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U.N. Security Council approves relief troops for Zaire
November 15, 1996
Web posted at: 10:00 p.m. EST (0300 GMT)UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The United Nations Security Council on Friday unanimously approved sending an international force to Central Africa, where hundreds of thousands of refugees are returning home from Zaire to Rwanda.
In a resolution, the 15-member body gave its blessing to the Canadian-led mission planned to last through March, despite Rwanda's suggestion that humanitarian aid is now needed more than humanitarian intervention.
"We are grateful for the intention of the international community, but I think this is no longer necessary," Rwandan President Pasteur Bizumungu said in an interview with CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour.
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But chief U.N. spokeswoman Sylvana Foa said most of the remaining refugees still lacked basic necessities, and a force was still required.
Canadian Ambassador Robert Fowler told the 15-member council that the new exodus of Hutu refugees from camps in eastern Zaire did not lessen the urgent need for a rescue mission.
"Despite the heartening news that up to a third of the Rwandan refugees in Zaire may finally be going home, people will continue to die in eastern Zaire in appalling numbers and their presence there will continue to destabilize the region," Fowler said.
"Close to a million refugees will remain at risk in Zaire, even if the reports of the current refugee flows into (Rwanda) are fully accurate."
The force will not be under U.N. command, but the countries pressing for intervention wanted international approval for their action.
The force may have more than 10,000 troops, the first of which could be on the ground in Zaire by Sunday. The United States said this week it was prepared to join the operation with 1,000 troops in Zaire and up to 4,000 additional soldiers as backup in neighboring countries.
The troops are meant to ensure humanitarian aid reaches more than a million refugees in eastern Zaire as hundreds of thousands of them began trekking home to Rwanda. Many of the refugees, in addition to returning to Rwanda, have also fled west into the Zairean hinterlands.
The resolution, sponsored by 30 countries, gives the troops "all necessary means" to defend themselves. Canadian Lt. Gen. Maurice Baril, the commander of the force, said the troops would not attempt to disarm Hutu militia among the refugees.
The first countries expected to send troops are Canada, the United States, Britain, France, Senegal, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. In addition, Finland, Norway, Germany and Israel are expected to help with humanitarian aid.
The U.N. resolution called for a "follow-on" operation, either military or civilian organized by the United Nations, which is to submit recommendations by January 1.
The resolution also said that costs for the new multinational force would be borne by participating nations, but asked U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali to set up a fund for African states to help pay for their troops.
Correspondent Brian Jenkins and Reuters contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- Rwandan refugees streaming back to their homeland - November 15, 1996
- U.S. begins troop movements toward Zaire - November 14, 1996
- New Zaire fighting erupts as aid force takes shape - November 14, 1996
- 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
Related sites:
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- The Care Organization
- 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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