AV/920

Access Restrictions:

RESTRICTED: Original audiovisual materials are closed to use. Use of these materials may require production of listening or viewing copies. Please contact Research Services before coming to use this collection.

:

More about accessing and using these materials...

Containers:

Box 120, Audio-cassette RW074B

Extent:

Sony HF 60

Scope and content:

1. Air Date: 1994 Apr. 17
2. Producer: RTLM and Radio Rwanda
3. Original Language: Kinyarwanda, French
4. Continuing the discussion that ends side A, Ngirumpatse (1) suggests that the Belgians collaborated in the President's assassination, (2) asserts Belgians were seen fighting on the side of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and firing at Rwandan soldiers and (3) concludes that the Belgians and UNAMIR bear "responsibility" for the "disaster."
5. In response, Mukarutamu says it is "curious that Belgium gets bogged down every time there are problems between Hutus and Tutsis."
6. Murego explains that the UN is "responsible" for the situation in Rwanda because (1) it favored the RPF, (2) allowed the RPF to commit assassinations, (3) was insensitive to the rights of "the Rwandan people."
7. Murego goes on to suggest that (1) the Belgians act as though they wish "to conquer the country again, (2) that though they may soon leave, this does not "cancel the judgment" made upon them, (3) that some Belgians have decided to side "with the RPF to harm Rwanda and the Rwandans," (4) that some of these Belgians might have been killed in a fire fight. Murego concludes by saying that "Rwanda became an independent country that nobody can invade."
8. Responding to a further question about the role of the Belgians, Ngirumpatse suggests (1) that Belgians think of Rwandans as exceedingly polite and try to take advantage of this, (2) that some Rwandan political parties tried to strengthen Belgium's influence in Rwanda, (3) that if Rwandan's aren't more careful people will confuse their "docility" with a lack of self-determination, (4) and that submitting to the RPF "hands and feet tied" will bring not bring prosperity to Rwandans. Ngirumpatse concludes by suggesting that Rwandans should be more like the Roman emperor who understood that it was better to be feared than liked.
9. Next, in an exchange with Mukarutama, Ngirumpatse discusses Ugandan reaction to the current events, charging that Museveni (1) helped the RPF wreak havoc in Kigali and elsewhere, (2) and that he did not respect or understand that Rwandan people had killed because of anger over their President's assassination. Ngirumpatse also criticized the hypocrisy of the international community because it does not condemn the human rights violations perpetrated in Uganda. Finally, Ngirumpatse predicts that before too long Museveni will have Rwanda type "problem."
10. Dr. Murego ends the "debate" by highlighting its main points: (1) that the "Rwandan people's . . . fierce defense" demonstrates a refusal to "any longer be unconditionally docile" and a desire "to be in control of their own destiny," (2) that a new step is being taken to complete the Revolution of 1959, wherein the Rwandan people are not liberating themselves from "bad physical leadership" but from those related "to the family or ethnicity of those leaders," (3) that the latter signals a "mental revolution" because it shows that the Rwandan people "will never stand anymore to be anyone's slaves," (4) that this revolution will ensure that the "docility" (this word is often repeated) attributed to the Rwandan people will never again be used to humiliate them and deprive them of their rights, (5) that this is a way of saying "'no' to any dictatorial" intentions of the enemy.
11. Mukarutamu ends the broadcast by thanking her guests and calling on the Rwandan people to "control their destiny…defend their right to dignity . . . [and to be] vigilant and intelligent."
12. Transmission identity needs to be confirmed
13. In the second half of this round table discussion hosted by Agensta Mukarutama featuring Murego, Ngirumpatse, Nsengiyumva, and Mugenzi, the participants focus on the Belgians and their "responsibility" for the "disaster" taking place in Rwanda. They are accused of collaborating with the RPF and its murder or Habyarimana and taking advantage of the "docility" of the Rwandan people. The Rwandan people are in turn praised for their "fierce defense" which ensures that they will "never again" be enslaved as they were before the Revolution of 1959.

Using These Materials