Abstract
- Abroad, the Tutsi rebels of the FPR stopped their advance today after the takeover yesterday [July 4] of the two cities of Kigali and Butare.
- Now only 10 kilometers separate the Tutsi of the RPF and the French forces. The latter are now setting up a security zone and will defend it if necessary by force. And we also learned this evening that French planes have bombed rebel positions. Information of course to be taken in the conditional: it indeed comes from the FPR radio.
- François Mitterrand, who ends his visit to South Africa today, did not fail to speak out about this increasingly delicate situation for French soldiers. For the head of state, France is not yet in the war. She is not in the war: "She extends, I quote, a helping hand."
- François Mitterrand: "France does not intend to carry out a military operation in Rwanda against anyone. The fate of the Rwandans depends on the Rwandans. The Rwandan Patriotic Front is not our adversary! We are not seeking to retain its possible success! We simply say: 'There must be somewhere a place where people in danger can find help'. We extend a helping hand. There our action stops. And we are sorry to note that international organizations have not already put in place the system which would make it possible to avoid leaving this burden to France alone.