U.N. Peacekeeper Reflects on Rwandan Genocide

[JPZenger]

The movie "Hotel Rwanda" - it is now out on DVD. I highly recommend it. It is about a manager of a hotel who saves the lives of over 1,000 people during the genocide that killed 800,000 in Rwanda in 1994.

The following is another excellent story about this event. This is about the head of the UN peacekeepers on the ground in Rwanda. He was a Canadian general who was expected to become the head of all Canadian armed forces after his duty in Rwanda. Instead, he was so overwhelmed by his inability to save more people that he suffered severe mental illness and alcoholism. Here is his story:

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Heroes/Gen_Romeo_Dallaire.html

Excerpt:

"Gen. Romeo Dallaire defied U.N. orders to withdraw from Rwanda. Without the authority, manpower, or equipment to stop the slaughter, he saved the lives he could but nearly lost his sanity... a few thousand ill-equipped U.N. peacekeepers were all that stood between Rwandans and genocide. The Canadian commander did what he could-did more than anyone else-but he sees his mission as a terrible failure and counts himself among its casualties.

... Dallaire had sounded the alarm. He'd begged. He'd bellowed. He'd even disobeyed orders. "l was ordered to withdraw...and I said to him, 'I can't, I've got ... over 20,000 people in areas under our control"..

... Hutu-controlled radio blamed the Tutsis and immediately began calling for their extermination, as well as for the murder of moderate Hutus considered friendly to the Tutsi "cockroaches." The broadcasts gave details on whom to kill and where to find them.
... he pleaded with his U.N. superiors for additional troops, ammunition, and the authority to seize Hutu arms caches."
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P.S. - Regarding the movie Hotel Rwanda: With a movie covering this topic, some people may not watch it because it is too disturbing. However, this movie is rated PG-13 - it is not overly gory. All of the people featured in the movie survive.

[oldlady]

1. Shake Hand With the Devil

the documentary on the UN Peacekeeper leader you referenced is a really good film. We saw it recently at the local film festival and I really felt for Dallaire. Also liked the ending, thanks for the post!

[G_j]

2. ,so very sad, a tough read

but worth it. Humanity has not been handling itself well as we enter the 'new millennium'. Humanity has the potential to do so much better, unfortunately most of the 'leaders' lack the will and motivation.

[Telly Savalas]

3. It's a good thing we've learned our lessons from this...

and that we've stepped up to the plate to stop the genocide in Darfur...oh, wait...forget it.

[Spazito]

4. Some good news about General Dallaire

He has just been appointed to the Canadian Senate where he will focus on humanitarian intervention. He is a real Canadian hero, imo. He did everything humanly possible to try and stop the genocide in Rwanda and no one listened. I am very proud he is now serving Canadians in another way.

[JPZenger]

5. Documentary on General

Here's a little more info on the documentary on the General. It is not yet out on DVD - I put it on my waiting list on Netflix.com.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2005/01/30/Arts/dallairesundance050130.html