Indict Rwandan general, says US
25/07/2008 07:32  - (SA)  

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Washington - The United States wants a Rwandan general indicted for war crimes by a judge in Spain to continue as second in command of a joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force, the State Department said on Thursday.

State Department spokesperson Gonzalo Gallegos said the US previously examined allegations against General Karenzi Karake and found no reason to oppose the renewal of his contract.

"Bringing peace to Darfur is the priority for the international community and the UN and we're deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Darfur," Gallegos said.

"It's in the interest of a strong (UN-AU mission) that this general continue as deputy force commander, given his strong record of performance over the last year," he said.

The UN had delayed reissuing Karake's contract, which lapsed last year, after calls by Rwandan opposition groups and some Western human rights groups for it not to be renewed.

In February, a judge in Spain accused 40 Rwandan military and political leaders, including Karake, of engaging in reprisal killings after the country's 1994 genocide.

Rwanda on Thursday said it could withdraw peacekeepers from Darfur if the UN did not renew Karake's contract. "Losing four Rwandan battalions would devastate the operation," Gallegos said.

- Reuters

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