Remarks by Fredrick W. Schieck
Deputy Administrator
U.S. Agency for International Development
At the U.S. Mission Employees Association Memorial Service
Tuesday, April 6, 2004
Kigali, Rwanda
Ambassadors, Religious Leaders, Colleagues, Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a privilege for me to be here with you today to honor the lives of our Rwanda colleagues who met their unfortunate fate in the national conflict ten years ago. Please accept my deepest condolences.
One life lost, unjustly and prematurely, is one too many. And it is all the more heartbreaking to know that the 28 individuals we are honoring today were U.S. Government employees working for the Embassy and USAID. The goals of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department in Rwanda and around the world simply could not be achieved without the dedication, perseverance and integrity demonstrated by our Foreign Service Nationals and Locally Employed Staff, many of whom are leaders within their own communities. It is thanks to persons like these that USAID has been able to work productively with Rwandan government and non-government officials to implement development programs that improve the quality of life for all Rwandan citizens.
The U.S. Government continues to work on behalf of all Rwandans to increase the effectiveness of the justice system, end impunity, and promote reconciliation and healing in Rwanda.
The international community has an important role to play, but the real burden for rebuilding Rwanda falls to each and every Rwandan. The task of rebuilding your lives and reconciling with those who have caused you suffering is not easy. Yet the process of reconciliation and forgiveness must continue if Rwanda is to progress.
I am encouraged by the amount of development and progress in Rwanda since 1994. I am gratified by the many examples of reconciliation and the steps people are taking to rebuild their country. The Gacaca (ga-cha-cha) process, which the U.S. Government is supporting, will hopefully bring catharsis to the country. It will provide the forum for people to clear their consciences, seek pardon, and rebuild their lives.
The religious leaders here today have an enormous role to play and I commend each of you for taking the lead in the reconciliation process of this country. Let me assure you that the United States Government will continue to be a strong partner and provide development and humanitarian assistance.
Today, our thoughts and are support go out to the survivors of our fallen colleagues, to the widows and children, especially those who are orphans, many of whom are with us today at this ceremony. We are gratified to know that some have received assistance from the Genocide Survivors' Fund, which USAID has supported for the past several years. We will make every effort to continue to assist these families to make sure that the orphans of our colleagues are able to complete their schooling.
My heart goes out to you and to the families of the dearly departed. May they rest in peace with the knowledge that we care, that USAID and the people of the United States care. We must resolve together that the events of the past will never happen again. Let us all work for a future for this beautiful country that will be testament to what is best in the human spirit and what is best in the people of Rwanda. May peace be with you.
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