Sarkozy makes concessions to Rwanda

On his visit to Rwanda French President Nicolas Sarkozy has commemorated the victims of the genocide in 1994 and conceded that his country committed grave errors. A significant step in the fragile rapprochement between the two countries, writes the daily The Irish Times: "France has denied responsibility, although Sarkozy has spoken of France's 'weaknesses and errors' in dealing with Rwanda in the mid-1990s. Rwanda's list of grievances is current as well as historical, however, with the question of genocide suspects who are living comfortably in France adding considerable strain to the relationship. ... It is expected that Sarkozy will suggest to his Rwandan counterpart the creation of a commission of historians to look at the tragic events of 1994 and the complex relationship between the two countries."

» full article (external link, English)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Security Policy / Crises / War, » France, » Africa