Here is the reason why the Colonel cannot accept the refugees despite his sympathy and desire to help:
1. Limited Mandate: The UN peacekeeping force in Rwanda was deployed under a specific mandate from the UN Security Council. This mandate primarily focused on protecting UN personnel and facilities, monitoring the ceasefire between the warring factions, and facilitating humanitarian assistance. The Colonel's primary responsibility was to ensure the safety of UN personnel and property, not to intervene directly in the internal conflict or provide asylum to refugees.
2. Fear of Escalating Conflict: The Rwandan genocide was a highly volatile and unstable situation. Intervening to protect civilians and refugees could have significantly escalated the conflict, potentially involving the UN forces directly in the fighting. This risk was a major concern for the Colonel, who wanted to avoid further bloodshed and loss of life.
3. Lack of Resources and Support: The UN peacekeeping force was understaffed and lacked the necessary resources to effectively protect the hundreds of thousands of refugees in need of assistance. The Colonel did not have the authority to mobilize additional troops or resources without approval from higher command.
4. Political Considerations: The Colonel's actions were also influenced by political considerations and concerns among member states. Some countries were reluctant to commit more resources to the Rwanda mission or to risk their troops' safety in a complex and dangerous conflict.
5. Bureaucracy and Red Tape: The UN's decision-making process is notoriously bureaucratic and slow-moving. Securing authorization and resources for such a significant humanitarian intervention would have required approvals at various levels of the UN hierarchy, which could have taken a long time.
In summary, the Colonel's refusal to take action or accept refugees in "Hotel Rwanda" stemmed from the limitations of his mandate, fear of escalating the conflict, lack of resources and support, political considerations, and bureaucratic hurdles. Despite his sympathy for the refugees, he was unable to intervene directly and had to prioritize the safety of UN personnel and facilities.