Rwanda cargo planes remain banned in European airspace

Kigali: Silverback Cargo Freighters from Rwanda will continue not to be allowed in the airspace of the European Union for air safety reasons, the European Commission announced Tuesday.

In the updated list released Tuesday of carries banned from European airspace, the EC said all planes of Silverback Cargo Freighters are not permitted there. Silverback deals with only cargo and was first put on the list last year.

"We cannot afford to compromise on air safety," said Siim Kallas, the commission's vice president, in a statement Tuesday.




Silveback is not allowed in Europe

In April, the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) angrily criticized the European Commission’s safety ban. AFRAA claimed the blacklist at the time, which effectively excludes 111 African airlines from European Union airspace, is protectionist.

In a strongly worded statement, AFRAA secretary general Nick Fadugba said: “The ulitimate beneficiaries of the ban are European airlines which dominate the African skies to the disadvantage of African carriers. If any list is to be published, it should be done by ICAO, the global regulator of aviation safety, which has a known track record of impartiality.”

Two other carriers that are banned from operating in the European Union: Ariana Afghan Airlines from Afghanistan and Siem reap Airways International from Cambodia.

On the new blacklist for Tuesday, the European Commission expanded restrictions on Iran Air's operations by banning more types of aircraft. The commission banned Iran Air from flying its fleet of Airbus A-320 and of Boeing B-727 and B-747 planes into European airports.

The EC said it would continue to monitor Iran Air and work with the airline to improve standards.

All carriers from 17 countries -- 278 companies in total -- are also banned: Angola, Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon (except three carriers with restrictions), Indonesia (except six carriers from which the restrictions have been fully removed), Kazakhstan (except one restricted carrier), Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Philippines, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, Swaziland and Zambia.

François Mitterrand's role in Tutsi Genocide revealed

Wednesday, 07 July 2010 11:19 by RNA Reporter



Paris: The former French president François Mitterrand supported the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi despite clear warnings that mass killings of the Tutsi population were being orchestrated, according to declassified French documents.

The publication of the documents in Le Monde newspaper of Saturday for the first time confirms long-held suspicions against France. The previously secret diplomatic telegrams and government memos also suggest the late French president was obsessed with the danger of "Anglo-Saxon" influence gripping Rwanda.

In three months from April 1994, at least a million Rwandans - mainly Tutsis - were systematically slaughtered in killings engineered by the Hutu regime to exterminate its ethnic rivals and repel the Uganda-trained Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).

The documents, obtained by lawyers for six Tutsi survivors who are bringing a case against France for "complicity with genocide'' at the Paris Army Tribunal, suggest the late President Mitterrand's support for the Hutus was informed by an obsession with maintaining a French foothold in the region.

One of the lawyers, Antoine Compte, said France was aware of the potential danger of its support for the pre-genocide Rwandan government. "Massacres on an ethnic basis were going on and we have evidence that France knew this from at least January 1993. The French military executed the orders of French politicians. The motivation was an obsession with the idea of an Anglo-Saxon plot to oust France from the region."

Mr Compte said the file of diplomatic messages and initialled presidential memos, obtained from the François Mitterrand Foundation, provided evidence that the French military in Rwanda were under direct instruction from the Elysée Palace. The lawyer yesterday called on the investigating judge at the Paris Army Tribunal to interview senior French political figures, including military figures, diplomats, the former defence minister, Pierre Joxe and former prime minister, Alain Juppé.

"It emerges quite clearly from the documents that diplomats, the French secret services, military figures and Mr Joxe wanted France to disengage from Rwanda, or at least to act differently. But the president was obsessed,'' said Mr Compte.

Among the evidence to suggest France was informed of the mounting genocide is a diplomatic telegram from October 1990 in which the French defence attaché in the Rwandan capital Kigali alerts Paris of the "growing number of arbitrary arrests of Tutsis or people close to them". The cable adds: "It is to be feared that [it could] degenerate into an ethnic war.''

Another diplomatic memo, sent by French ambassador Georges Martres on 19 January 1993, quotes a Rwandan informant as saying that the president of the country, Juvenal Habyarimana, had suggested "proceeding with a systematic genocide using, if necessary, the army''.

Habyarimana was killed on 6 April 1994 - the date that marks the start of the genocide - when his plane was shot down over Kigali.

Even though Rwanda was Belgian for most of the colonial era, France took a strong interest in the country after independence, seeing it as a bulwark against the powerful influences of English-speaking Uganda and Kenya.

In the 1980s, French involvement in Rwanda was limited to two dozen military advisers. But when the Uganda-based RPF began launching attacks against President Habyarimana's regime in 1990, France sent arms and troops. Critics claim French troops stood by and watched as ethnic extremist soldiers massacred Tutsi civilians.

France claims its military involvement was aimed at aiding Hutu-Tutsi power-sharing. Last year, a French investigating magistrate, Jean-Louis Bruguière alleged the RPF shot down Habyarimana's aircraft and issued arrest warrants against nine high-ranking officials in the current Rwandan government.

With additional reporting from The Independent

LE PROCES DE NTAGANDA BERNARD OUVERT AU TRIBUNAL DE GRANDE INSTANCE DE NYARUGENGE

Le Tribunal de grande Instance de NYARUGENGE a ouvert ce mardi le procès de Bernard NTAGANDA du parti PS IMBERAKURI et ses 9 coaccusés. Ils sont tous poursuivis pour avoir porté atteinte à l’ordre et la sécurité publics.
Bernard NTAGANDA de la formation politique et ses 9 compagnons ont été arrêtés le 24 juin dernier alors qu’ils étaient à la tête de manifestations non autorisées et dont l’objectif était de crier au secours et de montrer à la communauté internationale qu’il n’y a pas de démocratie au Rwanda, et de blâmer les élections présidentielles prévues en août prochain.
Bernard NTAGANDA est accusé de quatre crimes dont la formation d’un groupe de malfaiteurs, de porter atteint à la stabilité nationale, de conspiration entre le parti PS IMBERAKURI et d’autres partis non reconnus au Rwanda en l’occurrence FDU INKINGI de Victoire INGABIRE et Green Party de Frank HABINEZA.
Bernard NTAGANDA est en outre accusé de langage agressif, accusant par exemple les juridictions Gacaca de jungle d’extrémistes fondant leur jugement sur la morphologie physique de l’accusé. Parlant des élections, il a affirmé que sa victoire est « cash » mais que son échec sera « catch » pour dire que son échec entrainerait une guerre.
Bernard NTAGANDA a plaidé non coupable de toutes ces charges qui pèsent sur lui .Il avait auparavant clamé que le Tribunal de Grande Instance de NYARUGENGE n’était pas compétente pour mener son procès, lui qui est politicien, mais que son affaire concernait plutôt la Haute Cour de la République mais là encore sur la demande du Senat.
Il lui a été signifié qu’hormis les 5 premières grandes autorités du pays tous les autres comparaissent devant les juridictions ordinaires
Ce procès a été ajourné pour se poursuivre ce mercredI.

Emmanuel Mungwarakarama

Abanyamakuru barasabwa kubanza kwiyumva nk'abanyarwanda mbere yuko biyumva nk'abanyamakuru

Abanyamakuru bo mu Rwanda barasabwa by’umwihariko kubanza kwiyumva nk’abanyarwanda bagamije kubaka igihugu mbere y'uko biyumva nk’abanyamakuru bakorera inyungu z’igitangazamakuru runaka, birinda kubogama mu kazi kabo, bagafasha umuturage gusobanukirwa no gusesengura gahunda zizatangwa n’abakandida prezida batandukanye mu bihe by’amatora y’umukuru w’igihugu ateganyijwe muri Kanama muri uyu mwaka.
Ubu ni bumwe mu butumwa bwatanzwe n’abayobozi bahagarariye inzego zitandukanye z’itangazamakuru nk’ikigo cy’igihugu cy’itangazamakuru ORINFOR, inama nkuru y’itangazamakuru, HCM na ministere y’itangazamakuru MININFOR, mu kiganiro cyatambutse kuri uyu wa 2 kuri Radio na televiziyo by’igihugu ku bijyanye n’ubwisanzure bw’itangazamakuru nyuma y’imyaka 16 ishize abanyarwanda bibohoye ubutegetsi bw’igitugu n’ivanguramoko ndetse no ku bijyanye n’uruhare rw’itangazamakuru.
Abatumirwa bari bahagarariye izo nzego z’itangazamakuru barimo Ignatius Kabagambe, Willy Rukundo na Patrice Mulama. Aba bayobozi bagarutse ku mateka yaranze umwuga w’itangazamakuru muri iyi myaka 16 ishize, aho bagaragaje ko hari byinshi byakozwe mu kuvugurura no guteza imbere uyu mwuga, birimo nk’ishyirwaho rya radio z’abaturage zikorera mu ntara ariko zishamikiye kuri Radio rwanda, radio z’ubucuruzi n’iz’abihayimana. Hashyizweho kandi amategeko n’amahame agenga umwuga w’itangazamakuru mu Rwanda, ndetse n’amashuri makuru yihariye yigisha uyu mwuga, akanahugura abanyamakuru, hamwe n’ikoreshwa ry’ikoranabuhanga mu itangazamakuru mu gufata no gusakaza amajwi n’amashusho, hifashishijwe internet, telephone, n’ibindi bikoresho.
Indi ngingo yaganiriweho n’ijyanye n’uburyo itangazamakuru mu Rwanda rikwiye kwitwara muri ibi bihe twitegura amatora y’umukuru w’igihugu. Umunyamabanga nshingwabikorwa w’inama nkuru y’itangazamakuru Patrice Mulama yavuze ko umunyamakuru akwiye gukurikiza indangagaciro zo kuvugisha ukuri, kumenya sosiyete arimo akorera, ibyifuzo byayo n’akamaro k’ibyo abagezaho ndetse no kudatega ibihembo ku kazi akora kuko ariho hava ruswa no kubogama.
Abaturage bakurikiranye iki kiganiro, bahawe umwanya babaza ibibazo. Hari nk’uwabajije niba hari ibihano biteganyijwe itangazamakuru ryigenga rizakira abanyapolitike basebanya mu gihe cyo kwiyamamaza mu matora twimirije imbere. Aha Patrice Mulama yavuze ko ari inshingano z’abayobozi b’ibitangazamakuru kubanza kumenyesha abanyapolitike ibyo amategeko abahera uburenganzira n’ibyo ababuza.
Hari n’undi muturage wabajije niba bishoboka ko itangazamakuru ryo mu Rwanda ritegura ibiganiro mpaka hagati y’abakandida b’imitwe ya politike itandukanye mu gihe bicaranye ku meza amwe. Kuri iki kibazo, Patrice Mulama yavuze ko hashingiwe ku mategeko agenga itangazamakuru mu Rwanda ngo ibi biganiro mpaka biremewe, ariko ibi biva ngo ku bakandida ubwabo, basaba igitangazamakuru runaka nacyo kibifitiye ubushobozi, ko cyabategurira gahunda y’ibiganiro mpaka.
Umuyobozi mukuru muri Ministere y’itangazamakuru Ignatius Kabagambe nawe yashimangiye ko ibiganiro mpaka nkibi, bitegurwa bishingiye ku bwumvikane hagati y’abakandida n’imitwe ya politike ndetse bikaba n’umwanya wo kugaragariza abaturage bazabatora imigabo n’imigambi bafitiye igihugu.
Ku ruhande rwa ORINFOR, umuyobozi w’icyo kigo Willy Rukundo yavuze ko hashingiwe ku bumenyi n’amahugurwa yahawe abanyamakuru ku bijyanye n’igikorwa cy’amatora, ngo hari uburyo iki kigo giteganya guteguramo ibiganiro nkibi. Willy Rukundo yasobanuye ko ibiganiro mpaka bizajya bitegurwa hagati y’umukandida umwe n’umunyamakuru ufite ubushobozi n’ubuhanga bwo gusesengura manifesto bityo ashobore kubaza ibibazo wa muturage uzatora yakabaye yibariza uwo mukandida.
Aba batumirwa basoje iki kiganiro, basaba abanyamakuru kubanza kwiyumva nk’abanyarwanda bagamije kubaka igihugu mbere yuko biyumva nk’abanyamakuru bakorera inyungu z’igitangazamakuru runaka, basaba n’abaturage kudatinya umunyamakuru ahubwo bakamufata nk’umuyoboro banyuzamo ibibazo bakanaboneramo ibisubizo.

Civilian - military partnership vital for development - Kagame

MUHANGA - President Paul Kagame, has applauded the collaboration between the army and other citizens in various socio-economic activities that have boosted the welfare of the Rwandan people.

Kagame, made the remarks, yesterday, after inspecting works carried out by the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) in Muhanga District, during the ongoing Army Week.



While addressing thousands of excited residents of Muhanga, the President said that the army would not have succeeded in carrying out the work, had it not been for the good partnership with the people.

He reminded the residents that soldiers are their children, relatives, parents and friends, adding that being soldiers does not place them out of the community.

The President pointed out that it should not come as a surprise for the army to partner with the communities, since it’s their obligation to work for Rwandans.

He stressed that the military should go beyond its primary mission and use the professional skills of its members to contribute to national development.

Kagame underscored the need for sustainable development in the country, and reminded the citizens that, one of the ways of realizing development is by embracing partnerships and having a clear understanding of the policies in place.

The President added that the Rwandan people should be fed-up with living in poverty, famine and illiteracy. He pointed out that Rwanda has been getting aid for many years, and wondered why they continued to live in poverty, if aid worked.

President Kagame noted that Rwandans have now realized that their role in development is critically important for their welfare.

He observed that partnership and self confidence is equally a vital path to development.

The President told Muhanga residents that Rwandans are increasingly acquiring life skills that are helping them achieve development and better standards of living.

President Kagame emphasized that Rwanda will not fail to achieve what is good for its people, adding that Rwandans cannot allow anybody to destroy what they have already realized.

Prior to his meeting with residents of Muhanga, the President was taken through RDF community outreach programmes, at Kabgayi Hospital, where hundreds have been treated during the Army Week. Patients at the hospital gave various testimonies of how the army’s medical activities have changed their lives.

Venancia Singirankabo, who has been blind for the past ten years could not hold her excitement on seeing President Kagame for the first time.

“I want to thank you for having sent us the army to help us; I personally had no hope of opening my eyes. Thank you for rescuing me,” Singirankabo told the President.

Residents hailed President Kagame for his good leadership and for transforming the Rwandan society for the better.

The Governor of the Southern Province, Fidèle Ndayisaba, informed the President that the army week activities have played a significant role in eliminating grass thatched houses, which have been a major problem in the province.

Ends