Secret report on militias’ backers could embarrass Britain. A confidential United Nations report has accused Rwanda, Uganda and elements within the new transitional government in Congo of continuing to arm militias in the country to keep control of the rich diamond and gold fields. The document, part of a longer report on the exploitation of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mineral resources published in October, was sent privately to the security council because of its “highly sensitive” information. If the allegations are true they will sorely test the 10,000-strong UN military mission trying to bring order to the country. Last week, in his latest assessment of the mission’s task, Kofi Annan, the UN secretary general, spoke of a “vicious circle of lawlessness” and “massive violations” of human rights continuing unabated. Full Story