Citation
2886 – 11‐05
At informals, the SGs unofficial report on Rwanda stated being
considered. The discussion indicated that the primary task for the SC
is guaranteeing the security of IDPs and the distribution of
humanitarian assistance on Rwanda territory, regardless of the fact
that neither RGF nor the RPF have explicitly expressed their approval
of this operation. A subsequent or parallel task will be to pressure
the parties in the conflict to start talks about a cease-‐fire.
Most delegation spoke in favor of separating the humanitarian action
from enforcing political objectives – the cease-fire and starting
peace talks. There is general support for imposing an embargo on arms
and military equipment to Rwanda and for opening the investigation of
crimes against humanity and bringing those responsible for them to
justice.
The SG’s report anticipates the dispatch of some 5,500 soldiers,
creating a neutral zone under UN control around the Kigali airport and
safe zones in areas with a high concentration of IDPs. The main
content of the mandate would be arranging for the safety of IDPs in
these zones, the protection of humanitarian convoys and the
distribution of humanitarian assistance. The report does not
anticipate peace-‐enforcement, apart from self-‐defense. UNAMIR HQ
would be in Kigali and the airport would be the focal point for
receiving and distributing aid.
The US delegation presented a proposal to establish protective zones
along the borders with Tanzania, Burundi and Zaire in which IDPs would
concentrate with UNAMIR taking care of their safety. According to the
US, fewer troops would be needed for this alternative, it would be
less expensive and logistically more manageable than from Kigali (as
assumed in the SG’s report) which is the center of fighting. If this
alternative were adopted, the US would be prepared to significantly
participate in the financial, lift and equipment support of the
operation.
Toward the end, the SC President distributed a draft resolution based
on suggestions of NZ and Djibouti, with a view to the SG’s report. It
will be discussed tomorrow. The SG’s representative informed that
fighting between the RPF and the RGF is continuing in Kigali and in
other places. RGF is defending against an RPF attack in Kigali but it
seems that the RPF has the upper hand. Some 40 people were killed
yesterday in Kigali, including three local journalists. On Monday, a
Ghanaian UNAMIR member was killed. Fighting is going on 1-‐ 2 km from
the airport which is intermittently closed. That makes transport of
assistance from Nairobi more difficult. Information keeps coming about
continuing massacres in areas under the control of militias, though
their extent is diminishing. According to Gharekhan, it seems that
neither party to the conflict is prepared to cease fire and start
talks.
Ayala Lasso, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has arrived in
Rwanda. He should be meeting RPF representatives today and those of
the RGF tomorrow.
