The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“RWANDA” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S4437 on April 20, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RWANDA
Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, while Congress was in recess, Rwanda commemorated the 15-year anniversary of the genocide. Fifteen years ago, a deliberate, centrally planned, and organized campaign of mass murder and rape was set in motion, which displaced millions and eventually took the lives of over 800,000 people. People were killed simply because of their ethnicity or political beliefs or an unwillingness to participate in the violence. The unspeakable acts of terror that ensued over those months in 1994 shocked the world, and yet the international community, including the United States, failed to act. The promises of ``never again'' rang hollow.
Fifteen years later, Rwandans have come a long way to repair their lives and rebuild their institutions. I am pleased that the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the Gacaca Courts continue to work to bring to justice those guilty of the most egregious crimes. Accountability is an essential step to promote healing for the survivors and to prevent a return to conflict in Rwanda. At the same time, I have been deeply moved that many survivors of this terror have been willing to forgive and live side by side with many of those who participated in it. Continuing to foster tolerance and openness, and ensure there is sufficient political space for dissent and discussion is critical to maintain future stability in Rwanda.
As a Washington Post editorial recently noted, while the current Rwanda government has made impressive ``accomplishments in righting its country and improving basic services it continues to be intolerant of criticism.'' According to the State Department's reports and those of non-governmental organizations, there is a worrying pattern of repression in Rwanda against political opponents and civil society. Over the long run, suppression and intimidation can undermine security rather than protect it, forcing healthy debates into illicit channels, and casting doubt on the legitimacy of the prevailing order. If this pattern continues, it could intensify Rwanda's ethnic and social tensions, and ultimately lead to future conflicts.
Rwanda has become a good friend and partner of the United States over the years, and our countries have worked together on many important joint initiatives. Most notably, they have become a leader on the African continent in responding to mass atrocities and contributing to peacekeeping operations. This is deeply inspiring given all that they have gone through, and we should continue to work with them to prevent future genocide and mass atrocity. However, we fail to be true friends to the people of Rwanda when we turn a blind eye to patterns of repression in their country, or fail to raise our voices in support of civil and political rights. As we remember those tragic events 15 years ago and commemorate those who perished, we should resolve to pay close attention to the present. The people of Rwanda deserve more than our regret; they deserve our support for their efforts to build a more just, more free and more secure future.
____________________
