Citation
NAIROBI, April 10 (Reuter) - The main Western states with citizens at
risk in Rwanda's tribal conflict:
BELGIUM - 1,500 residents. The largest group and the one in greatest
danger because of animosity towards the former colonial power and
rumours among the Hutu, strongly denied in Brussels, that Belgian
troops in the U.N. force shot down President Juvenal Habyarimana's
plane on Wednesday.
Ten Belgian soldiers serving as U.N. peacekeepers were killed last week
trying to protect the Tutsi prime minister, who was murdered by Hutu
troops. Four Belgian civilians are known to have been killed in Kigali.
Belgian military reinforcements were reported to have flown into Kigali
airport on Sunday under an agreement with the new interim government.
An unknown number of Belgian residents have escaped to Burundi and
Zaire.
The international medical charity Medecins sans Frontieres said on
Sunday it was evacuating all Belgian staff from Rwanda.
FRANCE - 600 residents. At least 150 evacuated by air. Paris hopes to
have them all out by Sunday night and has promised that its 460
paratroopers on the ground will not intervene between Rwandans.
GERMANY - 300 residents; 100 have reached Burundi.
UNITED STATES - 230 residents. At least 123 have left, mainly to
Burundi, and many of those have flown on to Kenya. Secretary of State
Warren Christopher said on television on Sunday that As far as I know
there are no Americans that are unsafe there.
300 U.S. marines are in
Burundi.
CANADA - 200 residents, about half in Kigali. Ottawa told them on
Friday to stay low until a Canadian military plane came to their
rescue.
SWITZERLAND - At least 110 residents. 33 reached Burundi. About 80
reported safe at Swiss legation in Kigali.
BRITAIN - 65 residents. London urged them to seek help from French or
Belgiam troops. At least six reached Zaire.
(c) Reuters Limited 1994
