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Kagame Warns On DRC Involvement

New Vision (Kampala)
NEWS
March 15, 2003
Posted to the web March 17, 2003

By Grace Matsiko And Agencies
Kampala
Rwandese President Paul Kagame reacting to the fighting in Bunia, eastern
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), recently said Rwanda would defend its
security interests "without provoking anybody," Radio Rwanda reported on
Tuesday.
According to radio Rwanda, Interahamwe (Rwandan extremist Hutu militia) and the
former Rwandan Armed Forces (ex-FAR) combatants in Bunia "are uniting with
Kinshasa troops to destabilise the region."
The radio quoted Kagame as saying Rwanda was watching the activities in the DRC
with great interest.
The UPDF ousted the Union des patriotes congolais (UPC) rebel group from Bunia
last week.
Uganda's External Security Organisation chief David Pulkol said UPC rebels were
a mere smokescreen for Rwanda army activities in Bunia.
"We withdrew our forces from the DR Congo, and we had expected the Kinshasa
government, the UN and others who were involved in the Pretoria agreement or
even in the wider agreement of Lusaka - we thought these people would take care
of what remained of the problem, that is, after we withdrew, we were supposed
to see action taken on ex-FAR and Interahamwe and their activities," Kagame
said.
"But if they continue and come close to Rwanda and threaten our security,
naturally we shall take appropriate measures," he said.
Kagame said events in the DRC had not posed a threat to Rwanda's security,
"even though it indeed has a connection with our security."

   

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