Dallaire still angry at UN’s failure to stop Genocide

Editor,I would like to share my views on the experience of Senator Romeo Dallaire as indicated in article, “Rwanda’s 20-year old mistake that won’t let Canadian senator sleep” (Sunday Times, December 8). I have always been, and will continue to be, heartbroken and angry about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. But my emotions pale in comparison to the emotions Gen. Dallaire shares when he speaks about the Genocide.The emotions I see on his face and hear in his voice come directly from his heart. I go to his presentations every time he comes to Winnipeg, Canada, and I sit in the front row. You can literally feel his passion for Rwanda.Senator Dallaire’s eyes lit up when I approached him in my blue, yellow and green Rwandan-made sweater and asked him to sign “Shake Hands with the Devil”. He said, “Your sweater is in the colours of the Rwandan flag!”I went to the University of Manitoba to hear him speak the day he received the Mahatma Ghandi Peace Award of Canada in 2012, again wearing my colourful sweater and sitting in the front row. He immediately recognised the sweater...not me. And, once again, I was very fortunate to speak with him and have him sign his latest book “Fight Like Soldiers, Die Like Children”.He never hesitates to express his anger at the UN and the international community for their horrendous failure in 1994. He speaks of his admiration for the Rwandan people and their resilience. His voice shakes when he tells of what he witnessed and he fights back tears. It is no surprise that he deals with ghosts everyday of his life but he is the one man out there who is really trying to make a difference. This man is the most compassionate person I have ever met and a true humanitarian. I am sure he will be in Rwanda to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi. This was a life-changing event in his life, as it was for all the survivors, and he will be there to stand beside you – of that I have no doubt.Marie Collins, Winnipeg Canada

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Dallaire still angry at UN’s failure to stop Genocide