Citation
UNCLASSIFIED
61)
United States Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
October 3, 1994
RELEASED IN FULL
CONEIDEETIAL
DECL: OADR
TO:
AF - George E. Moose
THROUGH:
AF - Prudence Bushnell
FROM:
AF/C - Arlene Rende
SUBJECT:
Your Meeting with Rwandan President Bizimungu
Grand Hotel, 2350 M Street, Oct. 5, 11:45 AM
I.
PARTICIPANTS AND PURPOSE
President Bizimungu is on his first trip to the United
States. He will probably seek U.S. assistance in several
areas, including reestablishing government and other basic
services, paying off World Bank arrears, help in rebuilding the
country, action to neutralize the threat posed by the former
Rwandan army in exile (the ex-FAR), and prompt prosecution of
those who committed genocide and other atrocities.
We should express our willingness to assist the GOR, but in
turn should press the GOR to uphold the principles of Arusha
through broadening the government's political/ethnic base,
incorporating acceptable elements of the ex-FAR into the new
country's army, and moving toward democracy and true
reconciliation. We should express our serious concern over
reports of RPF human rights abuses and urge the GOR to be
proactive in response to the disturbing reports of killings in
the southeast. Finally, we should reaffirm our commitment to
see that those responsible for genocide are brought to justice.
Bizimungu may be accompanied by Foreign Minister
Ndagijimana (who attended the UNGA), Justice Minister Nkubito,
Director of Cabinet Emmanuel Gasana, Presidential advisor (and
former local RPF representative) Charles Murigande, and the
newly arrived Charge for the Rwandan Embassy, Joseph Mutaboba.
(The new Ambassador, former Foreign Minister Anastase Gasana,
is not expected to arrive in Washington until later this
month.) DAS Bushnell and Kevin Aiston will accompany you to
the President's hotel for the meeting.
72.2-01 41477
CONFIDENTIAL
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
„chzatiatac
REVIEW
AUTHORITY: HARRY R. MELONE
UNCLASSIFIED
67,
UNCLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIAL
-2
II.
TALKING POINTS
Future Assistance and GOR Performance
-- We welcome your statements emphasizing the need for refugee
repatriation. We urge you to work to establish the necessary
conditions in Rwanda that will promote and permit the safe,
voluntary return of the refugees.
-- We understand that you will need assistance to create these
conditions, including reestablishing basic government
services, a judicial and financial systems, infrastructure
and other essentials.
-- We are willing to assist Rwanda in its recovery. However,
we, in turn, need to see concrete action from your government
to uphold your commitment to the principles of the Arusha
accord and facilitate refugee return - and, ultimately,
national reconciliation.
Refugee Return and Reconciliation
-- The refugees need to be assured they can return in security
to their property and resume their livelihood. They must be
confident that their government will protect their interests.
-- To reassure the refugees, your government should publicly
reaffirm its commitment to the Arusha accord, including a
promise to broaden the base of the government, integrate
ex-FAR soldiers, and move ultimately to elections.
-- Your government needs to reach out to the refugees and
broaden its base of political support. The installation of
the new National Assembly offers an excellent opportunity to
expand the base of the government.
-- You need to initiate meaningful contacts with the Hutu
diaspora concerning repatriation and reconciliation.
Security in the CampS.
-- We welcome your contacts with the Zairian government to
resolve issues related to repatriation and encourage you to
continue to work with Zaire on this problem.
-- You need to pursue seriously integration of acceptable
elements of the former Rwandan army in exile into the new
army, or into civilian society. Moderate ex-FAR officers
should be given responsible positions in the new army.
-- Meanwhile, the UN and the international community are
actively examining ways to address security in the camps and
border areas. We are awaiting the findings of the UN
committee of experts on this issue.
L9NCENSE4FIED
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CONFIDENTIM
- 3 Security in Rwanda/Reports of PPP Abi , ses
-- We understand your concern for security. However, we are
concerned about reports of heavy RPA presence in the
countryside, sweeps in civilian areas for weapons, and
frequent arrests and disappearances of persons fingered by
others as war criminals. These activities are intimidating
some refugees and displaced persons and inhibiting their
return home.
-- The international community can help with internal security.
UNAMIR is being expanded to help assure security, and
investigations by the Commission of Experts and planned war
crimes tribunal can identify and pursue those responsible for
the genocide and war crimes.
Reports of RPF Atrocities
-- Reprisals and attacks on civilians must be stopped. The
international community can help, through deployment of
UNAMIR and human rights monitors, but in the end it is the
responsibility of your government to protect its civilians.
-- We are deeply concerned by the reports of killings and
attacks on civilians in the east and south.
-- We welcome the government's willingness to cooperate with the
UN investigation. Recent criticism of the UNHCR, however, is
not helpful. We urge you to take a constructive approach,
including public statements reassuring the population and
prompt and effective action to end any abuses.
-- You may wish to name a point person within your government on
all human right matters, who will have full authority to
investigate, work with the UN, and see that the government
takes appropriate action to end any abuses.
Accountability
-- We assure you that we are doing everything we can to see that
those responsible for genocide and other atrocities are
brought to justice.
-- We are pressing for quick UN approval of an international war
crimes tribunal, and we are looking at ways the international
community can assist you in reviving your judicial system.
CONFIDENTIATk
UNCLASSIFIED
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- 4 III.
BACKGROUND
Future Assistance/GOR Performance
The new government lacks staff, resources, and basic
necessities. The GOR's only functional organization is the RPF
army (RPA). The GOR has built up over $4 million in World Bank
arrears, which will grow to $7.5 million by early 1995. The
recent donors meeting in Paris produced no real commitments. The
GOR has asserted its commitment to the Arusha principles of
powersharing, democracy, and the rule of law. However, the RPF's
predominant role in the government, its reluctance to hold
elections within the two years set by Arusha, and reports of RPA
attacks on Hutus have caused donors to go slow in resuming
regular bilateral aid.
The U.S. has provided over $170 million in relief aid, DoD
in-kind relief aid is estimated at $100 million, and supplemental
funding is in the works to cover the costs of Operation Support
Hope, which ended on September 30. AID had planned on an FY-95
development budget of $5 million, plus $3 million remaining from
prior years. U/S Wirth has tasked the Embassy to evaluate actual
needs so that we can determine appropriate funding levels.
Refugee Return/Reconciliation
About 2 million (new) refugees remain outside Rwanda, with up
to 2 million displaced inside Rwanda. Tutsi refugees from the
1960's have returned in large numbers (perhaps 300,000), taking
over land abandoned by fleeing Hutus. Many refugees do not trust
the RPF; recent reports of RPF atrocities have heightened their
fear. Many, perhaps most, refugees do not accept the
RPF-dominated coalition government in Kigali. The RPA's frequent
arrests of suspected (Hutu) war criminals and sweeps through
civilian areas to seize arms are not reassuring the population.
Security in the Camps
The ex-FAR and Hutu extremist militias are intimidating
refugees and hindering repatriation. The UN Committee of Experts
is still in Zaire studying the feasibility of separating the
ex-FAR from the refugees; they should complete their mission
around October 9. Some of the ex-FAR troops haves already left
the Goma area and may be preparing for incursions into Rwanda.
The GOR says the RPA is "absorbing" acceptable members of the
ex-FAR, but recent reports suggest most are being held in
re-education camps. As far as we know, the RPA has not taken on
any ex-FAR officers. Moderate ex-FAR officers that have been
allowed back are unemployed and under surveillance.
CONFIDENTIAL
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
coNrTDENTIAL
- 5 -
Security in Rwanda/Alleged RPF Atrocities
The UNHCR/Gersony report on alleged widespread, systematic
killings by the RPA is still being drafted. We expressed our
serious concern to the GOR, which has agreed to cooperate in a UN
investigation. The UN does not plan to release written findings
until the investigation is completed. UNAMIR peacekeepers have
been dispatched to the southeast, where the reports have centered.
At last count, UNAMIR had about 4200 troops on the ground.
The Indians were to start self-deploying a battalion at the end
of September, with completion on October 16. The Tunisians are
set to deploy an initial contingent on October 5, with deployment
of the remainder of the battalion also by October 16. The
Zambian battalion is deployed as the GOZ discusses load and
equipment lists with the UN. The UN has not asked for U.S.
assistance for these deployments. (We are airlifting a company
of Malians in the near future.)
The initial 26 UN human rights monitors should have arrived
in country by now. The U.S. contributed $750,000 toward the cost
of the initial contingent. Expansion to 147 monitors will
increase total costs by $8-10 million.
Accountability.
With strong U.S. encouragement, the UN Commission of Experts
recommended creation of a war crimes tribunal in its interim
report, released last week. To expedite the process, we are
pressing for a Security Council resolution to create a tribunal
which would share appellate courts, prosecutors, and possibly
other elements with the Yugoslav tribunal. The USG seconded an
FSO to the Commission of Experts and currently has a five-person
war crimes investigation team in Rwanda.
Attachmenta•
Biographic Information
Drafted:AF/C:KAiston141SEC5137,0/294
Cleared:AF/C:ARender
RFendrick
CONFIDENTIAL
UNCLASSIFIED
