This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6179436.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Rwanda recalls France ambassador Rwanda recalls France ambassador
(10 minutes later)
Rwanda has recalled its ambassador to France in a row over arrest warrants in connection with the 1994 genocide, issued by a French judge.Rwanda has recalled its ambassador to France in a row over arrest warrants in connection with the 1994 genocide, issued by a French judge.
The judge signed warrants for nine aides of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.The judge signed warrants for nine aides of Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
They are accused of involvement in the shooting down of a plane carrying Rwanda's former president - an incident which sparked the mass slaughter.They are accused of involvement in the shooting down of a plane carrying Rwanda's former president - an incident which sparked the mass slaughter.
The judge has accused Mr Kagame of ordering the former president's death. Mr Kagame has denied involvement.The judge has accused Mr Kagame of ordering the former president's death. Mr Kagame has denied involvement.
More than 800,000 people died in the 100-day massacres of Tutsis and moderate Hutus which followed the killing of the ethnic Hutu President Juvenal Habyarimana.More than 800,000 people died in the 100-day massacres of Tutsis and moderate Hutus which followed the killing of the ethnic Hutu President Juvenal Habyarimana.
The French allegations have sparked anger in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, where around 25,000 people are reported to have taken part in a government-organised demonstration against France.The French allegations have sparked anger in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, where around 25,000 people are reported to have taken part in a government-organised demonstration against France.
Foreign Minister Charles Murigande told AFP news agency Kigali had recalled its ambassador to Paris as they didn't "see why he should be there at this point".Foreign Minister Charles Murigande told AFP news agency Kigali had recalled its ambassador to Paris as they didn't "see why he should be there at this point".
He said Kigali had not yet decided whether to send the envoy back.He said Kigali had not yet decided whether to send the envoy back.
"France is intent on destroying our government, we do not see any need for keeping any relationship with a hostile country.""France is intent on destroying our government, we do not see any need for keeping any relationship with a hostile country."
Missiles
The French judge, Jean-Louis Bruguiere, is investigating the case because the crew of the plane were French and the families filed a case in France in 1998.
Those the judge wants to arrest include armed forces chief James Kabarebe and army chief-of-staff Charles Kayonga. Under French law, as head of state Mr Kagame has immunity.
ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED James Kabarebe, military chief-of-staffCharles Kayonga, army chief-of-staffFaustin Nyamwasa-Kayumba, ambassador to IndiaJackson Nkurunziza, working for presidential guardSamuel Kanyamera, RPF deputyJacob Tumwime, army officerFranck Nziza, presidential guard officerEric Hakizimana, intelligence officerRose Kabuye, director general of state protocol Profile: Paul Kagame
Judge Bruguiere has said that only Mr Kagame's Tutsi-dominated Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) forces had missiles capable of downing President Habyarimana's plane.
He said the attack was carefully planned by the RPF.
Mr Kagame has denied this and has always accused France of having links to those who carried out the genocide.
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) brushed aside suggestions from Judge Bruguiere that Mr Kagame should stand trial there.
"The prosecutor takes instructions from nobody in the world," said Everard O'Donnell, spokesman for the Arusha-based tribunal.
"The crash did not create the genocide," he said.
Protests
Mr Kagame has described suggestions that he was behind the assassination of the former president as scandalous.
Thousands turned out to protest against France
After Habyarimana's plane crashed, Hutu extremists started massacring ethnic Tutsis and Hutu moderates.
The genocide came to an end when Mr Kagame's then rebel RPF seized power 100 days later.
The RPF has always said the Hutu extremists shot down the presidential plane to provide a pretext to carry out the genocide.
"That some judge in France whose name I cannot even pronounce has something to say about Rwanda - trying a president and some government officials - that's rubbish," Mr Kagame said on Wednesday.
And at the rally in Kigali, activists hit out at France.
"The French trained Interahamwe [Hutu militias] everywhere in the country but it did not stop them from losing," Francois Ngarambe, president of genocide survivors' group Ibuka told demonstrators.
He accused France of sheltering genocide suspects. "If they want justice, why don't they start with such people?" he said.