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| France probed on Rwanda genocide | France probed on Rwanda genocide |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| An investigation into France's alleged role in the genocide in Rwanda has started in the capital, Kigali. | |
| France has been accused by government officials in Rwanda of being complicit in the killing of 800,000 people. | France has been accused by government officials in Rwanda of being complicit in the killing of 800,000 people. |
| A panel of respected Rwandans is hearing claims that French soldiers stationed in Rwanda allowed or even encouraged the massacre of Tutsis. | |
| France has denied playing any role in the 100-day frenzy of killing that took place in 1994. | France has denied playing any role in the 100-day frenzy of killing that took place in 1994. |
| The panel is headed by former Justice Minister Jean de Dieu Mucyo and its hearings are being broadcast live on local radio. | |
| It is hearing from 25 survivors of the genocide, who claim to have witnessed French involvement. | |
| "This is an important inquiry that should be witnessed by everyone interested in this important episode of our history," Mr Mucyo was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. | "This is an important inquiry that should be witnessed by everyone interested in this important episode of our history," Mr Mucyo was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. |
| French deployment | French deployment |
| The panel will determine whether or not to refer the allegations to the International Court of Justice. | The panel will determine whether or not to refer the allegations to the International Court of Justice. |
| Its findings are expected within six months. | Its findings are expected within six months. |
| The Rwandan government has alleged that France trained and armed some of the Hutus who carried out the killing spree in which 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus died. | The Rwandan government has alleged that France trained and armed some of the Hutus who carried out the killing spree in which 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus died. |
| French soldiers were deployed in parts of Rwanda in the final weeks of the genocide under a United Nations mandate to set up a protected zone. | French soldiers were deployed in parts of Rwanda in the final weeks of the genocide under a United Nations mandate to set up a protected zone. |
| But Rwanda says the soldiers allowed Hutu extremists to enter Tutsi camps. | But Rwanda says the soldiers allowed Hutu extremists to enter Tutsi camps. |
| A French military court is conducting a separate investigation into claims that French soldiers played a part in the genocide. | A French military court is conducting a separate investigation into claims that French soldiers played a part in the genocide. |
| Separately, some of Rwanda's most high-profile genocide cases have already been tried by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), based in the Tanzanian town of Arusha. | Separately, some of Rwanda's most high-profile genocide cases have already been tried by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), based in the Tanzanian town of Arusha. |
| Twenty-five ringleaders have been convicted since 1997, but the Rwandan government has expressed frustration at the slow legal process. | Twenty-five ringleaders have been convicted since 1997, but the Rwandan government has expressed frustration at the slow legal process. |