and increasing the risk of forceful refoulement of the refugees.
Against that background, the report continues, it is all the more important to address the issue of the refugees' voluntary return and safe
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reintegration in their home communities. Forced repatriation, if implemented, could lead to another humanitarian disaster. Accordingly, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is pursuing a sustained effort to persuade refugees to return voluntarily. It is vital that neighbouring States support that effort by demonstrating the political will to implement the existing agreements for refugee return contained in the Nairobi Declaration and the Bujumbura Plan of Action. The international community and United Nations agencies, for their part, will need to lend their full backing to overcome obstacles to voluntary return, which include intimidation in the camps and fears of persecution in Rwanda.
Efforts to induce a large-scale refugee return will need to be viewed in a three- to six-month time-frame, the Secretary-General states, noting that a large part of the international community believes that a further six-month extension of UNAMIR's current mandate is desirable. While UNAMIR's role could only be one of facilitation, and while principal responsibility for providing security and support for the return of the refugees lies with the Government of Rwanda, a continued UNAMIR presence could help build confidence among the refugees and encourage them to return.
That view, says the Secretary-General, is shared by donor countries, most UNAMIR troop contributors, the UNHCR, the International Tribunal, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations agencies, the Secretary- General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), non-governmental organizations and Rwanda's neighbours. They feel that 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.
It is necessary to bear in mind, says the report, that the Organization's overarching objective is the restoration of peace and stability not only in Rwanda but in the region as a whole. That requires solutions not only to the problems of reconciliation, justice and the return of refugees in Rwanda, but to the other problems contributing to tension and instability in the Great Lakes region. Efforts to achieve a comprehensive solution must therefore continue. The Secretary-General hopes that continued progress in cooperation among the countries of the region will create the necessary conditions for early achievement of such a solution.
The Secretary-General goes on to recommend that the United Nations, which still has a useful role to play in political efforts to achieve those ends, should maintain a political presence in Rwanda after UNAMIR's withdrawal. A United Nations office headed by his Special Representative could be established with a view to furthering, in consultation with the Government of Rwanda, the search for peace and stability. His Special Representative would also retain overall authority for the coordination or expansion of United Nations and international community assistance towards Rwanda's rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. It is understood that in accordance with the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities, Rwanda would allow that Office country-wide freedom of movement and ensure its security. As for Rwanda's expressed wish to retain non-lethal equipment now belonging to the Mission after UNAMIR's withdrawal, the Secretary-General states that only the General Assembly can decide on that issue.
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Draft Resolution
The Council also has before it a draft resolution (document S/1995/1015) sponsored by Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and the United States, the text of which reads as follows:
"The Security Council,
"Recalling all its previous resolutions on the situation in Rwanda, in particular its resolution 872 (1993) of 5 October 1993 by which it established the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR), and its resolutions 912 (1994) of 21 April 1994, 918 (1994) of 17 May 1994, 925 (1994) of 8 June 1994, 965 (1994) of 30 November 1994 and 997 (1995) of 9 June 1995, which set out the mandate of UNAMIR,
"Recalling its resolution 955 (1994) of 8 November 1994, establishing the International Tribunal for Rwanda, and its resolution 978 (1995) of 27 February 1995, concerning the necessity for the arrest of persons suspected of committing genocide in Rwanda,
"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on UNAMIR dated 1 December 1995 (S/1995/1002),
"Noting the letters of the Foreign Minister of Rwanda to the Secretary- General of 13 August 1995 and 24 November 1995 (S/1995/1018, Annex I and S/1995/1018, Annex II),
"Stressing the importance of the voluntary and safe repatriation of Rwandan refugees and of genuine national reconciliation,
"Noting with great concern continuing reports of military preparations and incursions into Rwanda by elements of the former regime, underlining the need for effective measures to ensure that Rwandan nationals currently in
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neighbouring countries, including those in camps, do not undertake military activities aimed at destabilizing Rwanda or receive arms supplies, in view of the great likelihood that such arms are intended for use within Rwanda, and welcoming in this context the establishment of the International Commission of Inquiry pursuant to its resolution 1013 (1995) of 7 September 1995,
"Underlining the need for increased efforts to assist the Government of Rwanda in the promotion of a climate of confidence and trust in order to facilitate the return of Rwandan refugees in neighbouring countries,
"Emphasizing the necessity for the accelerated disbursement of international assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Rwanda,
"Welcoming the summit of Heads of State of the Great Lakes Region held in Cairo on 28-29 November and the Declaration of 29 November 1995 issued by them (S/1995/1001),
"Emphasizing the importance of all States acting in accordance with the recommendations adopted by the Regional Conference on Assistance to Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons in the Great Lakes Region held in Bujumbura in February 1995 and those contained in the Cairo Declaration,
"Commending the Government of Rwanda's continuing efforts to maintain peace and security as well as to reconstruct and rehabilitate the country,
"Recognizing the valuable contribution that the human rights officers deployed by the High Commissioner for Human Rights to Rwanda have made towards the improvement of the overall situation,
"Acknowledging the responsibility of the Government of Rwanda for the safety and security of all UNAMIR personnel and other international staff serving in the country,
"1. Decides to extend the mandate of UNAMIR for a final period until 8 March 1996;
"2. Decides also, in the light of current efforts to restore peace and stability through the voluntary and safe repatriation of Rwandan refugees, to adjust the mandate of UNAMIR so that UNAMIR will:
"(a) Exercise its good offices to assist in achieving the voluntary and safe repatriation of Rwandan refugees within the frame of reference of the recommendations of the Bujumbura Conference and the Cairo Summit of the Heads of State of the Great Lakes Region, and in promoting genuine national reconciliation,
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"(b) Assist the Government of Rwanda in facilitating the voluntary and safe return of refugees and, to this end, to support the Government of Rwanda in its ongoing efforts to promote a climate of confidence and trust through the performance of monitoring tasks,
"(c) Assist the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other international agencies in the provision of logistical support for the repatriation of refugees,
"(d) Contribute, with the agreement of the Government of Rwanda, to the protection of the International Tribunal for Rwanda as an interim measure until alternative arrangements agreed with the Government of Rwanda can be put in place,
"3. Requests the Secretary-General to reduce the force level of UNAMIR to 1,200 troops to carry out the mandate set out in paragraph 2 above;
"4. Requests the Secretary-General to reduce the number of military observers, headquarters and other military support staff to 200;
"5. Requests the Secretary-General to initiate planning for the complete withdrawal of UNAMIR after the expiry of the present mandate, that withdrawal to take place within a period of six weeks after the expiry of the mandate;
"6. Requests the Secretary-General to withdraw the Civilian Police component of UNAMIR;
"7. Requests the Secretary-General to examine, in the context of existing United Nations regulations, the feasibility of transferring UNAMIR non-lethal equipment, as elements of UNAMIR withdraw, for use in Rwanda;
"8. Takes note of the cooperation existing between the Government of Rwanda and UNAMIR in the implementation of its mandate and urges the Government of Rwanda and UNAMIR to continue to implement the Status of Mission Agreement of 5 November 1993 and any subsequent agreement to replace that Agreement in order to facilitate the implementation of the new mandate;
"9. Calls upon the Government of Rwanda to take all necessary measures to ensure that UNAMIR personnel and equipment that are scheduled to withdraw can do so in an orderly and safe manner;
"10. Commends the efforts of States, United Nations agencies and non- governmental organizations which have provided humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons in need, encourages them to continue such assistance, and calls upon the Government of Rwanda to continue to facilitate their delivery and distribution;
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"11. Calls upon States and donor agencies to fulfil their earlier commitments to give assistance for Rwanda's rehabilitation efforts, to increase such assistance, and in particular to support the early and effective functioning of the International Tribunal and the rehabilitation of the Rwandan justice system;
"12. Also calls upon States to cooperate fully with the International Commission of Inquiry established pursuant to resolution 1013 (1995);
"13. Encourages the Secretary-General and his Special Representative to continue to coordinate the activities of the United Nations in Rwanda, including those of the organizations and agencies active in the humanitarian and developmental field, and of the human rights officers;
"14. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council by 1 February 1996 on the discharge by UNAMIR of its mandate and progress towards repatriation of refugees;
"15. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."
Statements Before Vote
ROBERT R. FOWLER (Canada) said that Canada welcomed all signs of potential progress in the Great Lakes area but remained concerned that the situation in the area was inherently unstable due to the presence of 1.6 million refugees around Rwanda's perimeter. The UNAMIR's activities in assisting confidence-building and in the peaceful and orderly repatriation of refugees still deserved the full support of the Government of Rwanda and of the international community.
He said the prognosis for an end to such vicious events as the genocide of 1994 was not bright and national reconciliation would be achieved only when the refugees had come home in dignity and the perpetrators of genocide had been brought to justice. Since last June, however, the Government had indicated a growing reluctance to have a peace-keeping mission in its territory, although it would be in their interest to maintain an efffective peace-keeping operation in Rwanda for the purpose of confidence-building, national reconciliation and to assist in the safe return of the refugees. The Mission was also the backbone and rallying point of a large part of the international humanitarian assistance in Rwanda. The psychological value of the force had been extremely important.
He deplored the order given to 38 non-governmental organizations to leave Rwanda. He was also concerned with arbitrary arrests and detention in Rwanda as well as the conditions of detention of prisoners. During the discussions over the past six months, the Government of Rwanda had tried to dictate the force structure necessary to accomplish the mandate which the
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Council would assign to the Force. It had even refused to accept that UNAMIR should contribute to the safety of international personnel, in case of need. It had ever more stridently sought to impose unacceptable and unworkable constraints on the continuation of UNAMIR. At a Force level of 1,800 in addition to 300 observers, UNAMIR's presence had been inadequate to accomplish its mandate. A further reduction would be unfortunate because the Organization had allowed Rwanda to set its own conditions on the mandate and structure of the Mission, independent of expert advice as to what is required. It was unfortunate as well as the Council would be compromising the integrity of a peace-keeping mandate and the credibility of the Organization to fulfil the short-term, politically expedient requirement of retaining the Mission at all costs. It was particularly unfortunate because UNAMIR would not be able to do the job which it was designed to accomplish.
The UNAMIR would now be confined largely, in a garrison mode, to Kigali. How, from Kigali, would the Force acquit the task of assisting the UNHCR and other international agencies, he asked? How could the Council agree to withdraw one crucial element of the mandate, that of protecting international personnel? The Council was demonstrating that it had not absorbed the lessons learned in the recent past in peace-keeping operations. If the Member States were not prepared to provide adequate resources, the United Nations should not be involved.
He said the United Nations should not allow itself to be put in the position of a supplicant, of pleading with any government to receive or retain a peace-keeping operation. In that case, it would have been preferable to withdraw UNAMIR immediately. Given the new force structure of a limited and possibly ineffective operation, Canada would have to consider its options carefuly regarding its own participation in UNAMIR, he concluded.
JOHN WESTON (United Kingdom) said the Government of Rwanda deserved every credit for its efforts in ensuring a climate of security in the country, in particular its recommitment to ensuring the safety of international personnel in Rwanda. At the same time, international humanitarian personnel in Rwanda attached importance to UNAMIR's continued presence, and today's resolution would be important in that respect.
With the presence of 1.6 million refugees in States neighbouring Rwanda continuing to give concern, he welcomed the fact that leaders at the Heads of State Summit in Cairo on 28-29 November had pledged to encourage the return of refugees to their home countries. He welcomed the Government of Rwanda's agreement to the extension of UNAMIR's mandate, with that as the primary focus. If there was to be a substantive return of refugees to Rwanda in the next few months, UNAMIR's continued presence would be key to ensuring their safe return in conditions of dignity.
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It was also a matter of greatest importance that the perpetrators of the genocide be brought to justice. Noting that the International Tribunal for Rwanda had now begun identifying the perpetrators of genocide and bringing them to justice, he called on all States to cooperate with the Tribunal as it went about its work. Noting that this was the final extension of UNAMIR's mandate, he nevertheless stated his belief that the United Nations and the international community at large would continue to play an important role after UNAMIR's withdrawal on 8 March 1996.
QIN HUASUN (China) was glad that the improvement of the security situation in Rwanda had brought about further improvement of its humanitarian situation and moved it gradually down the road of rehabilitation, reconstruction and development. But the core of the Rwandan question was now national reconciliation. The most important element of that endeavour was the voluntary repatriation of 1.6 million refugees. The protracted presence of such large numbers of refugees had brought huge pressures to bear on Rwanda and the region as a whole.
Today's draft resolution, he continued, conformed to the interests of the Rwandan people. With an adjusted mandate and size, UNAMIR would now play mainly a mediative role, assisting the voluntary return of the Rwandan refugees and helping the country achieve national reconciliation within the framework of the Arusha Peace Agreement. The Chinese delegation would therefore vote in favour of the draft now before the Council.
MAKARIM WIBISONO (Indonesia) congratulated the Government of Rwanda for its efforts in fostering peace and security and especially in its determination to reconstruct and rehabilitate the country. He was concerned, however, by the continuing atmosphere of tension and instability prevailing throughout the region. The problems confronting Rwanda were complex and required an integrated approach that took into account the underlying aspects and considerations.
He said a stable and lasting peace would continue to be elusive until the protracted problems such as refugee repatriation and national reconciliation were adequately addressed. He could see the possibility of transferring non-lethal equipment to Rwanda as it assumed greater responsibility in refugee repatriation and national reconciliation.
He called on the United Nations agencies as well as non-governmental organizations to continue to lend their valuable assistance to the Government of Rwanda. He would vote in favour of the draft which provided good offices for voluntary and safe repatriation of refugees, logistical support and should contribute to a climate of mutual trust.
LEGWAILA LEGWAILA (Botswana) said that UNAMIR's presence was an important catalyst in the process of national healing and a reassurance to the refugees that they could return to their country safely, in honour and with
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dignity. It was regrettable, though, that 1.6 million refugees were still in camps in neighbouring States. Their return and resettlement was a key element in the process of national reconciliation. However, while welcoming the outcome of the Cairo regional conference organized by former United States President Jimmy Carter, he believed that that conference was not intended to be a substitute for the United Nations proposed regional conference. The United Nations and the OAU should continue to enable the governments of the 1111111region to find common ground on an agenda for the conference.
While he was pleased that the spirit of compromise had prevailed in engendering today's consensus draft text, Botswana's preference would have been for UNAMIR's mandate to be extended by a further six months. That was even more crucial in view of the increased infiltration and acts of sabotage perpetrated by the former Rwandese government forces. He applauded the flexibility demonstrated by the Government of Rwanda in accepting a further three-month extension in response to the overwhelming views of the international community.
The assistance of the international community would continue to be critical to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Rwanda. He hoped that assistance would continue in the challenging times ahead.
IBRAHIM GAMBARI (Nigeria) said that a return to stability, security and harmony was largely dependent on national reconciliation. That process could only be facilitated if conditions conducive to the return of the refugees were created and those suspected of genocide were brought to justice.
Repatriation must be voluntary, safe and orderly and that had a regional dimension, he said. The Cairo conference, useful as it had been, could not be a substitute for a United Nations conference co-sponsored by the OAU. He requested the Secretary-General to continue his consultations with the countries of the region to find the basis for the holding of such a conference.
With regard to the International Tribunal for Rwanda, he hoped it would soon get over its remaining administrative and procedural problems so that it could contribute to the process of national reconciliation.
He sympathized with the Rwandan view that the existing mandate of UNAMIR was not well-suited to the current needs of the Government and people for reconstruction, rehabilitation and rebuilding. None the less, UNAMIR still had useful contributions to make to the improvement of the situation in Rwanda. He did not want the mandate to be terminated abruptly.
He would vote in favour of the mandate with the understanding that when the mandate expired in March, the continued presence of the United Nations as
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proposed by the Secretary-General would be necessary and, in that connection, he supported the continuation of the good offices mission of the Secretary- General.
GERHARD HENZE (Germany) said that the revised mandate of UNAMIR reflected the progress made within Rwanda towards security and stability. The overriding requirement now was to assist the Government of Rwanda in facilitating the safe and voluntary return of refugees. Germany was satisfied that, with today's draft, UNAMIR continued to have a mandate allowing it to assist effectively in that process.
Germany, he said, would have preferred not to have to decide at this stage on the end of UNAMIR's mandate, but of course the wishes of the Rwandan Government must be respected. He was certain that it would provide full cooperation with UNAMIR while the Mission was still on the ground.
The UNAMIR continued to provide protection for the International Tribunal for Rwanda. However, the Government of Rwanda now insisted that it alone would provide protection for other international personnel. In Germany's view, international agencies and non-governmental organizations on the ground would not be able to carry out their important humanitarian tasks unless the Rwandan Government ensured their safety and fully cooperated with them. His Government was confident that Rwanda would fulfil that task.
GERARDO MARTINEZ BLANCO (Honduras) said there had been no progress with respect to the number of refugees returning voluntarily because of intimidation in the camps and the uncertainty they felt about finding shelter and their property when they returned. Their return must be voluntary and take place in dignity and in accordance with the basic framework of the Nairobi Declaration.
Regarding the infiltration of armed forces and militia from refugee camps in neighbouring countries, he stressed the importance his Government attached to holding a regional conference to deal with the question of regional security and stability.
He said the presence of UNAMIR should continue to facilitate the return of refugees, the security of the International Tribunal and international organizations in the country, to assist in the rebuilding of the basic infrastructure and to participate in monitoring tasks. There should be an increase in the level of international assistance. He urged the Government of Rwanda to continue to cooperate with UNAMIR in the implementation of its mandate.
The Council then unanimously adopted the resolution as resolution 1029 (1995).
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Statements After Vote
EDWARD GNEHM (United States) noted that UNAMIR had been a factor in helping to foster a climate of security within Rwanda. However, the presence of over a million refugees just over Rwanda's borders meant that the region of which Rwanda was a part still faced instability. The repatriation of those refugees was a critical component of regional peace and stability, and he believed that UNAMIR could play an important role in facilitating such a return process. It was with that in view that UNAMIR's mandate over the next three months had been refocused on the range of tasks it could perform to help smooth the way for the refugees' repatriation.
He was heartened that after a regrettably slow start, the International Tribunal was on the verge of having an impact on the culture of impunity which now permeated Rwandan society. It was vitally important that the Tribunal have the sense of security needed to continue its impartial investigations and prosecutions. Clearly, they could not do so without the protection and good will of the Government of Rwanda. It was equally clear that they needed the added guarantee of an impartial third party to ensure their independence. He understood that the Tribunal was arranging for a United Nations presence that would replace UNAMIR in ensuring its independence, and he appreciated the cooperation of the Government of Rwanda in that effort.
Noting that UNAMIR had provided invaluable support to the various agencies and humanitarian organizations which had been working to assist the people of Rwanda, he said the United States fully expected UNAMIR to continue to assist the humanitarian agencies as the need arose. United Nations forces had the right, indeed the obligation, to come to the aid of other United Nations and other personnel in time of need.
F. PAOLO FULCI (Italy) said that although the situation in Rwanda had steadily normalized in the past 12 months, and significant progress had been made in many sectors of the country's life, many serious questions remained unresolved, in particular the question of refugee repatriation; bringing to justice those responsible for the genocide; conditions of life in the prisons; and the urgent need to fully reactivate the judicial system. Ending the United Nations Mission to Rwanda would not have helped the United Nations to mobilize the support and international aid needed to address those issues and to rebuild the country, or eased the growing tension in the Great Lakes Region.
To achieve the common goal of voluntary repatriation of refugees, he said, a climate of trust and confidence must prevail in the country and throughout the region. Rwanda's efforts in reconstruction and development could not produce long-term effects until stability had been assured, both inside the country and on its borders. There could be no development without peace, reconciliation and stability.
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He hoped that in the next three months a new relationship would be forged between Rwanda, the United Nations and the international community. Distrust and suspicion would not foster international cooperation in the area. Dialogue was always better than confrontation. He reiterated the need to convene a broad-ranging conference on peace, stability and development in the area, under the auspices of the United Nations and other international organizations.
ALAIN DEJAMMET (France) said that his delegation had voted in favour of this afternoon's resolution even though it was not fully convinced of its wisdom. While it was clear that a positive trend was emerging in Rwanda, the fact remained, as the Secretary-General had pointed out, that Rwanda and the Great Lakes region as a whole continued to face the most serious problems. Efforts aimed at national reconciliation were not bearing fruit. Some 1.6 million refugees remained where they had been set down over a year ago, without any real hope of imminent return. It had to be recognized that stability and security had not been restored in that region of Africa. Tensions remained sharp, and fears for the future were well founded.
Against that background, UNAMIR had so far played a positive role, which was precisely why France had hoped that the Mission would be kept in place to fulfil the tasks assigned to it by the Council last June, he continued. Frankly, France would have hoped that no decision be taken today on the closure of the Mission on 8 March of next year. The Government of Rwanda had decided otherwise. He hoped that the departure of the United Nations force would not be followed by a deterioration of the situation in the region.
France believed that the role of the United Nations in Rwanda after the withdrawal of UNAMIR would be more necessary than ever. He called on the Government of Rwanda to exercise flexibility in the coming negotiations with the Secretariat on that question.
Addressing the Council, MANZI BAKURAMUTSA (Rwanda) said he wished to address the contradictions in the recent decisions of the Secretariat and Security Council on the situation in Rwanda. The first contradiction was based on the belief that appropriate action had been taken before and during genocide in Rwanda. However, the Mission was established on 5 October 1993 with a mandate to assist in ensuring the security of Kigali. In the early part of 1994, high-ranking UNAMIR personnel, United Nations agencies and the diplomatic corps in Kigali were aware that members of the former government were planning mass killings of Rwandans. In spite of that clear knowledge and UNAMIR's mandate to ensure security, at least in Kigali, UNAMIR personnel appeared inhibited from assisting innocent unarmed civilians, among them, women and children as well as hospitalized patients.
In April 1994, when genocide was launched on an unprecedented scale, the response of the Security Council was to withdraw UNAMIR. On 21 April, two weeks after the killings began, the members of that same august Chamber
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decided by resolution 912 (1994) to reduce UNAMIR's force level from 2,500 to 270 -- a number which was incapable of responding to the extensive trauma being experienced by Rwandan society at that time. The mandate and the size of this symbolic force made it ineffective in the face of mass slaughter organized by the State. By the end of June 1994 approximately 1 million Rwandan had been massacred in a genocide unprecedented in Africa and watched by the entire world on international television.
"Operation Turquoise", another solution proposed by the Security Council, had only exacerbated an already complex situation, he said. In spite of its mandate to provide security and to protect displaced persons, refugees and civilians at risk, Operation Turquoise provided a safe haven for the perpetrators of genocide. It was the Rwandans themselves who single-handedly stopped the massacres on 4 July.
The second contradiction, he stated, was based on the implementation of earlier decisions made by the Security Council. Four months after the massacres, in September 1994, UNAMIR was redeployed at a strength of 5,500 -- a redeployment which was far too late, and too large. The situation had drastically changed inside Rwanda. In fact, UNAMIR's mandate could have been best implemented outside Rwanda in refugee camps: preventing the intimidation of refugees in the camps outside Rwanda; facilitating the refugees return to Rwanda; and implementing the Security Council's resolution on the arms embargo on the former Rwandese government which had been consistently violated.
Following the Rwandan victory over genocide, he went on, a government of national unity had been formed; a national parliament representing all political parties had been constituted; more than 6 million Rwandans, including new and old returning refugees, were living together peacefully inside the country. There had been reintegration of former administrative personnel into the new public service, and the new Rwandan army had reintegrated large numbers of soldiers and high ranking officers of the former regime. All of those policy decisions and actions constituted national reconciliation for Rwandans. That contrasted with other interpretations of what national reconciliation should be. As far as the Rwandans were concerned, national reconciliation was already in progress.
However, it was important to understand the problems facing Rwanda despite the tremendous efforts of the Rwandan Government, he stated. They included bringing the perpetrators of genocide to justice, both nationally and internationally; putting an end to infiltration and sabotage by the former Rwandese armed forces along Rwanda's western border; intimidation of refugees in the refugee camps; and economic and social reconstruction of Rwanda. Presently UNAMIR could not, and was not expected to, respond to any of those priorities.
Security Council - 17 - Press Release SC/6141 3605th Meeting (PM) 12 December 1995
Nevertheless, UNAMIR had played an important role in facilitating transportation and providing logistical support in areas of need in Rwanda. In that respect, its departure would leave a gap in those areas. The loss of transportation, office, communication and medical equipment -- to name a few -- as a result of pillage by the former Rwandese government and the former armed forces had left Rwanda in great need. For that reason, the Government of Rwanda had requested the donation of some of UNAMIR's non-lethal equipment to the Government and people of Rwanda on UNAMIR's departure. Such donations would be a gesture of goodwill on the part of Member States to a people who had experienced an unprecedented tragedy and its aftermath during the past 20 months.
During and after the remaining three months of UNAMIR's mandate, the Government of Rwanda would continue to ensure the security of all persons in Rwanda, including UNAMIR personnel and personnel of international organizations, as well as personnel of the International Tribunal for Rwanda. Additional measures had already been agreed on between the Government of Rwanda and the International Tribunal to ensure the protection of the Tribunal personnel. Any other needs in the area of security would be considered by the Rwandan Government, as appropriate, he concluded.
Rights of Reply
HERVE LADSOUS (France), speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said that Operation Turquoise had been a humanitarian operation intended to save human lives at a time when the international commmunity had been unable to mobilize to resolve the tragedy of that time. Moreover, it had been carried out by a multinational force and undertaken with a mandate given by the Security Council. While France had participated actively in that force it did not do so to be thanked but to prevent further tragedy.
Mr. BAKURAMUTSA (Rwanda) said he did not want to engage in polemics but his Government felt that Operation Turquoise had come too late. A million Rwandans had already been exterminated. Moreover, the term multinational force was symbolic as the force had actually been made up of people from one country. Looking at the military materiel that was used by the force, one could not call it humanitarian. In fact, the zone that was created by the operation served as a refuge for all the criminals who had not been able to cross the border.
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