Dr. Yates discusses France's diplomacy about Rwanda in France 24 debate |
Saturday, 27 February 2010 |
Professor Yates spoke on France 24 television on February 25 in a debate about President Sarkozy's diplomatic gestures to the Rwandan regime during a visit to Kigali. Criticisms of Sarkozy's admission that "mistakes were made" was not enough, and that France needs to make an "apology" for its complicity in the attempted genocide of 1994, raised questions about the implications of France in that tragic event. Dr. Yates outlined the three main accusations of French complicity: tactical and strategic support for the Hutu regime in 1990-1991, its evacuation of member of the Habyarimana regime in 1994, and its creation of a corridor through which the genocidaires escapes into Zaire (Democratic Republic of Congo) in 1994. While reconciliation has occured, Yates argued, it would be wrong to believe that the risk of another attempted genocide is gone. The structural preconditions of the genocide, such as overpopulation, and the failure of democratic institutions to return the Hutu majority to power, continue to pose risks of a fourth attempted genocide (after 1959, 1963 and 1994). View France 24 show: The Debate: France and Rwanda: A New Start? |
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Ryan MillsUnited States From current issues in the Middle East taught together by an Iranian historian and an Israelli journalist, to NGO management taught by the director of Human Rights Watch in France, every class was fascinating and taught by some of the most impressive people I could ever have imagined. I immediately felt at home in this small but active AGS community because, although students and professors are all from different parts of the world, everyone takes the time to understand each other's perspective. Overall, I would recommend AGS to anyone with a thirst for intellectual stimulation and a drive to not only understand the world of international relations, but engage in it.. |