100 Days of Death: In Remembrance

[Solly Mack]

The Triumph of Evil
From frontline

April 6, 1994

Rwandan President Habyarimana and the Burundian President are killed when Habyarimana's plane is shot down near Kigali Airport. Hutu extremists, suspecting that the Rwandan president is finally about to implement the Arusha Peace Accords, are believed to be behind the attack. The killings begin that night.



April 7, 1994

The Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) and Hutu militia (the interahamwe) set up roadblocks and go from house to house killing Tutsis and moderate Hutu politicians. Thousands die on the first day. Some U.N. camps shelter civilians, but most of the U.N. peackeeping forces (UNAMIR--United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda) stand by while the slaughter goes on. They are forbidden to intervene, as this would breach their "monitoring" mandate.
On this day, ten Belgian soldiers with UNAMIR, assigned to guard the moderate Hutu Prime Minister, are tricked into giving up their weapons. They are tortured and murdered.

Also on this day, President Clinton issues a statement:


"... shocked and deeply saddened ... horrified that elements of the Rwandan security forces have sought out and murdered Rwandan officials ... extend my condolences ... condemn these actions and I call on all parties to cease any such actions immediately ..."



April 8, 1994


The Tutsi Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF) launches a major offensive to end the killings and rescue 600 of its troops surrounded in Kigali. The troops had been based in the city as part of the Arusha Accords.
President Clinton speaks to the press about Rwanda--


"... I mention it only because there are a sizable number of Americans there and it is a very tense situation. And I just want to assure the families of those who are there that we are doing everything we possible can to be on top of the situation to take all the appropriate steps to try to assure the safety of our citizens there."



Additional info:
Recalling Rwanda's Brutal '100 Days'
Rwanda: How the genocide happened
http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/opinion/story.html?id=5166b9d1-4c0d-4daf-b310-4fb50e1179d2">The stain of genocide is ever-present in Rwanda

[tblue]

1. Did you know Wes Clark tried desperately to get the US and or the UN to intervene, but

couldn't get the backing of the right people? Thank you for posting this. My heart breaks.

[Solly Mack]

2. Mine too