Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 11:14:42 -1000 From: Fred Riggs To: ETHNIC-L Alan Spector Subject: My paper and an UNHCR press release on Eastern Zaire (fwd) Colleagues: At the risk of being presumptuous, let me tell you that I have just finished the draft of a paper called, "The Para-Modern Context of Ethnic Nationalism." My argument is that the rise of ethnonational conflicts and related turmoil, such as we see in Rwanda today, is not a resurgence of past conflicts but a new form of growing menace for the world that has evolved out of the processes of modernity (industrialism, nationalism, and democracy). The first part of my paper seeks to demonstrate the validity of this proposition by discussing how each of these three processes has affected the dynamics of ethnic conflict. The second part of the paper takes up the different aspects of modern ethnic conflict, distinguishing between "diversity" as a condition relevant to the situation of most immigrants in any country who seek to become good citizens well integrated into its social system, and "cleavage" as a different condition generated by ethnic minorities who reject the status of citizens in the land where they are living and seek sovereignty or at least a fundamental change in their roles and relationships. I also touch on a third kind of modern situation caused by "imperial migrations" -- i.e. the movement of workers and traders responding to the needs of imperial/industrial projects (plantations, mines, factories, markets) generated by the emergent pressures of industrialization and imperialism. Furnival called the results a "plural society," but since "pluralism" has been coopted as a synonym for "diversity," I use "plurality" to refer to the special conditions generated by imperial rule. One of the most perplexing and tragic contemporaory manifestations of "ethnic conflict" has arisen in Rwanda (and Burundi) where we see "ethnoclass" conflict, more than ethnic nationalism. The following current report from the UHCR shows how serious this problem is. I forward it for your information -- unfortunately, conflicts of this intensity are unlikely to fade away -- they will continue to escalate and challenge us to understand the long-term dynamics which drive them -- they are not just temporary difficulties of the "post-Cold War" period -- they have much deeper but not necessarily "primordialist" roots, I believe. If you want to see my paper, I'll send it to you -- or you may find it on my Web Page. I'd like to get your comments but please don't use ETHNIC-L for this purpose -- it's primary goal is to support the exchange of information about how to get information related to our research interests -- how I'm sending this to Race-Pol also, and you could send any comments on that list. Many thanks and all best wishes, Fred ************************************************************ ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 05:59:41 -1000 From: Susanne Schmeidl Subject: (Fwd) UNHCR press release on Eastern Zaire (fwd) Susanne Schmeidl, Ph.D. Coordinator Prevention/Early Warning Unit Centre for Refugee Studies York University York Lanes, 3rd Floor 4700 Keele Street North York, Ontario Canada M3J 1P3 416-736-5883 (phone) 416-736-5837 (fax) schmeidl@YorkU.CA ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 18:23:10 -0400 From: Len Wong Reply-To: No title defined Subject: (Fwd) UNHCR press release on Eastern Zaire (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 28 Jan 1997 10:55:06 +0100 From: Fabienne Philippe To: refuge@yorku.ca Subject: UNHCR press release on Eastern Zaire From: The UNHCR NGO Unit Subject: UNHCR Press Release on Eastern Zaire (24.1.97) UNHCR WORRIES OVER REFUGEES IN EASTERN ZAIRE The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees expressed grave concern today about the refugee situation in eastern Zaire. #The options are limited and stark, and things are getting worse not better, #said High Commissioner Sadako Ogata in a statement issued in Geneva. UNHCR is coordinating relief efforts for more than 200,000 refugees in Shabunda, Tingitingi and Amisi. It is looking at ways of repatriating those who want to go home. Delivery of emergency assistance remains difficult.In Shabunda, the airfield is waterlogged five out of seven days a week. UNHCR, the only agency present in Shabunda, has managed to set up health facilities with assistance from locals and refugees and reactivate and chlorinate water systems unused since agencies departed in December because of security conditions However, despite best efforts of UNHCR and its partners, Ogata said it was impossible to meet even the lifesaving needs of the most vulnerable refugees. Insurmountable logistical difficulties in operating in refugee hosting areas are compounded by lack of security for people in need and staff of international agencies. #There is now a trickle of food coming through the international organizations,#said UNHCR#s Dillah Doumaye, who heads operations in the region, referring to some areas. #However, the situation is extremely precarious, and if things do not improve, we will head toward a humanitarian disaster.# Many refugees, especially children, have already died from malnutrition or disease. In addition, the refugees risk finding themselves in the midst of war, as the conflict in Zaire movescloser to them. #While UNHCR, with its partners, is continuing to do what it can, and is in contact with authorities at the highest level, humanitarian organizations alone have little influence on events that threaten the lives of large numbers of refugees, and indeed of many Zairian civilians,#Ogata said. Another problem is that many refugees remain under the control of the former Rwandan leadership, elements of which are armed. Separation of these people and the refugees is even more difficult now than in the previous camps. Many refugees have indicated to UNHCR that they wish to repatriate to Rwanda. But repatriation would require a safe passage through the conflict zone and security and assistance along the route.