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France Shielding From Genocide Crimes - Govt

The New Times (Kigali)
NEWS
November 22, 2006
Posted to the web November 22, 2006

By Robert Mukombozi & Eleneus Akanga
Kigali
The Government has dismissed claims by a French magistrate claiming that the
Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), was behind the attack in which former President
Juvenal Habyarimana died in April 1994.
Subsequently, the Minister of Justice, Tharcisse Karugarama described the
French magistrate's call for the trial of RPF officials as a political subject,
devoid of locus standi. "It is totally strange and very absurd that a foreign
judge can issue an indictment against people here as if we don't have a justice
system in our country," Karugarama said and explained that it is unheard of for
a foreign judge to indict leaders in another country, accusing them of having a
crime in their own country.
"We think this is harassment and intimidation of some sort," Karugarama said by
phone yesterday, while reacting to the Habyarimana death claims made Monday by
the French magistrate, Jean-Louis Bruguière. He added that if they had a case
they should have used diplomatic channels.
He observed that France's move could be an attempt to pre-empt the findings of
the ongoing Commission of Inquiry into the European country's involvement in
the Genocide. The commission, commonly known as the 'Mucyo Commission' began
its public hearing in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, last month and so far, all
those who have testified are accusing the French of complicity in the Genocide
in which over one million Rwandans were killed in just 90 days. "The government
is ready to put up legal defence until the truth comes out," Karugarama said.
Full government statement
The attention of Rwanda Government has been drawn to the fact that the French
Magistarate Jean Louis Bruguière is about to issue indictments against senior
Rwandan government military officers under the allegations that they shot down
former President Habyarimana's plane leading to the death of 3 French citizens.
Government would like to make it categorically clear that there is no basis
whatsoever to these allegations. It appears to government that this is an
attempt to intimidate Rwanda using strong arm tactics and to use the superpower
position to hide the truth of France's involvement in the Genocide. It also is
an unfortunate attempt to pre-empt the findings of a Commission set up in
Rwanda to investigate the role of France in the 1994 Rwanda Genocide.
This is not the first time that some in French official circles have designed a
plan to hide their known responsibility in the genocide of 1994. Under the
guise of judicial independence, Magistrate Bruguière working together with
other French organs of the state have organized genocide denials and
revisionists and have provided them a platform for their political agenda and
propaganda.
It is well known that France actively supported the Genocide and armed and
fought along side the forces that committed genocide in Rwanda. When they faced
imminent defeat she intervened through Operation Turquoise to save them from
total defeat and to preserve them so they can fight another day. There are
strong indications that some in the French official circles were involved in
the military and political reorganization of these genocidal forces.
Rwanda is owed an explanation as to what the French citizens who perished in
Habyarimana's plane were doing in Rwanda in company of the planners and authors
of the Genocide, given the fact these were French military officers on a
mission to Rwanda during the planning and execution phase of the Genocide.
Government believes that France's role needs to be fully investigated and fully
exposed. This is why it set up the commission to investigate the role of France
in these events. The work of this Commission is expected to clarify the role of
individuals in the French establishment played, and whether their activities
are criminally indictable. Understandably, such a prospect has made many in
certain French circles extremely worried.
Judge Bruguière's reported attempt to indict the Rwandan officials is aimed at
diverting international opinion from the emerging clarity about the role of
France. Moreover it is unprecedented in the history of judicial proceedings for
investigation, indictment and all processes to be carried out and concluded
outside of the country where the crime is alleged to have been committed.
It is absurd that a foreign judge could issue an indictment against officials
of a sovereign state for crimes committed on the soil of that sovereign state
without going through either diplomatic channels or judicial institutions of
that sovereign state. This political game and drama in judicial matters is a
dangerous path and is inimical to international law and order. Those involved
are advised to desist from it.


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