EVENTS

July 19, 1994

RWANDA REBELS NAME PRESIDENT, PREMIER The rebel Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) has named a Hutu, Pasteur Bizimungu, as the new president of a government due to be installed in Rwanda today. Radio Rwanda also confirmed that Hutu moderate Faustin Twagiramungu would be prime minister. By giving Hutus the two top jobs, the Tutsi-dominated rebels appeared to be trying to reassure the Hutu majority they had nothing to fear under the Hutu-led government. Hutu militia linked to the government forces have been blamed for the slaughter of more than 500,000 people since April 6. Meanwhile, rebels have swept away the last government resistance and won the war for Rwanda, the top rebel commander said yesterday. But another fight was brewing between rebels and French troops protecting an area where government leaders wanted for war crimes have taken refuge, rebel commander Gen. Paul Kagame said. On Sunday, RPF troops warned French forces they intended to capture the men they regarded as war criminals who have sought refuge in a French protection zone in southwestern Rwanda unless French forces handed over the ringleaders of the slaughter. Bosnian peace plan

Bosnian Muslims and Serbs were to convene separately yesterday to vote on an international peace plan. Bosnian Serb leaders, who oppose the plan, warned their people to brace for all-out war. If the plan is rejected, the Bosnian civil war would almost certainly flare with renewed ferocity. Bosnian Serb leaders recommended Sunday that their parliament reject the plan, while the Muslim-led government of Bosnia, apparently banking on a Serb rejection, has reluctantly recommended that its parliament endorse it. The plan's authors the United States, Russia, and West European countries want an answer today. They say rejection could trigger more sanctions on Serb-led Yugoslavia, which has backed Bosnian Serbs, and lifting of an arms embargo against Muslims. Perry in Romania

Defense Secretary William Perry yesterday assured Romanian President Ion Iliescu and other top Romanian officials of America's commitment to stability in the new Europe and finding a solution to the conflict in Bosnia. Mr. Perry, beginning a visit to nine Balkan and southern European nations, told reporters in Bucharest that talks went well and Washington looked forward to closer defense cooperation with Romania and other former Soviet bloc states. Perry also held talks with Romanian Defense Minister Gheorghe Tinca and Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu on issues including future joint military maneuvers and exchanges of military officers as Romania moves toward a free-market economy. Floods hit India, China

Floods, resulting in at least 330 deaths, have hit parts of southern, eastern, and northeastern India, the Press Trust of India reported yesterday. In China, floods set off by rainstorms that lashed the north and central regions last week killed at least 100 and injured thousands, an official newspaper said yesterday. Rains caused rivers to burst their banks and damage roads and bridges, temporarily closing 12 rail links in northeast China, the China Daily said. The floods also left more than 3,400 families homeless.

Nigeria group protests

A pro-democracy group said Sunday 52 members were arrested after protesters demanding an end to military rule clashed with police in Ibadan, Nigeria. Many people were injured Friday during the protest in Ibadan, 75 miles from Lagos. Newspapers said trouble began when demonstrators attacked vehicles carrying Navy Captain Adetoye Sode, the military administrator of Oyo state. Odion-Akhaine said CD, an alliance of human rights, student, and women's groups, would appeal yesterday for international sanctions against Nigeria to help force General Sani Abacha to surrender power to Moshood Abiola, the winner of last year's presidential election.