71.   Tutsi refugees from eastern Zaire said here Tuesday they had been forced from their homes by Zairean troops and their menfolk killed.

72.   They said there were persistant accounts that Zairean troops had laid minefields along the border with Rwanda.

73.   Thirsty, hungry and exhausted, the refugees fled their camps in the Uvira region in eastern Zaire where Zairean troops are battling rebel Tutsis known as Banyamulenge.

74.   Uganda has denied accusations by neighbouring Zaire that it is involved in heavy fighting between Zairean troops and rebel Tutsis in eastern Zaire.

75.   Western sources said they had seen mercenaries with the Zairean troops and reported that the counter-offensive by government soldiers involved light armoured vehicles of Yugoslav manufacture.

76.   Tutsi rebels are in firm control of the eastern Zaire town of Bukavu which they entered on Wednesday as Zairean troops pulled out, an AFP photographer reported Friday.

77.   Zaire has accused Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi of backing the Tutsi rebels who are engaged in fighting with Zairean troops in eastern Zaire.

78.   Zairean troops had also driven the rebel forces of Laurent-Desire Kabila out of Watsa, the ministry said.

79.   Zairean troops had largely withdrawn, leaving most of the centre of the Zairean regional capital to marauding Tutsi rebels and Rwandan soldiers.

80.   Zairean troops have arrested and jailed several missionary workers after raiding religious organisations, the German arm of the Caritas charitable organisation said Monday.