U.S. Troops May Assist Refugees

The U.S. military will take part in an international effort to assist the swarms of refugees in Eastern Zaire, but the precise nature of the American role is still undecided, an administration official said Tuesday.

The official, who asked not to be identified, raised the possibility that ground troops would be sent but said an announcement probably is a few days off.

A 40-member U.S. military team will be flown to Central Africa from Italy today to assess the humanitarian situation, the Pentagon announced. Also, a team from the U.S. Agency for International Development was attempting to cross into Zaire from Rwanda on Tuesday.

Officially, the State Department stopped short of saying a decision had been made to send U.S. troops. Instead, spokesman Glyn Davies reiterated the U.S. position that there is an emerging international consensus that humanitarian intervention is necessary and a security component will be required.

At the White House, spokesman Mike McCurry said senior foreign policy advisors are reviewing options concerning Zaire.

He said President Clinton is concerned about whether proposals for American involvement in Zaire are well-defined and wellcoordinated and whether there are clear lines of authority.

The administration has been extremely cautious about humanitarian interventions in Africa ever since 18 Americans soldiers were killed in a firefight in Somalia three years ago.

U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali said in Rome that Canada has agreed to lead a multinational contingent of up to 20,000 troops in Zaire. He said more than a dozen nations, including South Africa, have so far pledged support.

U.S. officials traveling with Secretary of State Warren Christopher in Europe said the United States is willing to back a lead role for Canada because Washington itself is not eager for such duty. It also means that France will have a peripheral role, which is consistent with U.S. wishes, those officials said.