Minega Isibo emailed from Kigali, Rwanda:
Just wanted to tell you that Romeo Dallaire - who was head of UN peacekeeping forces in Rwanda before and during the 1994 genocide - has finally written his account of the affair. Here is one review. Apparently it is only available in Canada so far, but it's selling pretty well so it should be everywhere soon. The world should never forget what happened here and how the UN stood by idly while the French actively helped the killers. This is a story that needs to be told again and again until the entire world understands the magnitude of the horror and learns how ineffective the UN is (I dont think they need any telling about how evil the French government is!)
We always need more telling about the evil French government, Minego!
Now, do we have any Canadian readers here with a copy of Shake Hands with the Devil?
this is a very, very harrowing account of an extremely harrowing experience.
gen. dallaire has tried multiple times to committ suicide, has wandered around in an abnormal manner (as in disappeared for a while and was found living outside homeless, despite family, pension, money, not being an alcoholic, etc) and has broken down several times.
his first writing assistant on this book killed herself after 2 years of work on the book (which has been delayed due to his various problems)
This is most definitely not light reading. This is not something that should be approached lightly and should be viewed as an extremely important book that must be taken very seriously and with caution. Gen. Dallaire was there, on the ground, tried to stop this, saw what happened, was ordered not to do anything, and eventually was involved in the end in trying to get things back together. 1 person, less than a year, millions dead, hacked to death by their neighbours, bodies littering the streets, radio stations devoted to telling people to kill their neighbours. This is dramatically more harrowing than any holocaust tale, as it is one man who saw the descent, the spasm, and the retreat, and it was such a short period for such numbers of dead.
Again, this is a very important book that will likely condemn very, very many of the supposed "great and good" (clinton, the french, the un, etc), yet it is extremely dangerous and must be approached carefully. The book has literally killed one person, the story almost killed its author (and yet still might), so don't be flip. But do, when you are in a safe space and can give it the consideration, read it. It is dramatically important.
Yeah, I just got this book, but I've been wary of reading it. I've heard the General speak on the subject at length, and it's a purely revolting story.
I also have an issue with his leadership style and politics--his is a well-known modern archetype in the Canadian Forces, which I'm well-aware will probably negatively colour my perceptions of the book.
So I'm gonna give things more time to even out before I read the book.
Thanks for putting that up Stephen! The French government has never made any form of apology for what they did in 1994, but some credit to Clinton-he has been here twice and apologized both times (the second time when he was out of office)
Methinks in historical hindsight, Clinton will be seen to have much more to appologize for. How many nasty things did he just sit idly by and let happen?
I guess being an honorary black man focus-grouped well for the 96 election, but not doing anything in Africa.
