Rwanda Forces Halt Rebel Offensive Aimed at Capital

Rwandan forces used helicopter gunships and cannons in a counterattack that stopped rebels advancing on the Central African nation’s capital, a diplomatic source said today.

The diplomat--speaking from Rwanda’s capital, Kigali--said the rebel force had been sharply reduced by the army attack Wednesday and today on the rebel’s main force around Gabiro, 40 miles northeast of Kigali.

“Frankly, the tide has turned,” said the diplomat. “It’s not looking good for the rebels,” who invaded Rwanda from Uganda several days ago.

Belgium, Rwanda’s colonial ruler, said today it will send an unspecified number of troops and military equipment to Kigali “without delay.” Belgian radio said 200 paratroopers have been sent to Rwanda.

In Paris, the Foreign Ministry announced that about 150 soldiers will be sent to Kigali tonight to protect the French Embassy and French nationals.

Rwanda has mobilized its 5,000 troops, but the well-armed guerrillas are eluding government forces by striking in their Uganda army uniforms, then withdrawing to change into civilian clothes, said the diplomat.

The rebels, whose numbers are estimated from several hundred to more than 1,000, invaded Rwanda from its northern neighbor Uganda on Sunday.

The rebels are Rwandan refugees, predominantly of the Tutsi tribe. They have lived in Uganda since bloody ethnic battles in the late 1950s and early 1960s when the majority Hutu tribe gained control of Rwanda..

Uganda has denounced the invaders and closed its border.