{{Rwanda is yet again in the spotlight in the international media on allegations contained in a report by the UN Group of Experts that accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels in DRC. <\/p>\n
This time Jendayi Frazer the former US assistant secretary of state for African affairs is being tasked to explain what she thinks of allegations made in the UN report. }} <\/p>\n
Below are details of the interview…. <\/p>\n
{{Aljazeera Television}}: Jendayi Frazer the former US assistant secretary of state for African affairs. Thank you for being with us. <\/p>\n
This decision by the UK government just acknowledges what many have been saying for a long time that Rwanda is actively involved in the M23 movement.<\/p>\n
Why is the state department so much more reticent to acknowledge this openly?<\/p>\n
{{Frazer}}: Well acknowledgement and accusation aren\u2019t the same thing. <\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know whether the Rwandan government is or is not involved in supporting M23. I think the key issue here is to really look forward and try to resolve this. <\/p>\n
And the international community UN GOE the pointing of fingers has never helped to resolve the crisis in the Great Lakes Region. The only thing that is going to help is the US state department backs the ICGLR initiative of regional leaders.<\/p>\n
Aljazeera: {{Can I take you back for a moment before we get to the future prescription of what should be done\u2026\u2026just back to your comment that you don\u2019t know whether Rwanda is involved with M23 at all\u2026.could you clarify what is causing you..Either confusion or giving pause is making decision.}}<\/p>\n
{{Frazer}}: I read the UN report. I don\u2019t think the evidence contained in the report is convincing.Moreover I don\u2019t even know who the experts are. <\/p>\n
There is a cloud of anonymity about who these experts are and what their agenda is. But what I do know is that there is a humanitarian crisis in the region.<\/p>\n
Aljazeera: {{Other members of the State department you are familiar with including Johnnie Carson, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Great Lakes Special Envoy R. Barrie Walkley both of these have said they think President Paul Kagame is involved with M23 rebel movement. <\/p>\n
The UN, the UK have publicly acknowledged that there is a problem here\u2026.are you suggesting that all these people are jumping to conclusion without proper evidence?}}<\/p>\n
{{Frazer}}: When did Barrie Walkley and Johnnie Carson last go to Goma?… When?<\/p>\n
Aljazeera: {{I have no idea}}<\/p>\n
{{Frazer}}: exactly. That\u2019s what I asked you. They haven\u2019t <\/p>\n
Aljazeera: {{Are you suggesting all these people including US high ranking officials do not know what they are talking about?}}<\/p>\n
{{Frazer}}: What am suggesting is you tell me who is on the panel of UN experts. You are the reporter. You tell me who is on the panel of UN experts.<\/p>\n
Aljazeera: {{I am supposed to be asking you the Questions not responding to your Questions.}}<\/p>\n
{{Frazer}}: Well you are asking me and am asking you. Am explaining to you how I read the report.<\/p>\n
Aljazeera: {{This will lead us into a circular conversation. If you could just stick to answering my questions then we can move on.}}<\/p>\n
{{Frazer}}: I did. I answered your Questions. Do you want to have an interview with me or do you want to hear yourself asking questions? I answered your questions. My answer is I read the UN report and it leaves me wanting in terms of evidence.<\/p>\n
Aljazeera: {{So what you are suggesting is that all these people are mistaken or jumping to the wrong conclusions?}}<\/p>\n
{{Frazer}}: Am not saying anything about other people in the conclusions they make. Just because a lot of people say a thing doesn\u2019t make it so. <\/p>\n
The evidence in the UN report by anonymous people leaves me with questions about the nature of that evidence. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s what I am telling you. Whether the UK government wants to reach a different conclusion that is their right.<\/p>\n
Aljazeera: {{Do you think the US State department is currently doing enough trying to ascertain whether the evidence in the UN report has any merit?}}<\/p>\n
{{Frazer}}: I think the US state department needs to spend time supporting the initiative of regional leaders. That\u2019s what will solve the humanitarian crisis that has been devastating to the people of DRCongo. That\u2019s what realy matters. <\/p>\n
Aljazeera: {{You think the US State Department should continue funding Rwanda to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars without even making any effort to explore the possibility that they maybe causing more problems than they are helping solve? }} <\/p>\n
{{Frazer}}: Again United States doesn\u2019t fund Rwanda hundreds of millions of dollars. That\u2019s the nature of the problem of reporting. There are these broad generalizations that are made and repeated over and over again with no basis infact and then it trys to push policy.<\/p>\n
I think the US State Department should take a deliberated approach to support the regional initiative and try to secure the population in Goma and eastern DR-Congo that\u2019s where the focus should be. <\/p>\n
It has been a humanitarian crisis. Instead of focusing on what the solution is and backing regional initiative we are spending all our time trying to accuse one country, one government and one person and it just doesn\u2019t help.<\/p>\n
Aljazeera: {{I offer you the time to inform our readers. What is the US budget to Rwanda if its not hundreds of millions of Dollars?}}<\/p>\n
{{Frazer}}: The US budget is primarily focused on humanitarian assistance in Rwanda. It doesn\u2019t a lot on PEPFAR the presidents emergency Plan for AIDS relief, food security and health security, providing assistance to the Rwandan AU peace keeping troops in Darfur Sudan . <\/p>\n
But hundreds of million of Dollars..you need to look at the US budget its anemic. We have done very little to countries in that region and majority of the US aid in that region is on Health Aid. <\/p>\n
So you want the US to stop providing assistance to the population of Rwanda addressing AIDS, women motality from child birth..do you want us to stop that assistance?<\/p>\n
Aljazeera: {{I didn\u2019t suggest that. I asked you to put a figure on the amount of Aid being provided. }} <\/p>\n
{{Frazer}}: Is that a prescription for solving a crisis in Goma?<\/p>\n
Aljazeera: {{Thank you very much Jendai Frazer for talking to us today.}}<\/p>\n
{{Frazer}}: Thank you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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