Massacres, 'mindless violence and carnage' rage in Rwanda.

• Position: Includes related articles - 1

The Security Council continued to deal with what it called a situation of "mindless violence and carnage" in Rwanda, in the face of continued fighting, widespread massacres of civilians and a deteriorating humanitarian situation.

On 21 April, the Council adjusted the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) to act as an intermediary between the parties, assist in the resumption of humanitarian relief operations, and monitor and report on developments. It authorized a force level of approximately 270, down from the original 2,539.

On 17 May, the Council increased UNAMIR's strength to up to 5,500 troops, expanded its mandate to include responsibility for the security and protection of civilians and of humanitarian operations, and imposed an arms embargo on Rwanda. On 8 June, it extended UNAMIR's expanded mandate from 29 July until 9 December 1994.

Since securing and equipping the required troops would take some time, the Council on 22 June, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, authorized Member States to set up a temporary multinational operation to contribute to the security and protection of displaced persons, refugees and civilians at risk.

The Council took that action by adopting resolution 929 (1994) by a vote of 10 to none, with 5 abstentions (Brazil, China, New Zealand, Nigeria and Pakistan). Stressing the strictly humanitarian character of the operation, the Council decided that such a mission, as proposed and led by France, would be limited to two months, unless the Secretary-General determined earlier that the expanded UNAMIR was able to carry out its mandate. This led to the establishment of Operation Turquoise and the Humanitarian Protection Zone in the southeastern part of Rwanda.

The Council asked the Secretary-General to report no later than 9 August on progress made towards UNAMIR's deployment and the resumption of the peace process under the August 1993 Arusha Peace Agreement. The Council also requested Member States, cooperating with the Secretary-General, to coordinate closely with UNAMIR; it further requested the Secretary-General to set up appropriate mechanisms to that end.

Following the vote, France said that its initiative had a solely humanitarian goal. France would not interpose its forces between the warring parties, nor seek to influence the outcome of the conflict, and further, it was not its intention to replace UNAMIR.

In a 19 June letter to the Council (S/1994/728), the Secretary-General had stated that with the Member States' failure to promptly provide the expanded UNAMIR with the necessary resources, the Council might wish to consider France's offer to undertake a French-commanded multinational force, operating under Chapter VII. In a 20 June letter (S/1994/734), France stated that its Government and Senegal were prepared to send a force into Rwanda without delay, "so as to maintain a presence pending the arrival of the expanded UNAMIR". Other Member States that might join the operation were being contacted. The force objectives would be the same as those of UNAMIR, but "excludes any interference in the development of the balance of military forces between the parties involved in the conflict".

Multinational force has precedent

The Secretary-General, in his 19 June letter, stated that the multinational operation had a precedent in the United States-led Unified Task Force in Somalia (UNITAF), deployed in December 1992. If the Council decided to authorize such an operation, Governments should commit themselves to maintaining their troops in Rwanda until UNAMIR could take over from the multinational force, which must create conditions for UNAMIR to carry out its mandate.

The force commanders of the operation and of UNAMIR would closely coordinate their activities. UNAMIR would continue to fulfil its mandated responsibilities in and around the capital city of Kigali and the airport, and provide support for delivery of humanitarian aid. If the security of its personnel was jeopardized, the Secretary-General said, he would immediately reassess the situation and make appropriate recommendations to the Council.

Considering the difficulties faced in securing resources for UNAMIR, the Secretary-General believed it might take three months before the Mission could fully undertake its expanded mandate. As the killing of innocent civilians had continued and the overall situation had deteriorated, additional troops could only be deployed when they were properly equipped.

None of the Governments possessing the necessary capacity had offered to provide fully trained and equipped military units, he noted, and most offers had been conditional in some way. Optimally deployment of the first phase of UNAMIR could take place in the first week of July.

Resolution 912: UNAMIR mandate adjusted

In adopting resolution 912 (1994) on 21 April, the Council, while adjusting UNAMIR's mandate, also demanded an immediate cessation of...