Even without outside help, the Tutsi rebels' success was not that surprising, military analysts said.

Over the next three months more than a half-million people were killed before the Tutsi rebels gained control of the country.

In addition, the Tutsi rebels have more to lose than the Zairian soldiers, military analysts say.

The Tutsi rebels have refused all contact with the interim government, which they denounced as a "band of killers."

Tutsi rebels said they had advanced to within 10 miles of Kigali.

Battle deaths in fighting between the military and the Tutsi rebels have been relatively few in comparison.

Conversations here indicate that the ethnic Tutsi rebels are being viewed as invaders.

Almost simultaneously, the civil war between the Government and Tutsi rebels in the north resumed.

But the official, who declined to be identified, said the Tutsi rebels had to be convinced that a military solution was not possible.

The killings ended after a Government led by Tutsi rebels came to power in July 1994.