More details of alleged Zimbabwean training of Interahamwe

Rwandan Minister in the President's Office Patrick Mazimhaka on Wednesday said the JMC could not work unless the rebels were involved, news organisations reported. Meanwhile, the Rwanda News Agency (RNA) said more details had emerged on the alleged training and recruitment of ex-FAR and Interahamwe militia by Zimbabwe. It quoted Rwandan army spokesman Major Emmanuel Ndahiro as saying it was "no secret" that Zimbabwe had been involved in "actively training" the militias. RNA also cited other sources as saying "full relations with ex-FAR and Interahamwe were established in October 1998 when more than 30 former Rwandan politicians and ex-FAR officials were given political asylum [in Zimbabwe] to assist the war effort in DRC". More ex-FAR/Interahamwe recruits had been arriving from Kenya, Central African Republic, South Africa and other countries, RNA's sources added. They claimed that since January 1999, at least 505 company commanders had received training at the Gweru army college in Harare. Reuters, however, said Zimbabwe dismissed the accusations. "There is nothing like that. It's another load of cheap propaganda from Rwanda," Zimbabwe army spokesman Colonel Chancellor Diye was quoted as saying on Thursday.