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Rusesabagina Denies Supporting Rwanda Hutu Rebels

   Peter Clottey 27 October 2010
   Rwandan peace activist Paul Rusesabagina (2008 file photo)

Photo: AP

   Rwandan  peace  activist  Paul  Rusesabagina  inspired  the film Hotel
   Rwanda (2008 file photo)

   Paul  Rusesabagina,  the  man  who  inspired the film Hotel Rwanda has
   described  as  âsimple  and pure liesâ Â Rwanda government accusations
   that he financially supported the Democratic Forces for the Liberation
   of Rwanda (FDLR) a rebel group.

   The Hutu rebel group is accused of perpetrating Rwandaâs 1994 genocide
   in  which  hundreds  of thousands of Rwandans were killed in a 100-day
   massacre spree.

   âThere  has never been any link between myself and the FDLR. It is not
   because  I  condemned  all  the  FDLR  people  because I know they are
   criminals,  but  there  are  also innocent people. I am a humanitarian
   andâ¦I  believe  that  the  best  and  worse weapon in a human beingâs
   arsenal   is  not  a  missile,  itâs  not  a  gun,  but  words,â  said
   Rusesabagina.

   Rwandaâs  top  prosecutor  said  Wednesday  that  Mr. Rusesabagina and
   jailed  opposition  figure  Victoire  Ingabire  help  finance the Hutu
   rebels.

   The  rebels  are  also  accused  of  committing  atrocities and crimes
   against humanity in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

   Rusesabagina,  who  is  globally hailed by many as a hero, was awarded
   the  Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, the highest civilian honor
   in the U.S. by former President George W. Bush.

   Rusesabagina  has  been  a  harsh  critic  of  Rwandaâs President Paul
   Kagame.  He  recently,  condemned  the  jailing  of leading opposition
   leader  Victoire  Ingabire  who  is  accused  of  conspiring to form a
   terrorist group.

   Rusesabagina said the accusations form part of President Paul Kagameâs
   plan to intimidate and harass any critic of his administration.

   âMy  foundation  has  been  advocating for truth, equal justice, equal
   rights and reconciliation commission not only for Rwanda, but also for
   the Great Lakes region of Africa. We want to solve our troubles around
   that table rather than with guns,â Rusesabagina said.

   He further said that the last time he sent money to Rwanda was in 2002
   to his family.

   âMy  younger  brother  had a brain tumor then we had to hire a medical
   doctor  from  South Africa to Kigali. At that time I sent about $1,000
   if  not  less  to  help.  Because  I had more money (in) my account in
   Kigali  and  I  paid  that medical doctor, I paid King Faisal hospital
   with money which was in Kigali,â he said.

   Rusesabagina,  who  currently  lives  in  Belgium  also said President
   Kagameâs government is conducting a smear campaign against him.

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