EX-MAYOR ADRESSED GENOCIDE MEETING

Arusha, December 3, 2001 (FH) - Former Rwandan mayor Juvénal Kajelijeli addressed a genocide-planning meeting in April 1994 in Rwanda, a witness told judges at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) on Monday. Protected witness "GAP" said that Kajelijeli had attended several such meetings in the run up to the genocide.

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"Conclusions adopted at those meetings were implemented after the shooting down of Habyarimana's plane,"GAP said. "Massacres followed. "GAP said that the meeting had taken place in Mukingo, where Kajelijeli was mayor. GAP told the court that he had been a security guard at the venue of the meetings. Witness GAP is a detainee in Rwanda awaiting trial for genocide in Mukingo commune. He has pleaded not guilty. Kajelijeli's defence counsel Lennox Hinds of the US suggested that GAP had struck a deal with the Rwandan prosecution to testify against Kajeljeli in exchange for being released. "Isn't it a fact that you expect that based on how good you do the job here at the ICTR, you will be set free?" asked Hinds. "No," answered GAP, "My case file will be pleaded and argued. I'm only here to testify against Kajelijeli. "The case is before Trial Chamber Two of the ICTR, composed of judges William Sekule of Tanzania (presiding), Arlette Ramaroson of Madagascar and Winston Churchill Matanzima Maqutu of Lesotho. GG/JC/DO/FH (KJ1203e)