REFUGEES; WOUNDED, AND BAGGAGE OUT OF AIRCRAFT; DIPLOMATS GREETING REFUGEES




Initials TS/VS/CCT/K



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THREE C130 AIRCRAFT OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, ON LOAN TO THE CONGOLESE GOVERNMENT, ARRIVED IN KINSHASA THE CAPITAL ON SATURDAY (15TH JULY) CARRYING FOREIGN REFUGEES AND CONGOLESE NATIONAL ARMY TROOPS WOUNDED IN LAST WEEK'S REBELLION IN THE EASTERN CONGO. THE REFUGEES BROUGHT TO ABOUT 200 THE NUMBER OF FOREIGNERS EVACUATED FROM KISANGANI (FORMERLY STANLEYVILLE) SINCE THE END OF THE SHORT-LIVED REBELLION.

AND ESTIMATED 400 FOREIGNERS WERE NORMALLY RESIDENT IN KISANGANI AND THERE WERE A NUMBER OF VISITORS, INCLUDING 11 JOURNALISTS MAKING A FACT-FINDING TRIP AT THE INVITATION OF THE CONGOLESE GOVERNMENT. THE JOURNALISTS WERE HELD AS HOSTAGES BY THE REBELS FOR MANY DAYS.

WAITING AT THE AIRPORT TO MEET THE REFUGEES AND WOUNDED WERE RED CROSS WORKERS AND DIPLOMATS FROM THE COUNTRIES TO WHICH THE FOREIGN REFUGEES BELONGED.