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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Rwanda Targets French Leaders for Genocide

Commission says Paris was complicit in 1994 massacres

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(Newser) – Senior French politicians, including the late president François Mitterand and two prime ministers, were complicit in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, alleges a  500-page report released by the government . The report, which follows a 2-year investigation, also accuses the French military of crimes against humanity. Rwanda's justice ministry said yesterday that it seeks to put the accused politicians on trial, reports the Guardian.

The report is the latest salvo in a long-running struggle between France and Rwanda over responsibility for the deaths of 800,000 people. Two years ago a leading French judge accused Paul Kagame, Rwanda's president and the erstwhile leader of the Tutsi rebels, of ordering the assassination of his predecessor. That claim sparked outrage in the Rwandan government, which says France armed Hutu extremists.

Skulls belonging to the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide are shown in a display case at the Nyamata church, Nov. 24, 2006, outside of Kigali, Rwanda.
Skulls belonging to the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide are shown in a display case at the Nyamata church, Nov. 24, 2006, outside of Kigali, Rwanda.   (AP Photo/Jody Kurash)
Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda and former Tutsi rebel leader.
Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda and former Tutsi rebel leader.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
Rwanda's President Paul Kagame listens as U.S. President George W. Bush, unseen, speaks at a press briefing at the Presidency in Kigali, Rwanda Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008.
Rwanda's President Paul Kagame listens as U.S. President George W. Bush, unseen, speaks at a press briefing at the Presidency in Kigali, Rwanda Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
The late Francois Mitterand, president of France, was accused of complicity in genocide by a Rwandan commission.
The late Francois Mitterand, president of France, was accused of complicity in genocide by a Rwandan commission.   (Magnum Photos)
Dominique de Villepin, former French prime minister, was accused of complicity in the French genocide of 1994.
Dominique de Villepin, former French prime minister, was accused of complicity in the French genocide of 1994.   (KRT Photos)
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