Cablegate: Human Rights Vetting for Golden Spear Conference

VZCZCXYZ0031
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLGB #0916 2831506
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 101506Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4769
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS KIGALI 000916

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E, DRL/PHD, PM/RSAT AND L/PM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR MASS PREL RW
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR GOLDEN SPEAR CONFERENCE

1. (U) This is an action request, see paragraph 2.

2. (SBU) Per Leahy Amendment human rights vetting
requirements, please screen General Marcel GATSINZI, Minister
of Defense (DOB: 01/09/1948), scheduled to attend the Golden
Spear conference, November 7 and 8, 2007.

3. (SBU) Post has discovered no derogatory information on
the nominees from its own files or reputable sources. While
Gatsinzi has been the focus of rumors regarding his role in
the 1994 genocide as a senior officer of the Habyarimana-era
armed forces, he was a moderate Hutu officer who both
attempted to restrain the extremists in security force ranks,
and broke with the regime and joined the RPA when he was able
to do so. He offered a general apology to the Rwandan public
in 2005 for being a member of the genocidal government.

4. (U) Post point of contact is PolOff Jennifer Orrico.
ARIETTI

© Scoop Media