The UN Security Council debates the request by Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali that a UNAMIR force of 5,500 be sent to stop the massacres that are going on in Rwanda. The Secretary-General’s request is widely seen as controversial because of concerns that the force may assume an interventionist role in the war between the RPF and the Rwandan army. This would mirror the recent disastrous experience of the UN forces in Somalia. US President Bill Clinton says that the US is not willing to contribute personnel to an expanded UNAMIR force, but would contribute financial and logistical support to the force to be sent to Rwanda. Clinton then suggests that an African force would be most appropriate for the proposed mission, but the mandate should be limited to the protection of certain safe corridors and the safe movement and distribution of relief aid. The Chairman of the RPA Military High Command, Major General Paul Kagame, says that an expanded UNAMIR force should not exceed the 2,500 strength of its former size and that the role of the force should be purely for humanitarian assistance.
