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August 2, 2023 French

Conseil restreint

Card Number 157

Number
157
Author
Denoix de Saint Marc, Renaud
Author
Huchon, Jean-Pierre
Date
2 avril 1993
Ymd
19930402
Title
Conseil restreint
Size
115289 bytes
Pages nb.
3
Public records
FM
Type
Note
Language
FR
Abstract
During this restricted council, the Minister of Defense François Léotard considers that the situation is very serious and of great urgency insofar as the RPF is advancing towards Kigali and advancing with troops in civilian clothes.
Comment
At the end of February 1993, attacked by French howitzers, the RPF halted its offensive, decreed a cease-fire, then resumed peace negotiations in Arusha. At the first Conseil restreint of the cohabitation government, following the defeat of the left in the legislative elections of March 21 and 28, 1993, François Léotard, Minister of Defense, declares : « The situation is of great gravity and urgency. The RPF is progressing towards Kigali. He advances with troops in plain clothes ». This offensive is an invention of Minister Léotard or it was suggested to him by the military intelligence (the DRM), who would have liked to test the new government of the right. Indeed, at the same council, Admiral Lanxade, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, says more cautiously : « We must consider an RPF offensive sometime next week ». Speaking of RPF troops in civilian clothes, Minister Léotard endorsed the definition of the enemy identified with the Tutsi, armed or not. He asks for a reinforcement of 1,200 men. Balladur : « Our strengths are too weak […] We can put a thousand more men ». Were these 1,200 men sent to Rwanda? We do not see any trace. But aid to the Habyarimana regime is becoming more and more secret. This report undermines the theory of Foreign Minister Alain Juppé that he has influenced France's policy in Rwanda in favor of a negotiated solution and recourse to the UN.