Press Statement Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman Washington, DC August 13, 2002
Arrest of Rwanda Tribunal Indictee Augustin Bizimungu
The United States welcomes and applauds the recent arrest by the Government of Angola of Augustin Bizimungu, an accused leader of those who perpetrated the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. We anticipate Bizimungu will be transferred shortly to the custody of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. The arrest was the result of close collaboration and information sharing among Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Tribunal, and the United States. Bizimungu was a key target of the U.S. Rewards for Justice program.
We urge all states in the region to follow the example of Angola and apprehend all persons indicted by the Tribunal who may be on their territory. Only through arrest of persons indicted by the Tribunal, as well as the disarmament, demobilization, and repatriation of other combatants, will peace and stability return to the region.
Released on August 13, 2002
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