Rwanda
recognition
By
Hugh McKenzie
Volume 48, No. 3, March 9, 2006
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Air
Force’s CPL Lucy Wong, treats baby Habina while serving
on Operation Tamar in Rwanda in 1995.
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The
638 personnel who served in Rwanda in two rotations
from 1994 to 1995 will be given recognition
of war-like service in a decision by the government.
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The
members will have access to existing entitlements
and benefits for war-like service, including
eligibility for the Australian Active Service
Medal and the invalidity service pension.
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SIX
hundred and thirty eight ADF personnel, who served in Rwanda in
two rotations from 1994 to 1995, will have their service recognised
as warlike following a review by Defence and a decision by the
Government.
Australia’s contribution to UNAMIR II (Operation Tamar) saw
the ADF supply medical, infantry, engineering, signals and supporting
elements.
Making the announcement, the Minister Assisting the Minister for
Defence and Minister for Veterans Affairs, Bruce Billson said,
“Facts and history show that the classification ‘non-warlike’
was probably not an accurate account of the threat, hardship and
danger that our ADF personnel were faced with.
“The reclassification will bring immediate benefits to the
ADF personnel involved, not only in recognition but also in ongoing
access to existing entitlements and benefits, eligibility for
the Australian Active Service Medal and also, where those veterans
are unable to work, immediate access to the invalidity service
pension.
“In the longer term, this designation also provides added
support to those ADF personnel, with access to a gold card at
age 70 providing free comprehensive health care, access to the
Service pension at age 60 and much comfort and support for their
family members,” the Minister said.
The Rwandan conflict took the lives of an estimated 800,000 people.
At Kibeho Camp a small Australian team witnessed the massacre
of over 2,000 people by the Tutsi dominated Rwandan Patriotic
Front (RPF).
Restricted by the UN Mandate and the Rules of Engagement, the
Australian soldiers could only look on in horror as the massacre
unfolded in front of them. Under fire and often under the threat
of the RPF, the Australians managed to set up a Casualty Evacuation
station and conduct triage and treatment for the wounded Hutus.
The Director of Defence Honours and Awards (DHA), Irene Wilson
said, “Following a decision to reclassify Op Tamar, DHA would
have to cancel the determination under the ASM (Australian Service
Medal) regulations and establish a new determination under the
AASM.
This could take a month or two depending on when the new declaration
of service is made, the Governor General’s availability and
the nature of the determinations. The time frame after this then
depends on the individual circumstances.
“Current and ex-serving members would need to write to DHA
with their details so that we could examine their individual circumstances.
“Individual entitlement to the ASM would be cancelled, and
the new entitlement to the AASM would be approved by the Governor-General.”
She
said the usual practice was to have the ASM handed back before
the AASM was issued and DHA would provide advice on return of
the ASM and issue of the AASM.
