Shelling Disrupts Food Distribution, Ex-Rwandan Soldiers Blamed

Shelling on Wednesday disrupted the first distribution of aid in Goma since civil war broke out in eastern Zaire three weeks ago. The new fighting jeopardized a pact between Zairian anti-government rebels and the United Nations to bring much-needed food to a million Rwandan refugees.

Rebel leader Laurent Kabila blamed Hutu ex-soldiers and militiamen from Rwanda for the artillery barrage on the lakeside town of Goma. He vowed to retaliate against the attackers - even if they take shelter among civilian refugees.

“We are not going to stay silent while they shell mortars onto a peaceful town, killing innocent people,” Kabila said.

The Rwandans repeatedly fired 120mm mortar shells from Mugunga, seven miles northwest of Goma, Kabila said.

About 300,000 refugees remain just west of Mugunga, which was the largest refugee camp in the world until fighting there sent the Hutus fleeing.

Most have been barred from returning home by Hutu militiamen and soldiers who have nothing to gain by going back to Rwanda, where they would face prosecution or reprisals for their 1994 slaughter of at least a half-million people, mostly Tutsis.

Kabila said well-armed rebel troops have surrounded Mugunga. “We know what we must do. We can quickly end what’s happening there.” The rebels cannot wait for the United Nations to deploy an international military force to secure the region, he said.