RDR would like to express its deep indignation and regret over irresponsible declarations to say the least made by the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr GASANA Anastase, in which he rejected any idea of dialogue with RDR, accusing it of being an emanation of MRND Party and labelling members of RDR as fascists and nazi.

Nevertheless, these declarations have a positive side, in as far as they show clearly the real personality of the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and the quality of the policy that the Kigali Government defends through him.

Mr GASANA Anastase was advisor to the chairman of MRND Party, the late HABYARIMANA Juvenal, even under the multi party system, and left the Party to join the opposition party MDR which he believed would win elections.

Today, realising that real power lies with the RPF Army, he has become the greatest defender of the militarist policy of RPF, forcing the MDR Party which he is supposed to represent, to suspend him.

Furthermore, instead of reacting to the principles and objectives of RDR and speak of conditions which would make it possible for the 3 millions refugees to enjoy their inalienable right to return home, Mr GASANA Anastase indulges in superficial issues that RDR is an emanation of MRND.

RDR would like to challenge Mr GASANA and his government to prove that RDR is an emanation of MRND Party and to clarify what his government intends to do for the real or alleged supporters of MRND who are in exile and have a right to Rwanda like GASANA. Besides, if being a member of MRND Party is enough to make one a fascist or a nazi, Minister GASANA Anastase, could have a case to answer.

The declaration of Mr GASANA, which comes after his Government had made a statement, declaring that it was ready to "negotiate with anybody who so wishes" provided he is not accused of genocide, demonstrates deep divisions within the government or shows purely and simply lack of political honesty.

It is strange that theMinister of Foreign Affairs of the present government in Kigali which justified its seizure of power by force of arms by the refusal of the MRND government to enter into dialogue with the then 500,000 refugees declares today that it cannot enter into dialogue and negotiations with 3 million refugees.

RDR would like to appeal to the International Community and to donors to put pressure on the Kigali Government so as to bring it to accept negotiation with refugees. Both sides would discuss conditions of return of refugees without humiliation, and in security and of a system of government capable of restoring durable peace to Rwanda.

NZABANDORA Chris

Director of Information