Moderadores: Lepanto, poliorcetes, Edu, Orel
press conference by top United Nations peacekeeping officers
in Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan
The misbehaviour of just one peacekeeper could tarnish the image of all 17,000 troops deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo under very difficult conditions, Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye, Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Mission, said at a Headquarters press conference today.
Accompanied by Brigadier General Mark Skidmore, Senior Military Adviser of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Lieutenant General Gaye immediately took several questions about the allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse that had plagued the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), one of the largest in the world.
Asked his reaction to the recent outcome of an investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), which had revealed “prima facie”evidence that members of an Indian contingent previously assigned to MONUC might have engaged in sexual exploitation and abuse, the Force Commander said there had certainly been a reaction, not only at the Mission level, but from the Secretary-General himself, who had released a statement yesterday on that issue.
He went on to say that the investigation tarnished the image of the United Nations, that of the force image and that of MONUC. “We are doing our very best to implement the zero tolerance policy.” But while it was now very clear to all peacekeepers that sexual exploitation and abuse were forbidden by the Organization, it was unfortunate that some were still misbehaving. However, measures to curb misbehaviour included curfews and prohibitions against leaving the barracks after 6 p.m., or having any form of entertainment outside the barracks.
Asked whether countries whose peacekeepers repeatedly tarnished the Organization's image should be banned from United Nations peacekeeping operations, he said it would be unfair to ban some countries because of one or two cases. The difference between the MONUC situation and that of troops deployed by their own countries was that the actions of the latter were balanced by their achievements in the field. People were less tough on soldiers when they were dying for their countries. Most such cases were based on allegations that made newspaper front pages, but three months later, after investigations revealed that the allegations were false, the story was buried on the fourth page.
Lieutenant General Gaye and Brigadier General Skidmore, as well as a number of other United Nations Force Commanders and senior officers were in New York for talks at Headquarters, and several of them were expected to hold press conferences throughout the week.
Brigadier General Skidmore said in brief opening remarks that correspondents were seeing two different ends of the peacekeeping spectrum. Lieutenant General Gaye had a large mission and tremendous responsibilities, while UNAMA was at the other end of the spectrum, presently number 15 and serving as military advisers to the United Nations in Afghanistan. The Mission's security component was handled by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-International Security Assistance Force.
He said UNAMA was political in nature so the advisers were facilitators in communicating governance and development objectives to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and ISAF's security aims to UNAMA. The Mission headquarters comprised 3 people, and another 11 or 12 were in the provinces, working with the heads of various offices to create integrated teams to help deliver humanitarian relief and good governance.
Pressed about his repeated use of the word “misbehaviourâ€, and asked whether the word “crime”was not more appropriate, Lieutenant General Gaye said he did not think so, but stressed, however, that sexual abuse and exploitation “is unacceptableâ€. The situation was certainly different when it involved young children.
Asked about a report last month concerning alleged misconduct and disloyalty by an Indian colonel, he said the issue was under investigation by OIOS, but he could confirm that there was a tape recording of which he had a transcript. A letter had been sent to alert the Government of India to the incident, which was not in line with the Security Council resolution to which MONUC must adhere. The peacekeeper had made a statement that was “not the line”of his contingent, the force or the Mission, and the Indian Government was expected to take appropriate action following the investigation.
Concerning border relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Brigadier General Skidmore said something would have to be done to normalize relations between the two countries, but that would be “a long roadâ€. The security situation in any theatre of operations was an ebb and flow, and right now there was a resurgence of anti-Government activity. How it unfolded throughout the rest of the year remained to be seen.
Asked about rules of engagement, Lieutenant General Gaye defined the different circumstances under which “hot pursuit”and gunships might be employed, pointing out that MONUC's rules of engagement had been reinforced in 2006 and were broad enough for the Force Commander to decide upon the use of force.
As for dissemination of the Secretary-General's Code of Conduct, he said it had been incorporated into a monthly directive signed by the Force Commander. Every contingent had a “sexual exploitation and abuse”focal point, who underwent training every six months owing to troop rotation. Moreover, all contingents received pre-deployment training on the Code of Conduct before their induction into MONUC. Any MONUC soldier asked about the rules regarding sexual exploitation and abuse would be able to recite them clearly.
In response to a separate question, Brigadier General Skidmore said he was not aware of any discussion concerning a withdrawal plan for Afghanistan. ISAF and UNAMA were there under a United Nations mandate, fulfilling a mission to support the democratically elected Government of Afghanistan. The Special Representative's focus was to complete voter registration, leading to presidential elections next year. There were challenges in doing that, given the difficult security situation, but all partners were working towards that goal.
He said in reply to another question that the killing of civilians was a matter of tremendous concern to ISAF and UNAMA, adding that ISAF was now working very closely with the Mission's human rights staff to investigate civilian deaths.
Lieutenant General Gaye said in response to a further question that, according to sources, between 6,000 and 8,000 armed combatants remained in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There would be no peaceful solution without military pressure, which required an important build-up from the Congolese side, which was still operating on a cash basis. It would take time to build an efficient army, but that was the only way to convince the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR) that it was time they returned home.
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BRIGADIER GENERAL ISHMEEL BEN QUARTEY OF GHANA TO SERVE AS ACTING FORCE COMMANDER
IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO PENDING APPOINTMENT OF NEW COMMANDER
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
Lieutenant General Vicente Diaz de Villegas y Herrería of Spain, who was recently appointed as Force Commander for the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), has indicated that for personal reasons he will not be able to continue with his assignment as planned. The Department of Peacekeeping Operations is pursuing arrangements to ensure continuity of command and to replace General Diaz as quickly as possible. In the interim, Brigadier General Ishmeel Ben Quartey of Ghana will serve as Acting Force Commander pending the appointment of General Diaz's successor.
SECRETARY-GENERAL EXTREMELY CONCERNED BY FURTHER SECURITY DETERIORATION
IN EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
The Secretary-General is extremely concerned by the further deterioration in the security situation in North Kivu, and in particular developments in Rumangabo and in Goma and its impact on civilians. He condemns the deliberate attacks on peacekeepers of United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) by forces of the Congrí¨s National pour la Défense du Peuple (CNDP). He denounces the continued hostilities between CNDP forces and those of the defence forces of the Democratic Republic, in violation of the ceasefire.
The Secretary-General urges the Government and provincial authorities to make every effort to restore calm among the affected populations and to work in close cooperation with MONUC. He reaffirms that MONUC will take all necessary measures within its mandate to protect civilians and United Nations personnel and property.
Recent developments demonstrate without doubt the need for all parties to implement the Actes d'engagement and to disengage. The Secretary-General calls on all parties to immediately cease hostilities and pursue in good faith in efforts to resolve peacefully the issues that have thus far hindered progress in the Nairobi and Goma processes.
Situation sécuritaire du 27 octobre 2008
MONUC
27 oct. 08 - 19h58
Kinshasa ''27 octobre 2008 ''
La Mission des Nations unies au Congo (MONUC) condamne avec la plus grande fermeté l'attaque par des éléments du Congrí¨s national pour la défense du peuple (CNDP) d'un convoi des forces des Nations Unies qui assuraient la sécurité des civils sur l'axe Goma-Rutshuru. Les casques bleus de la MONUC ont essuyé cinq tirs de roquettes sur deux des blindés aux environs de Kalengera. Les Nations Unies sont engagées dans la paix au Nord Kivu et ne toléreront aucune attaque rebelle sur leurs forces.
Par ailleurs, plusieurs déplacés sont arrivés Á Goma en provenance des régions avoisinantes ou sont rapportées des combats. A cet effet, les hélicoptí¨res de la MONUC, en appui aux opérations de l'armée nationale FARDC, ont tiré sur les positions du CNDP dans les environs de Kibumba, Á une vingtaine kilomí¨tres au nord de Goma. La MONUC réití¨re qu'en vertu de son mandat elle continuera d'intervenir avec l'ensemble de ses moyens pour assurer la protection des civils et pour protéger les centres urbains du Nord Kivu.
Aujourd'hui Á Goma, plusieurs centaines de manifestants ont lancé des projectiles contre les installations et les véhicules de la MONUC, détruisant ainsi le matériel des Nations unies. Des éléments de la Police Nationale Congolaise et des Casques bleus ont dí» empíªcher des manifestants d'entrer dans les installations de la MONUC. Au cours de ces violentes manifestations un civil a été tué.
La Mission des Nations unies rappelle qu'elle est en RDC pour le rétablissement de la paix et demande Á la population de ne pas s'en prendre Á ses installations et Á son personnel. De míªme, la MONUC demande aux parties impliquées dans les combats, de respecter les civils tel que leur impose le droit international humanitaire.
Dimite el general español jefe de la misión de la ONU en el Congo en medio del conflicto
Portavoces de la misión revelan que cientos de personas atacaron con piedras y palos la base en Goma las fuerzas internacionales, a las que acusan de no defenderles de la violencia.
EFE 28-10-2008
El general de división español Vicente Díaz de Villegas, dimitió hoy como jefe militar de la misión de Naciones Unidas en la República Democrática del Congo (MONUC), mientras los rebeldes avanzan sobre Goma, capital de la provincia oriental de Kivu Norte, confirmó un portavoz de la ONU.
Guerrilleros del Congreso Nacional para la Defensa del Pueblo (CNDP), que encabeza Laurent Nkunda, están en Kibumba, 30 kilómetros al norte de Goma, hacia donde huyen miles de desplazados de la zona de Rumangabo y Virunga, junto a unidades miliares de la RDC, que también se han retirado hacia el sur, dijo la fuente de la MONUC.
La misma fuente señaló que la dimisión de Díaz de Villegas, que fue designado responsable de MONUC por el secretario general de la ONU, Ban Ki-moon, el pasado 28 de agosto, se debe a "razones personales".
Falta de medios
Una fuente diplomática en Kinshasa, que pidió que no se revelara su identidad, dijo que el general Díaz de Villegas considera que la ONU "no tiene los medios para realizar la tarea de enfrentarse a un claro deterioro de la situación en el este de la RDC".
El pasado 3 de octubre, el representante especial de la ONU para la RDC, Alan Doss, expresó la misma opinión y pidió más medios y tropas para la MONUC en un informe ante el Consejo de Seguridad de Naciones Unidas.
Mientras es designado el sucesor de Díaz de Villegas, se hará cargo de la MONUC el general ghanés Ishmeel Ben Quartey, que mandará a los 17.000 "cascos azules" destacados por Naciones Unidas en este país africano, la mayor fuerza que mantiene la organización internacional.
La dimisión de Díaz de Villegas se produce al tiempo que se deteriora la situación en la RDC, donde los combatientes del CNDP tomaron el pasado fin de semana el campamento militar de Rumangabo y el cuartel general de los guardas de la reserva nacional de Virunga, en Kivu Norte.
Desde allí los rebeldes han avanzado hacia el sur y ocupado las localidades de Kalengera y Kibumba.
Portavoces de la MONUC han acusado a los rebeldes del CNDP de haber disparado cohetes contra dos vehículos de la fuerza de la ONU y también han señalado que cientos de personas atacaron con piedras y palos la base en Goma de la Misión, a la que acusan de no defenderles de la violencia.
La portavoz de la ONU, Michele Montás, quien comunicó este lunes la dimisión del responsable militar español, señaló también que Ban está seriamente preocupado por el deterioro de la situación en Kivu Norte y condenó "los ataques deliberados de las fuerzas del CNDP contra los integrantes de la MONUC".
La ONU considera los actuales combates como una violación del acuerdo de alto el fuego e insta a las autoridades regionales a hacer el máximo esfuerzo para restaurar la calma entre la población civil.
Emisoras locales han asegurado que los campos de desplazados internos situados cerca de Rumangambo han quedado vacíos tras conocerse la ofensiva de los combatientes del CNDP.
Por su parte, el presidente de la RDC, Joseph Kabila, designó hoy un nuevo Gobierno para conseguir la "seguridad" del país, en medio de la ofensiva rebelde.
El nuevo Gobierno de Kabila, encabezado por el primer ministro, Adolphe Muzito, está formado por 33 ministros y 14 viceministros, según un comunicado de la Presidencia difundido en Kinshasa, y sustituye al del anterior primer ministro, el octogenario Antoine Gizenda, que dimitió hace dos meses por motivos de salud.
Entre los ministros sustituidos están los de Defensa e Interior, responsables de la seguridad del país, amenazada por los grupos armados, entre ellos el CNDP de Nkunda.
"Sorpresa y decepción" en la ONU
La decisión del general de División español Vicente Díaz de Villegas de renunciar al cargo de jefe militar de la misión de la ONU en la República Democrática del Congo (MONUC) causó "sorpresa y decepción" en el seno de la organización, según fuentes de Naciones Unidas.
"Estamos sorprendidos y decepcionados. No se produce en un buen momento", indicó un alto responsable de Naciones Unidas.
La fuente señaló que desconoce si detrás de la renuncia del militar español, siete semanas después de que asumiera el cargo, hay alguna motivación más que las "razones personales" alegadas por el general.
Aseguraron que en la sede del departamento de Operaciones de Paz de Naciones Unidas (DPKO) en Nueva York no se tiene constancia de que el general Díaz de Villegas hubiera expresado alguna dificultad con el desempeño de la misión o en sus relaciones con el enviado especial de la ONU en la República Democrática del Congo (RDC), Alan Doss.
"Francamente, tampoco a estas alturas nos importa mucho porque estamos concentrados en responder a la gravedad de la situación en el Congo, que es una misión muy difícil", apuntaron las fuentes.
La situación en las regiones orientales de la República Democrática del Congo se ha deteriorado y en esos territorios el Ejército mantiene un duro enfrentamiento con los rebeldes del Congreso Nacional para la Defensa del Pueblo (CNDP).
La misión de la ONU en Congo fue creada al amparo de la Resolución 1.279 (1999) del Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU, con la finalidad de facilitar la aplicación y puesta en práctica del Acuerdo de Lusaka, que ponía fin a las hostilidades entre todas las fuerzas combatientes.
Actualmente es la misión de mayores dimensiones, con unos 18.500 militares desplegados: 16.669 soldados, 714 observadores militares y 1.063 policías de 57 países.
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