Citation
BRUSSELS, April 10 (Reuter) - Belgian paratroops could fly into the
Rwandan capital Kigali within a few hours after agreement was reached
to clear the airport for their arrival, the national news agency Belga
reported on Sunday.
Some 400 paratroops, part of an international force sent to protect and
evacuate foreigners from the stricken former Belgian colony in central
Africa, had been unable to land there and were forced to fly to
neighbouring countries on Saturday.
Rwandan government forces at the airport had refused to allow the
Belgian paratroops to land.
Belga, quoting government sources in Brussels, said agreement had now
been reached that they could fly in to help protect some 1,500 Belgian
nationals in Rwanda -- the biggest contingent of foreigners.
The agency gave no further details but the Belgian government had been
involved in intense diplomatic efforts to resolve the problem.
(c) Reuters Limited 1994
