

			 THE WHITE HOUSE

		  Office of the Press Secretary
_____________________________________________________________                                                             
For Immediate Release                           April 7, 1994


		    STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

	THE DEATHS OF THE PRESIDENTS OF RWANDA AND BURUNDI


     I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the tragic 
deaths of President Juvenal Habyarimana of Rwanda and President 
Cyprien Ntaryamira of Burundi last night in a plane crash outside 
Kigali, Rwanda.  The two Presidents were returning from a 
regional summit in Arusha, Tanzania, intended to bring an end to 
the civil wars that have plagued their two countries for more 
than three decades.

     Both Presidents were seeking means to end the bloodshed in 
their troubled countries and facilitate a movement toward peace 
and democracy.  Their deaths are a tragic blow to the long-
suffering Rwandan and Burundian people.  

     I am equally horrified that elements of the Rwandan security 
forces have sought out and murdered Rwandan officials, including 
the Prime Minister, Agathe Uwilingiyimana.

     On behalf of the people of the United States, I extend my 
condolences to the families of the deceased Presidents and the 
Prime Minister as well as to the peoples of the two nations.

     I strongly condemn these actions and I call on all parties 
to cease any such actions immediately.  These tragedies must not 
derail Rwanda and Burundi from pursuing national reconciliation 
and democracy.   


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