THE FATE of the international military mission to the refugees in the Great Lakes area of central Africa was uncertain yesterday as Britain and the US voiced doubts, and aid agencies agreed the situation had changed.
The US Defence Secretary, Mr William Perry, told NBC television yesterday the US had "not made a decision" on sending troops to the region.
"The need for humanitarian relief... has not gone away," Mr Perry said, but "the nature of the need is changing dramatically." At one point he commented: "We are not the Salvation Army."
The British Defence Ministry echoed Washington's line.
"If there is still a humanitarian job to do we'll go. If there is not we're not going to knowingly send them off on a wild goose chase," the Armed Forces Minister, Mr Nicholas Soames, said.
The Rwandan President, Mr Pasteur Bizimungu, has already said he no longer believes an international military force is needed to assist in the refugee problem in his country.
International aid agency staff also said that as the bulk of the refugees appeared to be coming home, the UN force was no longer relevant.
According to Ms Mary Sweeney of Trocaire: "It's over. The refugees have come home. The hard work now will be helping the refugees rebuild their lives."
South Africa's Deputy President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, who arrived in Dublin last night, said the dozen or so countries which had agreed to send troops to Zaire to bring aid to the 1.2 million Rwandan refugees in Zaire would meet bin the German city of Stuttgart on Wednesday to discuss the mission.
But Canadian forces have already arrived in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, and were last night preparing to start assessment of the job ahead.
Maj Rod Babuik, head of the Canadian advance contingent of 34, said yesterday between 500-700 personnel would be based in Kigali as part of the Canadian led multinational intervention force.
"The situation is very fluid, and, the movement of the refugees has had a big impact on what is happening, but we have just to carry on with our plan," he said.
The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously approved the deployment of the force until March 31st to ensure food and medicine reaches refugees flooding back to Rwanda from Zaire after two years of exile.
As the international community began to reassess the proposed size and role of the force, Mr Bizimungu said the money earmarked for the military intervention should instead be spent on long term development aid for the country.
The UNHCR last night estimated that at least 400,000 refugees had already returned to Rwanda and a further 100,000 are waiting to cross today. An unknown number is moving towards the border crossing at Gisenyi from other areas.
By yesterday evening some refugees had walked 60 km uphill to the town of Ruhengere. Many have already reached their former homes.
A small number were detained by Rwandan police, having been found carrying grenades.
A considerable amount of military documentation was thrown away on the road through Zaire toe the border.
Many refugees also discarded their identity cards before crossing, prompting speculation that Interahamwe (Hutu militia) members who had participated in the genocide were coming home among them.
There is great uncertainty over the effect the return will have. With some Interahamwe coming into Rwanda, there are reports that documents found on the road indicate they may be planning to regroup within the country and attempt to destabilise the state.
Goma Hospital admitted 77 refugees and 11 Zaireans believed to be suffering from cholera over the weekend.
They are receiving treatment, and fears of an epidemic appear to have been averted. Hundreds were treated for dehydration and other illnesses, but most refugees appear to be returning home in a healthy condition.
Disorganised attempts to distribute food were abandoned as there were near riots for the little food available.