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The RPF is formed largely of Tutsis, who went into exile in 1959 when Rwanda's majority Hutus rebelled against their traditional overlords.
"Looking then at the actual facts of the war, I call on the population to (support) the union and to help the army dislodge the RPF rebels, the president said. Habyarimana then asked the rebels to "accept negotiations instead of telling us that you are bringing us democracy at the end of a gun."
In Paris, Hurd had a breakfast meeting with French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas where the Rwanda situation was discussed.
Rwanda is "one of the African crises and I gave my assurance that I would do what I could using our influence so that all the countries of the region, specifically Uganda, do their best to pacify the situation," Hurd said.
According to French intelligence services, the RPF attacks against government forces near the Uganda border in northern Rwanda benefit from Ugandan logistic support.
France has sent 600 troops to Rwanda to protect French nationals.
mgu-sa/cm/nb
AFP AFP SEQN-0293
