After the failed peacekeeping mission in Somalia in 1993, the US vowed to not be involved in anymore missions they did not understand.
US documents prove that the Clinton Government did know about the Rwandan genocide despite their claims that they did not.
Bill Clinton and US Ambassador Madeleine Albright were two major figures who refused to take action, and they later apologised after the genocide for not acting earlier. Clinton has attempted to repair damage through a foundation called 'The Clinton Foundation', yet it still does not cover for the pain/suffering in Rwanda.
Clinton spoke in Kigali 1998, to apologise for not immediately calling the genocide a genocide. However many believe that he was just demonising his responsibilities.
"It may seem strange to you here, especially the many of you who lost members of your family, but all over the world there were people like me sitting in offices, day after day after day, who did not fully appreciate the depth and speed with which you were being engulfed by this unimaginable terror."
Many believe that the US should have supported the Rwandan Patriotic Front with arms and resources. This would have significantly helped the RPF overthrow the Hutu militant ruling.
Spokeswomen Christine Shelly, partnered with the State Deparement, during an interview on June 10th 1994 spoke to correspondent Alan Elsner. This was broadcasted all over Rwanda by the Hutus to show the Tutsis that nobody was coming to help them
Elsner: How would you describe the events taking place in Rwanda?
Shelly: Based on the evidence we have seen from observations on the ground,we have every reason to believe that acts of genocide have occurred in Rwanda.
Elsner: What’s the difference between “acts of genocide” and “genocide”?
Shelly: Well, I think the—as you know, there’s a legal definition of this …clearly not all of the killings that have taken place in Rwanda are killings to which you might apply that label … But as to the distinctions between thewords, we’re trying to call what we have so far as best as we can; and based,again, on the evidence, we have every reason to believe that acts of genocidehave occurred
.Elsner: How many acts of genocide does it take to make genocide?
Shelly: Alan, that’s just not a question that I’m in a position to answer.
US documents prove that the Clinton Government did know about the Rwandan genocide despite their claims that they did not.
Bill Clinton and US Ambassador Madeleine Albright were two major figures who refused to take action, and they later apologised after the genocide for not acting earlier. Clinton has attempted to repair damage through a foundation called 'The Clinton Foundation', yet it still does not cover for the pain/suffering in Rwanda.
Clinton spoke in Kigali 1998, to apologise for not immediately calling the genocide a genocide. However many believe that he was just demonising his responsibilities.
"It may seem strange to you here, especially the many of you who lost members of your family, but all over the world there were people like me sitting in offices, day after day after day, who did not fully appreciate the depth and speed with which you were being engulfed by this unimaginable terror."
Many believe that the US should have supported the Rwandan Patriotic Front with arms and resources. This would have significantly helped the RPF overthrow the Hutu militant ruling.
Spokeswomen Christine Shelly, partnered with the State Deparement, during an interview on June 10th 1994 spoke to correspondent Alan Elsner. This was broadcasted all over Rwanda by the Hutus to show the Tutsis that nobody was coming to help them
Elsner: How would you describe the events taking place in Rwanda?
Shelly: Based on the evidence we have seen from observations on the ground,we have every reason to believe that acts of genocide have occurred in Rwanda.
Elsner: What’s the difference between “acts of genocide” and “genocide”?
Shelly: Well, I think the—as you know, there’s a legal definition of this …clearly not all of the killings that have taken place in Rwanda are killings to which you might apply that label … But as to the distinctions between thewords, we’re trying to call what we have so far as best as we can; and based,again, on the evidence, we have every reason to believe that acts of genocidehave occurred
.Elsner: How many acts of genocide does it take to make genocide?
Shelly: Alan, that’s just not a question that I’m in a position to answer.