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U.S. Department of State, Bureau of African Affairs, Memorandum from Acting Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Prudence Bushnell through Under Secretary for Political Affairs Peter Tarnoff to The
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«VS OFFICE Electronic Mai DECONTROLLED/UNGLASSIFIED
Item Subject: Plane Crash
April 6, 1994
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
TO: The Secretary
THROUGH : P - Mr. Tarnoff To
FROM: AF - Prudence Bushnell _.
. SUBJECT: Death of Rwandan and Burundi Presidents in Plane
Crash Outside Kigali
SUMMARY
A plane crash near Kigali has apparently resulteë in the
death of the Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi. - There are
unconfirmed reports that the plane was shot down by unknown
attackers. The UN special representative in Rwanda has
organized a meeting between the military and Western diplomats
at the U.S. Ambassador's residence at 9:00 AM tComorrow to
discuss the transition.
DISCUSSION
According to reports from Kigali, the Rwarñdan military has
reported that the private plane of Rwandan President Juvenal
Habyarimana was shot down prior to landing at the Kigali
airport sometime prior to 9:00 PM local time (3:00 PM -
Washington time) today. Military officials have reported that
both President Habyarimana and Burundi President Cyprien
Ntaryamira were killed in the subsequent crash. The two
Presidents were returning from a one-day regional summit in Dar
Es Salaam on the Burundi crisis; the Burundi President had
reportedly asked to fly back via Kigali with President
Habyarimana.
The UN peacekeeping. operation, UNAMIR, travelled to the
crash site, but the Rwandan military prevented the UN from
inspecting the site. The Rwandan military also reportedly
disarmed the UN (Belgian) peacekeepers stationed at the airport.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE g/
REVIEW AUTHORITY: HARRY R. MELONE 9722
DATE/CASE ID: 5 MAY 2000 199501642 #87]
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
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The Rwandan Ambassador to Washington confirmed President °
Habyarimana's death in a phone conversation with AF/C, but " FL,
there has been no official announcement of the deaths over oi
gi © ;
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
RS
… VS. OFFICE Electronic mai DECONTROLLED/UNGELASSIFIED Page: 5
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Rwandan radio as yet. In Burundi, the President of the
National Assembly (next in line of presidential succession)
appeared on television at 11:30 PM local time, along with the
UN special envoy to Burundi Ahmedou Abdallah, the Minister of
Defense and the Army Chief of Staff. The Assembly President
confixmed that the Burundi President was travelling with the
Rwandan President and that there had been some problem with the
plane. ‘There was no confirmation of any deaths.
The succession question will be difficult in Rwanda. The -
Arusha accords provide that the President of the Transition
National Assembly assumes the presidency on an interim basis.
However, the Assembly has not yet been installed. ‘An armed
forces delegation told UN special envoy Booh Booh that the
miitary intended to take over power temporarily. Booh Booh
eñcouraged the delegation to work with existing authorities and
- within the framework of the Arusha accords; however, the
military was very resistant to working with the current
(interim) Prime Ministér, Agathe Uwilingiyamana. The
delegation is to meet with Booh Booh and Western diplomats at
the U.S. Ambassador's residence tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM.
The military assured Booh Booh that forces will remain in the
barracks. :
Both our Embassies in Kigali and Bujumbura report that the
cities are relatively calm, although an increase in sporadic
gunfire and grenade explosions was noted in Kigali. Both posts
have instructed the American community to stay at home until
further notice. All Americans are believed safe. There are no
Peace Corps volunteers in either country.
I£, as it appears, both Presidents have been killed, there
is a strong likelihooë that widespread violence could break out
in either or both countries, particularly if it is confirmed
that the plane was shot down. Our strategy is to appeal for
calm äin both countries, both through public statements and in
other wa We are also in close contact with the French and
Hetoise ‘The White House has requested that we prepare a
presidential statement expressing condolences and urging caïm.
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
According to reports from Kigali, the Rwandan military has reported
that the private plane of Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana was
shot down prior to landing at the Kigali airport sometime prior to
9:00 PM local time (3:00 Washington time) today. Military
officials reported that both President Habyarimana and Burundi
President Cyprien Ntaryamira were killed in the subsequent crash.
The two Presidents were returning from a one-day regional summit in
Dar es-Salaam on the Burundi crisis ; the Burundi President has
reportedly asked to fly back via Kigali with President
Habyarimana.
