Sir, - Martin Lacey (letter, November 11th) is incorrect in his understanding of Cairde Rwanda's views on the problems in Central Africa. While we do believe that an immediate humanitarian response is needed to avert a disaster that may exceed that of 1994, experience should tell us that humanitarian aid alone will not alleviate the suffering of millions and provide a lasting solution.
The major destabilising influence in the eastern Zaire region is the presence of over one million Hutu refugees. By its inaction in tackling the refugee problem since 1994, the international community has allowed a genocidal government and army in exile to maintain its power base, to hold the refugees as virtual hostages, to rearm and reorganise and to launch militia attacks on Rwanda.
It is essential that the organisation of African Unity should broker peace talks involving all parties to the conflict and regional governments. Regional initiatives such as the Arusha Accord of 1993 have demonstrated the willingness of governments to search for a lasting peace in the region.
Any international military intervention must be seen as "neutral" by all sides in the conflict, have a clear mandate for peacemaking and an effective policy for the provision of aid and refugee repatriation corridors. The Government of Rwanda must guarantee the safe resettlement of innocent refugees and, now that it has in place the requisite legal framework, proceed expediently with trials of those accused of crimes against humanity, in order to demonstrate its commitment to the judicial system.
There can be no lasting peace in Rwanda without justice. The International Tribunal must be adequately supported to deny impunity to those guilty of genocide or other crimes against humanity, and to remove their influence over the refugee population.
The United Nations and European Union must show themselves willing to support and resource these initiatives. Piecemeal humanitarian aid has in the past served only to prolong the problem and postpone the solution. There is at present the real danger that the international response to this latest crisis will replicate the mistakes made in 1994, unless humanitarian aid is supported by vigorous political action. - Yours, etc.,
(Cairde Rwanda),
Dundalk,
Co Louth.