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1994-04-22ReutersOAUaccusesAbandoningRwanda.pdf

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1994-04-22ReutersOAUaccusesUnitedNationsofabandoningRwanda..html

OAU accuses United Nations of abandoning Rwanda

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Reuters

Boudiguet

Dépêche d'agence

EN

ADDIS ABABA, April 22 (Reuter) - The Organisation of African Unity
accused the United Nations on Friday of abandoning the people of Rwanda
by slashing the number of peacekeepers in their tormented country.

In a statement, OAU Secretary-General Salim Ahmed Salim said the
decision to cut U.N. forces revealed a lack of concern for Africa when
the world body was increasingly involved elsewhere.

The U.N. decision to pull out troops from Rwanda is a sign of a lack
of sufficient concern for an African tragic situation.

This is particularly so when account is taken of the fact that the
United Nations is increasingly involved in situations affecting peace
and security in other regions, Salim added.

Salim's statement added to criticism from African diplomats at what
they see as a double standard in reducing U.N. forces in Rwanda and
bolstering U.N. involvement in the former Yugoslavia.

The Security Council voted unanimously on Thursday to cut its
peacekeeping force in Rwanda to a bare minimum of 270. The U.N.
Assistance Mission in Rwanda strength was 2,500 before fighting erupted
on April 6.

The council pledged to consider promptly any recommendations to
increase the force and mandate, depending on developments.

Salim said the U.N. decision was particularly disheartening as it was
made when the OAU and African states were pushing to halt massacres and
secure a ceasefire in Rwanda to end the crisis which was triggered by
the killing of the Rwandan president.

I am also disheartened by the U.N. decision to abandon the people of
Rwanda...taken in spite of the appeal from Africa to the Security
Council to maintain an effective U.N. presence in the country, he
said.

He said the U.N. troop cut disregarded persistent appeals by relief and
humanitarian agencies for increased U.N. involvement to ensure the
continued delivery of humanitarian assistance to Rwandans.

(c) Reuters Limited 1994