UN soldiers row over Congo civilian protection

By Joe Bavier

CHAMBUCHA, Congo (Reuters) - United Nations peacekeepers are refusing to patrol a zone in eastern Congo, leaving tens of thousands of civilians vulnerable to massacres, rapes and looting by gunmen, officials and witnesses said.

The civilians, under attack from Rwandan Hutu rebels, are trapped in a corner of North Kivu province Indian peacekeepers officially operate in but cannot get to due to poor roads, and Pakistani soldiers nearby refuse to enter due to procedures.

"We asked for (the Pakistanis) to patrol in the southern part of North Kivu, but they refused to leave their area of responsibility," a U.N. official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters.

Congo hosts the U.N.'s largest force but the mission there is stretched thin across the vast nation still trying to consolidate peace in its eastern provinces, three years after polls that were meant to end a decade of war and chaos.

Over the last few months, the world body's blue helmets have supported Congo's army in continuing operations, first launched with help from former foe Rwanda, against the Hutu rebels who have been at the heart much of Congo's conflict.

U.N. Security Council member states have touted the offensive as a major step forward but it has failed to curb attacks on civilians, who have been targeted by the Rwandan rebels who accuse them of collaboration.

"The main villages have been burned. It's deserted. There are only gunmen now. There's not a single U.N. position," said Isaac Mongolare, who until February, administered 14 health centres meant to serve around 100,000 people in the area.

Today, just six of the zone's health centres remain.