Citation
0051
UNCLASSIFIED
PTQ5249
RELEASED IN FULL
SECRET
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ACTION AF-01
KIGALI
INFO
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/019W
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G-00
00761
PTQ5249
151045Z
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PM-00
USIE-00
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BO9E7A 151048Z /38
P 151045Z MAR 95
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0324
S E C R E T KIGALI 000761
E.O. 12356: NA
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PINS, MOPS, MARK, RW, FR, CG
SUBJECT: RUMORS OF FRENCH SUPPORT FOR EX-FAR
TAKE ON A LIFE OF THEIR OWN
1.
SECRET -- ENTIRE TEXT
2.
OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS RUMORS THAT THE FRENCH
GOVERNMENT IS SECRETLY SUPPLYING ARMS TO EX-FAR UNITS IN
ZAIRE HAVE PASSED FROM SOTTO VOCE SUSPICIONS AMONG UNAMIR
INTELLIGENCE TYPES TO COMMON CURRENCY AMONG THE UN AND
NGO COMMUNITY. A VISITING CANADIAN DELEGATION FROM FIDA
SECRET
SECRET
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KIGALI 00761 151045Z
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: JOHN L MILLS
DATE/CASE ID: 06 AUG 2007 200103014
UNCLASSIFIED
H-01
NSCE-00
SS-00
DRL-09
UNCLASSIFIED
RAISED THE ISSUE POINT-BLANK OVER LUNCH WITH CHARGE AT
THE AMERICAN CLUB MARCH 13. THE CANADIANS SAID EVERYONE
THEY HAD TALKED TO HAD TALKED TO THEM ABOUT IT. THEY
SAID THAT THEY BELIEVED THAT THE GOR MUST ALSO BE AWARE
OF THESE RUMORS.
3. AS DATT HAS REPORTED SEPARATELY, A BRITISH JOURNALIST
HAS PRODUCED WHAT HE CLAIMS IS DOCUMENTARY PROOF OF ARMS
COMING INTO GOMA IN VARIOUS AIRCRAFT ON VARIOUS ROUTES.
WE HAVE SEEN NO/NO DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE THAT PROVES
FRENCH INVOLVEMENT. AFTER SEVERAL REPORTED SECURITY
INCIDENTS INVOLVING INTERAHAMWE INFILTRATORS ROADBLOCKS
THROUGHOUT RWANDA HAVE BEEN ESPECIALLY VIGILANT RECENTLY.
ALL BAGGAGE IS BEING SEARCHED FOR GRENADES. GRENADES ARE
ONE OF THE ITEMS SAID TO BE COMING IN ON THE FLIGHTS TO
GOMA.
4. A REPORT FROM AN AMERICAN WORKING AT THE CAMPS IN
GOMA THAT THE POPULATION OF MILITARY-AGE CIVILIAN MEN IN
THE CAMPS HAD DIMINISHED RAPIDLY -- NEARLY DISAPPEARED -IS ALSO WIDELY KNOWN IN KIGALI AND IS LEADING TO
SPECULATION ON THEIR WHEREABOUTS AND INTENTIONS.
5. COMMENT: WE CAN NEITHER CONFIRM NOR DENY, PROVE NOR
DISPROVE THESE RUMORS, BUT WE SUGGEST THAT DEPARTMENT DO
THE NECESSARY TO LAY THEM TO REST. THE SUSPICION THAT A
MAJOR PLAYER HAS A SECRET AGENDA -- DESTABILIZATION -DOES NOT ENCOURAGE OTHER DONORS TO COMMIT THEIR
RESOURCES; NOR DOES IT INCREASE THE CONFIDENCE OF THE GOR
IN THE GOOD INTENTIONS OF WESTERN NATIONS AS A GROUP.
RPF SUSPICIONS OF THE FRENCH HAVE RECENTLY BEEN
SECRET
SECRET
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KIGALI 00761 151045Z
TRANSLATED INTO PROBLEMS FOR FRENCH NGOS HERE; THOSE SAME
SUSPICIONS COULD AFFECT THE DONOR AND NGO COMMUNITY AS A
WHOLE. RAWSON
UNCLASSIFIED
