Citation
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ACTION AF-01
INFO
LOG-00
CTME-00
FBO-01
L-03
OMB-01
SIL-00
USIE-00
KIGALI
AID-01
C-01
HA-09
ADS-00
OPR-01
SP-00
USSS-00
04114
RELEASED IN FULL
191407Z
AMAD-01
OASY-00
H-01
M-00
PA-01
SR-00
ASDS-01
CCO-00
CA-02
A-01
EB-01
DODE-00 DS-00
IMMC-01 TEDE-00 INR-00
NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OCS-06
P-01
PRS-01
PM-02
STR-16
S3-00
SSO-00
/076W
CORE-00
RPE-01
070796 191408Z /38
P 191406Z NOV 93
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5070
INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
C ONFIDENTIALKIGALI 04114
E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: PHUM, PINS, PINR, RW
SUBJECT: ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON HUMAN RIGHTS LEADER
REF: KIGALI 4082
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KIGALI 04114 191407Z
1. (U) HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST ALPHONSE NKUBITO, WHO
WAS THE VICTIM OF AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT 11/14,
REMAINS HOSPITALIZED. ALTHOUGH HE IS OUT OF DANGER
HE REMAINS UNDER OBSERVATION: THE SHRAPNEL LODGED IN
HIS THIGH, BUTTOCKS AND BACK HAVE NOT BEEN REMOVED
(AND MAY NOT BE).
2. (LOU) MORE IMPORTANTLY, HE AND HIS HUMAN RIGHT
COLLEAGUES ARE RELUCTANT FOR HIM TO RETURN TO HIS
HOME UNLESS SOME FORM OF PROTECTION CAN BE ARRANGED
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: WILLIAM E LANDFAIR
DATE/CASE ID: 18 JAN 2005 200401096
UNCLASSIFIED
CIAE-00
EUR-01
10-16
01C-02
SCT-03
TRSE-00
UNCLASSIFIED
FOR HIM. THEY ARE CONCERNED THAT HIS ATTACKERS ARE
STILL AT LARGE AND COULD STRIKE AGAIN. HIS HOUSE IS
IN A REMOTE PART OF TOWN WHICH IS POPULATED PRIMARILY
BY PERSONS AFFILIATED WITH THE HUTU EXTREMIST CDR
PARTY. THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE RESERVED FOR THE
OCCUPANT OF HIS POSITION IS NOT AVAILABLE TO HIM
BECAUSE HIS PREDECESSOR REFUSED TO MOVE AFTER BEING
REASSIGNED TO RUHENGERI. THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS ARE
WORKING ON EITHER FINDING HIM A SECURE GOVERNMENT
HOUSE, OBTAINING SECURITY FOR HIM AT HIS HOUSE, OR
FINDING HIM A TEMPORARY SAFEHAVEN.
3. (C) THE EMBASSY HAS MADE THE POINT WITH SEVERAL
INTERLOCUTORS THAT POLITICAL ASSASSINATION IS
UNACCEPTABLE AND THAT HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SHOULD
NOT BE THREATENED. THE AMBASSADOR RAISED THE ISSUE
OF THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON NKUBITO 11/15 WITH
THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUR DE CASSATION (THE CHIEF
JUDGE OF THE HIGHEST COURT IN RWANDA), THE MINISTER
OF JUSTICE, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE PRESIDENT'S
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KIGALI 04114 191407Z
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CABINET. THE DCM, WHO HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE
ATTACK SHORTLY AFTER IT TOOK PLACE, ALERTED HUMA
RIGHTS ACTIVISTS WHO VISITED NKUBITO IN HOSPITAL
EARLY 11/15. DCM ALSO SPOKE TO THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR
OF KIGALI MORNING OF 11/15. HE CONFIRMED THAT A
JUDICIAL INVESTIGATION WAS UNDERWAY AND THAT HE HAD
ALREADY BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE HEAD OF THE
GENDARMERIE INVESTIGATION UNIT ABOUT THE MATTER.
NEITHER INVESTIGATION HAS YET YIELDED ANY LEADS.
FLATEN
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