Spring rejects call for troops in Zaire

THE Tanaiste said it was unlikely that the United Nations or the EU would send troops to eastern Zaire.

"The strong view is that we require an all African force, which would be funded by the EU, UN and by the US in particular," Mr Spring said.

There was no doubt that the potential for a human catastrophe existed in the region, with the danger of an escalation of an all out war between Zaire and Rwanda.

The Tanaiste was replying to Mr Des O'Malley (PD, Limerick East) who said that within the previous 48 hours the conflict had become internationalised, in the sense that the Rwandan army had invaded Zaire.

In view of that, the reluctance of the United Nations to become involved militarily, on the grounds that it was a civil war, was no longer valid.

He asked if the EU would provide peacekeeping troops, adding: "In failing to stop the war, we are looking at the possibility of another million people dying, as a million died in Rwanda in 1994."

Mr Spring said it was hoped to have a meeting next Tuesday of all the heads of state of the region, and that the special envoy from the EU and the special representative of the Secretary General of the UN would attend.

"What we need to do is to put together an international response, and I think it behoves all of us to do everything that is necessary. As I have said, as in most of these situations, the EU will undoubtedly be the major donor."

Mr O'Malley said the Belgian and French governments had done extremely well out of the region in the past and they now had certain responsibilities.

"It is not enough to say we will provide money, if we are not prepared to provide troops to stop what is happening and what is undoubtedly going to get very much worse.

He asked why the UN was prepared to provide troops elsewhere in the world, in situations which were not comparable in seriousness. Calling meetings and expressing concern was of no value in this situation.

Disagreeing with Mr O'Malley the Tanaiste said what was most important was the preparation of an international response.

That could only be done through summoning those involved and establishing, in the first instance, if they could get access for humanitarian aid. Before sending in people, their safety would have to be guaranteed.

He said that Mr O'Malley, who was in the House for many years, might well understand that the idea of sending in Belgian and French troops might not be totally accepted by the region for many historical reasons.

Earlier, Mr Spring said there was a pressing need to deal effectively with the problems of one million refugees and displaced persons in the Great Lakes Region following the conflict in Rwanda in 1994.

This unresolved issue, which affected the entire region, had resulted in initially localised conflict having far reaching humanitarian and political repercussions.

The EU was, therefore, prepared to work closely with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the governments in question and international donors to bring about an agreed and effective strategy to deal with that pervasive issue.