Refugee flows, border tension spark early UNAMIR deployment.

Citing new tensions on Rwanda's borders, the Security Council on 6 January approved early deployment of a second battalion to the UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR).

An unexpected, massive flow of Burundese refugees - up to 375,000 - into Rwanda, as well as allegations of cross-border military movement, had "taxed" UNAMIR operations, the Secretary-General reported.

In unanimously adopting resolution 893 (1994), the Council strongly urged the two parties to cooperate fully in furthering the peace process, to comply fully with the 4 August 1993 Arusha Peace Agreement, and to establish a broad-based transitional government at the earliest opportunity. Continued support for UNAMIR would depend upon the full implementation of the Arusha Agreement, it was stressed.

UNAMIR's aim is to help implement the Arusha Agreement between the Government of Rwanda and the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF).

That Agreement was to end the three-year conflict between the two parties and serve as a blueprint for a transitional period leading up to elections, probably in 1995.

In resolution 893, the Council also expressed concern over violence in Rwanda and the consequences for that country of the 21 October coup in Burundi.

UNAMIR Force Commander Brigadier-General Romeo A. Dallaire of Canada arrived in Kigali, Rwanda's capital, on 22 October, followed a few days later by an advance party of 21 military personnel.

As of 27 December, UNAMIR consisted of 1,260 military personnel from 19 countries. its peak strength was forecast as 2,548.

On 12 November, Jacques-Roger Booh-booh, former Foreign Minister of Cameroon, was named the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Rwanda.

On 12 November, the Neutral Military Observer Group (NMOG II) - deployed by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) - which had been monitoring the cease-fire in the demilitarized zone on Uganda's northern border, was integrated into UNAMIR.

Border mission extended

On 20 December, the mandate of the 81-member UN Observer Mission Uganda-Rwanda (UNOMUR) was extended for six months by Security Council resolution 891 (1993).

The Secretary-General reported that UNOMUR was a "factor of stability" in the area, and a useful confidence building mechanism. Established on 22 June 1993, UNOMUR was to monitor the Ugandan side of the border, ensuring that no military assistance reached Rwanda. The Council initially intended to integrate UNOMUR into the new, wider UNAMIR operation. But on 20 December, it declared that such integration was "purely administrative in nature" and would not affect UNOMUR's mandate.

The Assembly on 21 December, adopting resolution 48/211, urged economic, financial, material and technical aid to encourage rehabilitation and sustained development in Rwanda, especially for infrastructures destroyed by war. It also invited aid for refugees, reintegrating soldiers into civil life, mine clearance, and completing the democratic process.

Surveillance activities

On 15 December, the Secretary-General reported (S/26878) that UNOMUR's surveillance activities and investigations had been effective "both as a deterrent and as interdiction". Clandestine cross-border traffic had decreased appreciably. Allegations that the RPF was gathering troops on the Ugandan side of the border had not been substantiated, but UNOMUR investigations had helped to defuse border area tensions.