Citation
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Document Number: 1994KIGALI01 429
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Case Number: 200003723
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ACTION AF-01
RELEASED IN FULL
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KIGALI 01429 010638Z
AID-01 CEA-01 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00
EXME-00
EB-01
DODE-00 ITCE-00 DS-00
ITC-01
TEDE-00 INR-00
H-01
HA-09
NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OMB-01 OPIC-01 PA-02
STR-01
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/027W
USIE-00 RPE-01 PMB-00
36EF07 010639Z /38
R 010638Z APR 94
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6109
INFO AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
INFO LOG-00
OASY-00
FRB-01
ADS-00
PRS-01
T-00
C-01
E-01
L-01
PM-00
TRSE-00
, UNCLAS KIGALI 01429
BUJUMBURA FOR RSO
DEPT FOR AF/C AND EB
E.O. 12356:N/A
TAGS: EINV, PINS, PINR, PREL, ECON, RW
SUBJECT: SORWATHE TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN
REF:
A) KIGALI 1170 B) KIGALI 1148 AND C) KIGALI 1039
1. NORMAN RIDPATH, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF SORWATHE,
ADVISED ECONOFF THAT THE U.S. OWNED TEA FACTORY WOULD
REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL THE SECURITY SITUATION IN THE AREA
UNLASS IFIED
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KIGALI 01429 010638Z
PAGE 02.
IMPROVED. THE FACTORY WAS SHUT DOWN ON MARCH 18,
FOLLOWING THE MURDERS ON MARCH 15 OF THE DIRECTOR
GENERAL AND THE SECRETARY OF ASSOPTHE (THE RWANDAN
ASSOCIATION OF TEA GROWERS). SEE REF B.
2. TO PROTEST THE FACTORY'S TEMPORARY CLOSURE, LOCAL
TEA GROWERS THREATENED TO BLOCK THE ROAD FROM KIGALI
TO RUHENGERI ON MARCH 24 AND 25. NO PROTESTS EVER
MATERIALIZED; BUT AREA RESIDENTS THREATENED TO ATTACK
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: JOHN L. MILLS
DATE/CASE ID: 20 NOV 2002 200003723
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Document Number: 1994KIGALI01429
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Case Number: 200003723
THE RWANDAN ASSISTANT MANAGER OF SORWATHE. THE
ASSISTANT MANAGER HAS REMAINED IN KIGALI EVER SINCE.
3. COMMENT. THE SORWATHE CLOSURE, EVEN IF TEMPORARY,
IS YET ANOTHER BLOW TO AN ECONOMY THAT IS ALREADY ON
ITS KNEES. SORWATHE IS THE ONLY VIABLE FACTORY
CURRENTLY OPERATING IN THE DMZ. IT EMPLOYS 1026
WORKERS AND PROVIDES INCOME TO THE TEA GROWERS OF
THREE COMMUNES (APPROXIMATELY 1000 PERSONS). IT IS
UNLIKELY THAT SECURITY IN THE AREA CAN BE ASSURED TO
ALLOW THE FACTORY TO RE-OPEN UNTIL THERE IS A
GOVERNMENT. SHOULD THE INSECURITY CONTINUE, DMZ TEA
GROWERS COULD BECOME DISPLACED PERSONS AGAIN, SEEKING
HUMANITARIAN AID AND REFUGE OUTSIDE THE DMZ. RAWSON
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