Sarkozy in Rwanda to mend broken relations

KIGALI, Rwanda, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy traveled to Rwanda Thursday, hoping to improve relations strained since the 1994 genocide, officials said.

Sarkozy's visit is the first by a French president since relations between France and Rwandan President Paul Kagame's government approached the breaking point during the civil war and massacres that led to Kagame's rise to power, Radio France Internationale reported.

Sarkozy was to place a wreath at the monument to the genocide victims in Kigali, Rwanda's capital, before meeting with Kagame, officials said.

Rwanda officially severed relations in 2006 when a French judge issued arrest warrants for nine of Kagame's political allies, accusing them of being involved the plane crash that killed Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana, which triggered the slaughter, the BBC said. Rwanda accused France of training and arming Hutu extremists, who killed 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and Hutu moderates -- charges France denies.

Before going to Rwanda, Sarkozy visited Mali, pledging France's support in fighting al-Qaida after the release of French hostage Pierre Camatte earlier this week following three months' captivity, the French broadcaster said.

Sarkozy thanked President Amadou Toumani Toure for his aid in gaining Camatte's release and said he hasn't forgotten the other five hostages still being held by the extremists.