Australian Government to Consider Joint Submission on Rwanda Peacekeeping Mission

Strategic Insights -

The Australian government is set to deliberate on a joint submission from the foreign affairs and defense departments regarding the deployment of troops to Rwanda as part of a United Nations humanitarian peacekeeping force. The submission, drawn up by Foreign Minister Gareth Evans and Defense Minister Robert Ray, will be presented to the cabinet for consideration. This decision comes in the wake of a French proposal to intervene militarily to stop the tribal killing in Rwanda, which has claimed an estimated 300,000 lives.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Australian government will consider a joint submission from the foreign affairs and defense departments on deploying troops to Rwanda as part of a UN peacekeeping mission.
  • Foreign Minister Gareth Evans and Defense Minister Robert Ray have drawn up the joint submission to be presented to the cabinet.
  • The French proposal to intervene militarily is seen as a complicating factor, requiring thousands of troops to enforce peace between warring factions.
  • Australia has been hesitant to commit troops to a peacekeeping mission in Rwanda due to the UN's inability to broker a peace agreement or define humanitarian objectives.
  • Defense sources speculate that Australia's contribution could include medical staff, engineers, and soldiers to guard them.
  • The joint submission will be considered by the Australian government in Canberra and a decision made by Monday.

Statistics:

  • Estimated 300,000 lives lost in the tribal killing in Rwanda.
  • Thousands of troops required to enforce peace between warring factions (according to the French proposal).
  • Unknown number of medical staff, engineers, and soldiers that Australia may contribute to the peacekeeping mission (speculated by defense sources).

Sources:

  • United Press International
  • Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (no specific source cited, implied from context)