Sir, - I refer to the Rwandan Ambassador's letter (April 30th) which accused me of making allegations that are baseless and unverifiable. I have spent the last 20 years in the aid business and never before have I been accused of "no humanitarianism" in my approach. GOAL volunteers worked for over two years with the Rwandan refugees some of whom may well be those still trapped in Eastern Zaire - a cause of great concern to me. I feel it is my duty to speak out.
I do not have to defend my past record or respond to such allegations, but I have in my possession a confidential report from a leading international nongovernmental organisation which recently carried out an assessment in Eastern Zaire, territory held by Laurent Kabila's rebel forces. The report is based on frightening facts and gives accounts of precise human rights violations, specifying dates, places and numbers of victims. Local population as well as expatriates working in the area unanimously report that the rebels are killing Rwandan refugees. The report states that the rebel military formations are commanded by Rwandan army officers who "are sent there (Eastern Zaire) to eliminate all refugees." Local population and expatriates alike are used "as bait" to attract the refugees out of the dense forest and "once on the road, however, they are killed"; "these killings do not take place in the context of combat"; "all refugees are considered to be enemies and therefore targeted, including women and children"; "many sources indicate the orders to eliminate refugees emanate from Rwanda".
These are the facts and is why I have pleaded with the Irish Government to suspend direct aid to the Rwandan administration. - Yours, etc.,
Director,
GOAL,
PO Box 19,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.