Citation
LONDON, April 10 (Reuter) - Britain said on Sunday that it was advising
its nationals in Rwanda to leave the strife-torn country immediately.
The Foreign Office issued the advice through BBC World Service radio
and the British High Commission in Kampala, Uganda. It told Britons to
find French or Belgian troops to escort them to either Kigali airport
or to join convoys heading for Burundi or Tanzania.
In view of the deterioration of law and order in Rwanda the French
authorities are taking measures to evacuate their own and British
nationals from the country. The Foreign and Commonweatlh Office
strongly advises British nationals in Rwanda to leave,
a government
statement said.
A government official said: We're expecting all of those who want to
leave will get out today. We're liaising closely with the French and
Belgians who are bringing people out today.
There are about 65 British missionaries and aid workers working in
Rwanda.
Britain's honorary consul, Tony Wood, was preparing to leave his
bungalow to join the exodus. He has been under siege since last
Thursday and has been keeping in touch with British media by telephone.
Wood said many expatriates were finding the situation threatening with
marauding gangs on the streets.
If they don't get what they want from people, it's curtains. This
country is being destroyed and it is a real tragedy,
said Wood who has
lived in Rwanda since 1968.
I am not afraid. I have almost reached my allotted two score years and
ten and I'm sitting here next door to the home of the Papal Nuncio,
hoping he is praying for me,
Wood said.
(c) Reuters Limited 1994
