Citation
3341 – 15-06
Spanish draft resolution on Rwanda
Spain convened a consultation of Non-Non SC members on its draft resolution which
foresees establishing a commission of expert to investigate the crimes of genocide and other
flagrant violations of international humanitarian law.
Apart from textual modifications, the discussion focused on the following problems:
a. CZ suggested incorporating a time limit (90 days) into the draft, within which the SG
would inform the SC on the results of the Commission’s investigation and on
appropriate recommendation (more than a year and a half passed from the time a
similar commission was established for the former Yugoslavia to the submission of its
report).
b. Brazil spoke in favor of “compatibility” of the Committee for Human Rights Special
Rapporteur’s mandate and the one of the proposed commission and recommended
including an appropriate para in this sense.
c. The problem of financial exigencies was pointed out, following from establishing the
commission and its operations. Some delegations could abuse this argument to reject
the draft. It was agreed to request the UN Secretariat to prepare information along
these lines on possible financial implications and to suggest appropriate solutions.
d. As for further developments, i.e., once the proposed commission would present its
report, the group agreed only on a very general remark, driven by an effort to
eschew determining further developments.
On the basis of these consultations, Spain will redraft its proposal. No time schedule for
submitting the draft was mentioned.
Meeting the new SRSG for Rwanda
Upon the initiative of the SC President, its non-permanent members met with the newly
designated SRSG for Rwanda, Pakistan’s Shahrir Khan. Prior to his appointment, Khan’s
position in the Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry corresponded to that of Deputy Minister.
Khan mentioned he’d be leaving for Rwanda the following week. His priority tasks include
mediating between the belligerent parties with the objective of attaining a ceasefire and
embarking on substantive negotiations on settling the conflict. The second important task
will be humanitarian assistance. He emphasized that in order to be successful, he will need
the trust of both parties to the conflict. He will strive for maximum neutrality, objectivity and
transparency.
Khan realizes just how difficult a task he is facing. He has only limited means at his disposal
to complete the mission the SG entrusted him with. UNAMIR still amounts to 270 men. A
number of African countries have promised their units but the first of them (the Ghanaian
battalion) will show up in Kigali only in three weeks. Apart from that there’s an acute
shortage of matériel, especially of armored troop carriers and communication material
without which the units cannot effectively operate.
It was agreed that Khan would regularly inform on the situation in Rwanda, either via the
Secretariat or personally, should he be in New York.
