When the world ignored Genocide… Name: ______
A country the size of Belgium, with a population of 7 million people, Rwanda experienced in 1994 one of the worst genocides of the twentieth century. Some 800,000 people, mostly but not exclusively Tutsis, were slaughtered by the Hutu-run state. Contrary to media and many government reports, the genocide... involved such monetary factors as its colonial history, the price of coffee, World Bank and International Monetary Fund policies, the global interests of Western nations, particularly France, the interests of international aid agencies, and Western attitudes towards Africa (Shalom 1996).
SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL /
1. Were the UN troops in Rwanda for "peace-keeping" or "peace-making"?
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2. When Dallaire is informed about the weapons caches of the Hutu extremists (accumulated to attack Tutsis in the capital city, Kigali), and he plans to have his troops confiscated them, the United Nations sends him commands: What were their orders?
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3. Hutu military, and militia groups, the Interamwe, begin killing once the President is killed in the plane crash. What is the order of the UN in response to the reports? ______
4. Prime Minister Agathe's residence was protected by UN peacekeepers, but because they were not allowed to defend themselves, she was attacked. Even though she was Hutu, why was she targeted? ______
5. Colonel Bagosora was clearly directing the Rwandan (Hutu) military - what does his attitude toward the UNAMIR mission appear to be? ______
6. Why would the Belgian UN soldiers, in particular, have been targeted by the Hutu extremists?
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7. Why do large groups of Tutsis and moderate Hutus flock to the encampments of UN troops?
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8. Belgium decided to withdraw its peace keeping force from Rwanda in the middle of the genocide. They then court marshaled the Belgian commander under Dallaire for the loss of the Belgian men. What seems unfair about this? ______
9. General Bagosora does not seem upset that UNAMIR may have to withdraw if a cease fire is not signed by the deadline. Why do you suppose this is his reaction? ______
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10. Romeo Dallaire refuses to accept a direct UN order - what is the order and why does he disobey?
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11. A minimal volunteer force is all that is left - what do they hope to achieve?
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12. The reporting team is about to leave Kigali to report on the conflict in Yugoslavia - why?
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13. Dallaire is desperate for the journalists to stay in Kigali - why does he want them around?
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14. How pivotal were the Interamwe in the transfer of civilians? What does Dallaire have to do to get their cooperation, and how did he feel about that?
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15. The French decide to send in troops - according to Dallaire, what is their motive?
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16. How was Dallaire changed by this experience?
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Epilogue:
When the world abandoned Rwanda, 454 UN Peacekeepers from over 20 nations chose to stay behind. Under General Dallaire's command, they helped save 32,000 Rwandans who would otherwise have been murdered.
Romeo Dallaire was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 2005 and now works tirelessly as an advocate against the use of child soldiers and for the prevention of genocide. He has since retired from his Senate role.
This film is dedicated to all victims of genocide, to the Peacekeepers and to those who protect the innocent.
Paul Kagame now leads a government that is rebuilding Rwanda in a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation. Although there are many concerns about attacks by Hutu militants and abuses by the Rwandan government itself. All scenes in Rwanda were filmed on their actual location.