Nearly 400 Belgians Evacuated From Riot-Torn Zaire
Zairian guards evacuated nearly 400 Belgians from riot-torn Zaire on Saturday aboard President Mobutu Sese Seko’s personal yacht after telling Belgian commandos not to intervene following two days of fierce rioting.
The refugees, mostly Belgian but including about 60 Germans, 35 Israelis and a handful of other nationalities, were taken to neighboring Congo to escape army-led rioting that has killed more than 45 people since Thursday, including the French ambassador.
They crossed the majestic Congo River in style aboard the Kamanyola, usually referred to as Mobutu’s yacht but actually an old-fashioned four-tiered riverboat.
The evacuation was organized by Belgium, Zaire’s former colonial ruler. About 300 Belgian paratroopers flew into Brazzaville earlier Saturday to carry out the operation.
A smaller French contingent has moved into Zaire’s capital, Kinshasa, to bolster security around the French Embassy. Hundreds of foreigners have fled to the embassy.
The presence of foreign troops apparently helped bring calm Saturday to the capital, which is controlled by forces loyal to Mobutu.
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