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New Zaire fighting erupts as aid force takes shape
First U.S. troops arrive in region
November 14, 1996
Web posted at: 10:15 a.m EST (1515 GMT)In this story:
(CNN) -- One day after the United States agreed to limited participation in a Canadian-led international relief effort for central African refugees, a 43-member U.S. survey team arrived in Rwanda early Thursday to begin assessing what kind of security would be necessary for U.S. troops.
A preparatory team of 24 Canadian soldiers was set to fly into eastern Zaire Thursday to prepare for the mission. In Paris, French Foreign Minister Herve de Charette said Thursday the multinational force could be ready for deployment in Zaire by the weekend.
CNN's Christiane Amanpour on Zaire 
"Small amount of fighting. . ."
(19 sec./432K AIFF or WAV sound)"Challenge of intervention. . ."
(26 sec./584K AIFF or WAV sound)"Difficult to secure the area. . ."
(16 sec./417K AIFF or WAV sound)Meanwhile rebels and pro-government forces traded fire in eastern Zaire as plans proceeded for the international force to bring food and medical supplies to refugees in the region.
Refugees trampled in rush for food Wednesday
U.S. National Security Adviser Anthony Lake and Defense Undersecretary Walter Slocombe were to meet with Canadian officials and other potential participants Thursday at the United Nations to flesh out the plan.
The United States wants assurances that troops from other participating nations will be properly trained and equipped. Washington also seeks participation by African nations in the multinational force.
Truce folds?
In Goma, the hub of the eastern Zairian refugee relief effort, the situation appeared to be deteriorating.
Zairian rebels -- mostly Tutsis -- who seized Goma from government troops earlier this month opened up with rocket, anti-aircraft and machine-gun fire from a hill overlooking the city.
The target, west of Goma, was the base of Zairian government and Rwandan Hutu militia fighters who were seeking shelter behind hundreds of thousands of refugees.
The rebels, who had been observing a self-imposed cease-fire, said they were responding to mortars lobbed into Goma the past few days by Zairian army forces and Rwandan Hutu militias.
What U.S. would do
Some 1,000 U.S. ground troops are to be deployed to Zaire and several thousand others are to be sent to the region to supply support activities, White House press secretary Mike McCurry said Wednesday.
But McCurry said President Clinton has several conditions he wants met before committing troops to the central African nation. "In principle, (Clinton) agrees U.S. participation is vital," McCurry said.
U.S. Defense Secretary William Perry said the U.S. is "anticipating about 1,000 troops in the Goma area, and the Goma airfield area". It also appears that a total of as many as 4,000 more U.S. troops will be moved to "neighboring countries" in support roles, according to spokesmen.
U.S. Air Force planes would funnel supplies and troops from other countries to the region, while other American forces would manage the airfield or work on cargo and logistics at other bases in nearby countries.
The American troops also would provide security along a three-mile corridor from Goma to the Rwandan border.
McCurry said the goal of the multinational task force is two- fold: to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid by civilian relief organizations and repatriation of refugees by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.
American soldiers are to be under U.S. command, although the operation will be run by Canada, McCurry said.
Lake met with a high-ranking Canadian delegation Tuesday. McCurry said the parties agreed on a series of conditions for U.S. support, including:
- The mission would last about four months. At that time, the U.S. would examine whether more time or troops were needed to keep the situation from worsening again.
- The international force will have "very robust rules of engagement."
- The U.S. mission will not include disarming militants or forcing entry in Zaire.
- The cost of the mission would be borne by participating states.
Zaire blasts world 'indifference'
In statements that could complicate the multinational relief effort, Zairian officials said Thursday that all aid for starving refugees in the east of the country should be sent to Rwanda and Burundi to encourage the refugees to return home.
Deputy prime minister Mutombo Bakafwa Nsenda accused the world of "total indifference" to their fate.
Instead of international understanding and recognition, Zaire had received "only indifference, ingratitude, even scorn" from Rwanda and Burundi, the United Nations and the international community, Mutombo said, addressing the U.N.- sponsored World Food Summit in Rome.
CNN Senior International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- U.S. troops to assist with African relief force - November 13, 1996
- World Food Summit opens with plea for Zaire refugees - November 13, 1996
- U.S. assessment team going to Central Africa - November 12, 1996
- Canada offers to lead mission into Zaire - November 12, 1996
- Initial aid teams reach towns in eastern Zaire - November 11, 1996
- Zairian Tutsi rebels permit humanitarian aid corridor - November 10, 1996
- Refugees begin trickling home from Zaire - November 9, 1996
Related sites:
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- American Red Cross: Crisis in Eastern Zaire
- Zaire Watch
- U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees
- Rwanda Page
- City.Net:Zaire
- Save The Children
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
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