Continued incursions by former government forces: UNAMIR gets a final extension and adjusted mandate.

• Position: UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda

Concerned about continuing reports of "military preparations and incursions into Rwanda by elements of the former regime", and stressing the importance of the voluntary, safe repatriation of refugees, the Security Council on 12 December decided to extend the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR), at a reduced force level of 1,200 troops, for a final period until 8 March 1996.

Under resolution 1029 (1995), adopted unanimously, UNAMIR's mandate was adjusted to allow it to exercise its good offices to promote genuine national reconciliation and help achieve the voluntary repatriation of refugees. This would be undertaken within the frame of reference of recommendations adopted at the February 1995 Bujumbura Regional Conference on Assistance to Refugees, Returnees and Displaced Persons and at the November 1995 Cairo Summit of Heads of State. The Council also authorized UNAMIR to assist the Rwandese Government in facilitating the refugees' safe return and to support efforts in promoting a "climate of confidence and trust" by performing monitoring tasks. Effective measures were needed, the Council said, to ensure that Rwandese nationals in neighbouring countries "do not undertake military activities aimed at destabilizing Rwanda".

States should cooperate fully with the International Commission of Inquiry and "support the early and effective functioning" of the International Tribunal for Rwanda and the rehabilitation of the country's justice system.

(Under Council resolution 1013 (1995) of 7 September, the Commission of Inquiry collects information and investigates reports about the supply of arms and related materiel in the Great Lakes region of Central Africa. It is empowered as well to look into allegations that former Rwandese Government Forces (RGF) were receiving military training to destabilize Rwanda.)

Under the adjusted mandate, UNAMIR was also authorized to assist the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international agencies in providing logistical support for the refugees' repatriation and contribute, with the agreement of the Government, to the protection of the International Tribunal, until alternative arrangements agreed with the Government can be put in place.

In addition to the force reduction, the number of military observers, headquarters and other military support staff would fall to 200, and the Civilian Police component would be withdrawn. The Secretary-General was asked to begin planning for UNAMIR's complete withdrawal within six weeks of the mandate's expiry, and to examine the feasibility of transferring "non-lethal" equipment for use in Rwanda.

This action followed a four-day extension on 8 December (resolution 1028 (1995)) of UNAMIR's mandate, to give the Council more time to consider the Mission's future. It was taken after Rwanda stated (S/1995/1018) it would not agree to extend the existing mandate, asserting that the peace-keeping mission "does not respond to our priority needs".

`Contradictions' seen by Rwanda

After voting for the three-month final extension, Rwanda--at the time a nonpermanent Council member--asserted that "contradictions", including a 21 April 1994 Council decision to reduce the Mission's force level even though widespread killings had begun, had marked UN policy towards the country. (By resolution 912 (1994), the Council had reduced UNAMIR's force level to 270, from over 2,500. Subsequently, under resolution 918 (1994) of 17 May 1994, it had expanded the mandate and authorized a force of 5,500.)

In addition, the safe humanitarian zone set up by "Operation Turquoise"--a French-led multinational force deployed from 22 June 1994 to the end of August 1994, with Council authorization--had instead "provided a safe haven for the perpetrators of genocide". The genocide, it maintained, had been stopped instead by the Rwandese Government's action. However, UNAMIR had played an important role in facilitating transportation and providing logistical support in areas of need; and given the "gap" that would open upon its departure, Rwanda requested the donation of some of the Mission's non-lethal equipment.

France, which had expressed the hope that UNAMIR would have been able to continue further, responded that "Operation Turquoise" had been a humanitarian operation "intended strictly to save human lives" at a time when the international community had been unable to mobilize. France had taken part in that force to prevent further human tragedy. Rwanda, while thanking the participants, said "Operation Turquoise" had come too late and "a million Rwandans had already been exterminated".

Several speakers expressed reservations at the wisdom of deciding on a final cut-off date for UNAMIR or retaining it at a reduced level. Botswana said UNAMIR had made "a tremendous...