THE Dublin summit has failed to produce any new proposals to deal with the crisis in Rwanda and eastern Zaire. Instead, the final declaration suggests that African states should play the leading role in resolving the problems of the region.
The declaration expresses the hope that the summit of heads of state in Africa, which begins in Nairobi today, can assist in the search for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The EU has also reaffirmed its support for the early convening of an international conference under the auspices of the UN and the Organisation of African Unity to address the causes of the crisis.
Speaking after the summit, the Tanaiste, conceded that conclusions contained "nothing new" on Rwanda. However, Mr Spring denied that the problems of the Great Lakes region of Africa had slipped off the agenda of the European heads of state.
"The most important thing we can do is to try to convene this regional conference to address not just the humanitarian problems but also the political instability in Rwanda, Zaire and Burundi."
He said he would be consulting the UN on the options for the proposed international force.
The summit declaration restates the Union's grave concern about the continuing violence in the region.
It welcomes the return of large numbers of refugees and underlines the need to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of the remaining refugees, but says nothing about the policy of forced repatriation undertaken in eastern Zaire and currently being proposed in Tanzania.
The declaration also reiterates EU support for the democratic process in Zaire; the multinational intervention force; and the European Commission's proposal for a strategic plan of action for EU assistance in the area.
