The Economics Section - Page A4
November 15, 1996 PRESIDENT CLINTON'S HEART OF DARKNESS!
Today's Problems in Zaire Are Result of Foreign Policy Failure
by Howard Hobbs Ph.D., Economics EditorWASHINGTON BUREAU - The Congo has long been in a state of flux, particularly since gaining independence. Before that it was known as the darkest heart of Africa.
Sir Henry Stanley (1841-1904) was the British journalist and explorer known for his 1871 expedition into Africa in search of David Livingstone, whom he greeted with the words 'Doctor Livingstone, I presume?'
Since then, Zaire has acquired a well earned sinister reputation. The reputation of the Congo was further blackened in the menacing story written by Joseph Conrad (1857-1924). In the fictional account titled The Heart of Darkness(1902) he prophetically wrote the words: 'The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it.'
The Heart of Darkness is an exposé of greed, Eurpoean exploitation and sheer evil set in the old Congo. The theme of that story is not unlike the story of the Clinton administration in Zaire today. In fact, it is now forever fixed in the American mind that the essence of the 'heart of darkness' is president Clinton's failed African foreign policy. The Clinton administration's adventures with the U.N. and NATO are rapidly picking-up their own black-hearted character.
Belgium's record itself, was also abysmal in the Congo. Zaire so large it is often compared to the size of Western Europe and the richest and worst administered political subdivision in Africa.
It was once the personal fiefdom of the rapacious King Léopold II. The plunder of its riches, the failure to train Congolese senior civil servants and the precipitous departure in 1960 plunged the country into immediate civil war. Zaire was born amid bloodshed and confusion.
The chaos at independence presented the United Nations with its greatest military and political challenge since the Korean War. It barely survived, paralyzed by the resulting bitter East-West rift. UN intervention cost millions of pounds, hundreds of casualties and took the life, in a plane crash, of Dag Hammarskjöld, the Secretary-General. The UN forces had no mandate to intervene in the growing civil war, but in 1961 the Security Council authorized it to use force. Gradually the country was pacified, although not Katanga. White mercenaries, employed by Tshombe, terrorized the rest of the country as they fought for Katangan independence and prevented the arrival of UN forces.
Since the U.N. intervention in the struggle there has been continuous chaos and tribal warfare. For years the world news has been full of the slaughter of civilians, the rape of nuns, the marauding of European mercenaries and the intrigues of the Soviet Union, the CIA and Western mining interests left an indelible impression of bloodshed and bungling that has haunted the West and the UN.
General Mobutu changed the country's name to Zaire in 1971. Consolidating his grip through manipulation of tribal loyalties, he bought off opposition using the huge personal funds he has accumulated, largely from the nationalized mines.
Growing corruption, mismanagement and the neglect of infrastructure led to periodic rebellion. Four years ago there was a virtual coup by the Government, which refused to recognize his authority. However, he changed the currency, effectively bankrupting his enemies. His brutal use of troops, sent to smash shops and harass civilians, shook the opposition; the "dual government" was ended with the appointment of a compromise Prime Minister, Léon Kengo wa Dondo, still in power.
It is a wonder, therefore, that the Clinton administration would consider returning to the Zaire quagmire and again placing U.S. troops in harm's way under the command and direction of a United Nations general.
The Clinton administration may be truly moved by the suffering and starvation of the people of Zaire. President Clinton may 'feel' the pain and misery of millions in Zaire.
Never the less, what is the national interest that is so over-riding that American lives should placed at risk? For the Clinton administration to participate in a military adventure in 'law enforceeeement' is a meaningless waste of resources that will lead nowehere but to another disaster for America. East Zaire's rebels should be left to sort out the refugees.
The experience of American forces in Somalia in 1992-1993 stands as a permanent warning to all the countries now suddenly jumping on the 'must-do-something' bandwagon and offering troops for Zaire. Instead of focusing on a specific humanitarian role in Somalia, the Americans tried to solve all the country's civil war problems and paid with 18 American lives.
Already, there are calls for the Zaire force to separate and disarm the Rwandan Hutu extremist militiamen from the refugees encamped in eastern Zaire.
The London Times editorialized on Friday that the refugee problem will not be solved until the militia have their weapons confiscated by the U.N. forces.
The Clinton administration attempts to disarm the Somali factions led to confrontations that went beyond the United Nations mandate. The Somalia and Zaire missions will have one vital common denominator. The Clinton administration sees the present incursions into Zaire as an attempt to regain lost photo-ops and declining public sentiment for his foreign policy failure in Zaire last year, and in Somalia, before that.
This time, Clinton has insisted upon U.N. authorization to take whatever measures are necessary to implement the mandate. This is not a humanitarian mission. This is not peacekeeping. This is law enforcement imposed upon Zaire by U.N. and Clinton administration intervention, without legal authority. This is a fatal mistake for the Clinton administration and for American troops who are in harm's way.
Like Somalia, and unlike the humanitarian force sent to the former Yugoslavia, the multinational force for Zaire will not wear blue berets, although they will be sent on the authority of the U.N. only.
The extent of the task in confiscating all Zaire guns is a daunting one. There are an estimated six million AK47 rifles in central Africa where Hutu and Tutsi have been feuding for decades.
Making matters worse, the French will be participating in the multinational force. Participation by France in the enforcement operation will put American troops at risk. France's links with the former Hutu-led regime in Rwanda, and its support for the administration of President Mobutu of Zaire make its participation extremely ill-advised.