Citation
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE ON RWANDA
The people of the United States are shocked and appalled
by the horrors of civil war and the mass killings of
civilians which have taken place in Rwanda since the
tragic deaths of Rwandan President Habyarimana and
Burundian President Ntaryamira on April 6.
The Government of Rwanda and military leaders must make it
clear to every Rwandan that attacks on-civilians are
unacceptable and will not be tolerated. All responsible
officials and military officers are obligated to bring
offending troops and units under control immediately. We
call personally on the leadership of the Rwandan Armed
Forces and the Rwandan Patriotic Front to do everything in
their power to end the violence immediately.
At the same time, we strongly urge the Government and the
Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) to agree to an immediate
cease-fire and a return to negotiations on implementing
the Arusha Peace Accord.
We call on all parties to guarantee the protection of
displaced persons and refugees inside Rwanda, to allow
those seeking refuge outside Rwanda to cross the borders,
and to assure safe passage for all humanitarian assistance.
We applaud the efforts of the Organization of African
Unity (OAU) and of regional leaders who are actively
engaged in the search for peace.
We reaffirm the American commitment to participate, as in
the past, in renewed negotiations in the context of the
Arusha Agreement of August 4, 1993. The principles of a
negotiated agreement and power-sharing in that agreement
remain the best hope for a return to peace in Rwanda.
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May 5, 1994
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: CHARLES L. DARIS
DATE/CASE ID: 21 APR 2003 200201521
24-q1 -020014 )3
UNCLASSIFIED
