Rebels Retake Rwanda Garrison Town

Rebels have retaken the garrison town of Gabiro, just 40 miles from Kigali, the capital, the government said Sunday.

An army spokesman said the rebels, mostly refugees from the minority Tutsi tribe who deserted from the Ugandan army and invaded Rwanda on Oct. 1, recaptured the town Saturday night.

News of the rebel advance came as Belgium, Rwanda’s former colonial ruler, announced that it is ready to help to set up peace talks and, if necessary, to take a direct part in them.

The Belgian Foreign Ministry said it is also considering how the United Nations could contribute to a lasting peace in the Central African country.

The army spokesman said that Zairean troops had helped the army to reoccupy Gabiro, which had fallen to the rebels soon after the invasion Thursday.

He gave no details of how the town, which consists of a military camp, a hotel and a village of about 200 people, had been seized once again by the rebels.

But Western diplomatic sources said they believe the Zairean troops withdrew from their camp at the Gabiro hotel and there had been no battle.

Belgium sent in nearly 600 paratroopers to protect its nationals soon after the invasion. Evacuation was obligatory for Belgian government-sponsored aid workers, some of whom complained that it was unnecessary because the situation in their region was calm.