PRESS BRIEFING BY UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS

1 May 1996

Press Briefing

PRESS BRIEFING BY UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS

19960501 FOR INFORMATION OF UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT USE ONLY

Marrack Goulding, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, this afternoon briefed correspondents on his recent visit to Rwanda and Burundi at the request of the Secretary-General. He said he had been sent to Rwanda to conclude negotiations on the establishment of a small United Nations office there following the withdrawal of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). If that could be done quickly, the Secretary-General had also asked him to travel to Burundi to review the situation there.

Mr. Goulding said the Security Council, through its resolution 1050 (1996), had urged the Secretary-General to reach agreement on the establishment of the office in Rwanda, which was to help in the process of national reconciliation, the return of refugees, strengthening of the judiciary and reform of the national infrastructure.

The Government had then asked for clarification regarding the modalities by which the office's mandate would be carried out, Mr. Goulding said. There had also been a misunderstanding that the office would be as large as UNAMIR itself. He had clarified that the Organization's intention was to establish a much smaller office.

Mr. Goulding said he had also addressed some post-UNAMIR issues, especially with regard to equipment that had been left behind by the Mission. That equipment -- including vehicles and computers -- were not "junk", although they were not all in pristine condition. Owing to the Organization's "arcane accounting system", the Government had been told its value was $8.7 million. That figure, however, represented original purchase price, a number of years ago, and did not take account of depreciation. That equipment was now being handed over to the Government.

The United Nations had embarked on a new beginning in its relations with Rwanda, Mr. Goulding said. The Government wanted the United Nations office there, and anticipated its assistance in addressing the problems facing the country.

Addressing the general situation in Rwanda, Mr. Goulding said the return of refugees had been reduced to a trickle. Tens of thousands remained in prisons and detention centres. The Government was aware of the need to reform the judicial system, but no genocide trials were taking place at present. The security situation was complicated by incursions by members of the former government forces from Zaire.

In Burundi, where there had also been an increase in cross-border activity from Zaire, the situation was very tense, Mr. Goulding said. Hutu

rebel groups had undertaken attacks, and there had been reprisals by the army in areas where the rebels had operated. He summed up the situation as representing "a downward spiral of violence".

Mr. Goulding said he had transmitted the Secretary-General's concern about the situation, including its implications for the destabilization of the region. He had stressed that the Secretary-General was ready to help, but such assistance depended on the political will of the parties to resolve their differences peacefully. He told them the United Nations fully supported the efforts of former President Julius Nyerere of the United Republic of Tanzania.

There had been a misunderstanding in Burundi that the Secretary- General's recommended contingency plan for a possible United Nations military intervention was meant to effect a change of Government, Mr. Goulding said. He said he had stressed that the plan was envisaged only in the event of a disaster situation and would be purely for humanitarian purposes, with the aim of saving lives.

Asked if the Government of Rwanda was now encouraging the return of refugees, Mr. Goulding said he thought the Government was fully conscious of the need to speed up the return of refugees. It was aware of the need to assure those who returned that they would be able to reoccupy their homes and lands. The Government also recognized that it must convince the returnees that those refugees suspected of participating in the genocide would be properly treated, through a fair judicial process, and respect for their human rights. The Government was trying hard to get the judicial system up and running again. He stressed that the return of refugees would be a slow process of creating confidence among those in the camps, where there was a great deal of disinformation.

A correspondent asked about the current stage of the contingency plans. If the need arose, could troops be deployed by Friday, for example? Mr. Goulding said they were not as ready as he would like. Some countries in Africa had said they would be ready to contribute troops in a real humanitarian crisis, but that they lacked logistical capacities. However, other countries, which did not wish to commit troops, were willing to offer such capacities. Asked what numbers were involved, he said he did not know.

Government officials from both Rwanda and Burundi had stated that they thought Zaire was trying to destabilize their countries, a correspondent said. Asked for his views on the matter, Mr. Goulding said it would be improper for the Secretariat to take a view on that. However, that view represented a widely held perception in both countries. "They feel threatened", he said. The Secretary-General had called on all countries not to allow their territory to be used as a base for attacks against neighbouring countries.

Goulding Briefing - 3 - 1 May 1996

Asked about the possibilities of a regional conference, he said such a conference could only be effective if it had the full participation of all countries concerned. Not all countries were willing to take part at present.

Responding to another question, Mr. Goulding said the United Nations, the European Union and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) all supported the efforts of former President Nyerere regarding Burundi. The Secretary- General had stressed the need to avoid a multiplicity of meetings and called on all to support President Nyerere's efforts, which were seen as "a good beginning". To a follow-up question, Mr. Goulding said he was not aware of a separate effort by the European Union, which was supporting President Nyerere.

Asked if there had been any attempt to teach basic conflict resolution skills to the Burundians, Mr. Goulding said President Nyerere's initiative represented a classic effort to mediate between political leaders.

With regard to the contingency plans, what was to prevent another Bosnia-like situation, including mixed mandates, blocked convoys and both parties blaming the United Nations? a correspondent asked. That possibility existed, Mr. Goulding said. However, in the event of a humanitarian disaster, public opinion in many parliaments would oblige governments to do something. Such efforts would be more effective in the presence of advance planning.

The Secretary-General had been extremely bitter and critical of the Americans and Europeans for ignoring the plight of Africa in general, and particularly of the refugee situation, a correspondent said. Asked for comment, Mr. Goulding said that didn't describe the man he knew, as he had never known the Secretary-General to be bitter and critical. It was true that some two thirds of United Nations resources had been applied to the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, while other situations had not been given such attention. Nevertheless, the Secretary-General was aware that political factors would invariably play a part in the decision-making process of Member States.

Had Burundi agreed had to the possibility of a humanitarian intervention, as was required? a correspondent asked. Mr. Goulding said such agreement was not necessarily required under the Charter in such a situation. Some elements -- in Burundi's armed forces, for example -- opposed such an intervention. However, it was important to stress that the plan being discussed envisaged a humanitarian disaster, in which there was a breakdown of the forces of law and order and in which many Governments would feel pressed to take action.

Asked how likely it was that the conditions for such an intervention might occur, Mr. Goulding described the situation in Burundi as "pretty grim". He cited two recent assassination attempts, one of which had succeeded, and noted that there was a great deal of terror and violence in the country. That was why there was such widespread support for President Nyerere's efforts. It had become clear that, unless they worked together, all were going to perish.

* *** *