22.04.10 - RWANDA/CANADA - CANADA ACKNOWLEDGES INACTION DURING 1994 RWANDAN GENOCIDE

Arusha, April 22, 2010 (FH) - Government of Canada Wednesday acknowledged its indifference and inaction of the international community shortly before and during the Rwandan 1994 genocide.

‘'Canada as part of the community acknowledges its fair share of responsibility. I think we could have made a difference. I think we could have prevented the magnitude of the horror that brought genocide here,'' Rwanda's pro-government New Times quoted Canadian Governor General, Michelle Jean.

The visiting Governor General made these comments when she met President Paul Kagame in Kigali on Wednesday.

‘'It is with a sense of utmost humility that I express the respect of Canada to all Rwandans who perished, suffered and continue to suffer the immeasurable loss of genocide,'' the article published on Thursday stated.

She regretted that Canada and other countries failed to respond adequately to the atrocities that were taking place in Rwanda, despite warnings from individuals like General Romeo Dallaire.

The Canadian General was by then the Commander of the United Nation Peace Keeping Mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR).

The remarks came at a time when the country is commemorating 16 years of genocide which left over 800,000 people dead in 100 days.

NI/SC/GF

© Hirondelle News Agency

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