STATEMENT

by

H.E. Paul KA GAME

President of the Republic of Rwanda

At The United Nations Millennium Summit

New York-, September 6, 2000

Your Excellencies, Co-Chairpersons of the Millennium Summit,

Your Excellency, Secretary General KOFFI Annan,

Distinguished Heads of States and Governments:

It is of great honour that I stand before this September Assembly, on behalf of the Rwandan people. Permit me, Excellencies, to make a few remarks.

With regards to the character of the UN in the 21" Century, we share the general view that this noble institution is in need of renewal and reform, to enable it to enjoy wider legitimacy. In carrying out this task, equal weight and urgency should be given to reforming other principal institutions, including Bretton Woods Institutions. The UN system and these institutions are now faced with a far more complex social, economic and political environment than was the case more than fifty years ago when they were founded.

Co-Chairpersons,

In Rwanda's view, however, it is the issue of threats to peace that require most urgent attention. It is apparent that we are less threatened by world wars but confronted by regional and localised conflicts and tensions. We need therefore to pose a question in this regard: Why have preventive and peace-keeping efforts been less than successful over the past decade? Many reasons have been put forward, including for example, lack of political will, ill-defined mandates, lack of means, and so on.

These reasons may all be valid, but I want to add one more factor. That is, each conflict is unique in its history, and in its sociology, something that does not often receive the attention it deserves. Nothing short of objective understanding of each conflict and its nature would contribute to its management and eventual resolution. If the case of Rwanda may be cited, the additional shortcoming is the inability or unwillingness to assist countries in the postconflict situations. International agencies seem more effective in reacting to humanitarian crises, but are wholly inadequate in assisting affected countries in the aftermath of conflicts. Yet, equally difficult challenges lie in the post-crisis phases, particularly in terms of economic and social reconstruction processes to permit sustainable development, thus preventing further cycles of violence.

Co- Chairpersons,

Permit me to now make few remarks on the relationship of the UN and my country. Until its independence, Rwanda was administered as a United Nations Trusteeship. The UN has since been, more or less, associated with major political events in my country. As has been widely commented, the 1994 genocide in Rwanda must go down as one of the darkest hours in the over 50 years history of the United Nations.

It was in the aftermath of this event that the International Tribunal for Rwanda was created, and we support it in its commendable undertakings. Other developments in this regard have taken place. Let me take the opportunity to thank Secretary General Koffi Annan for commissioning a report on what happened in Rwanda in 1994. 1 congratulate the Committee that undertook this assignment, led by former Premier of Sweden, Mr Ingvar Carlson. Submitted and discussed by the Security Council on April 14

th

2000, this painstaking report, which speaks for itself, is clear in identifying responsibilities, and ways and means of assisting Rwanda in its reconstruction programs. Let me take this opportunity also to pay tribute to the OAU Committee of Eminent Personalities, under the leadership of President Masire, who arrived at similar conclusions as the Carlson Committee.

Co-Chairpersons,

The people of Rwanda, have been, since 1994, sought to rebuild their society under most difficult and challenging conditions. My Government is doing its best to address these. But the task is not an easy one. We have made progress, thanks to Rwandan people and our partnership with bilateral and multilateral international agencies. Both the Carlson and OAU reports have recommended to their respective institutions how to render effective this partnership. We look forward to the implementation of these recommendations, and Rwanda will continue to play its part.

I thank you.