President Bush Opens New U.S. Embassy In Rwanda; Pledges Increased Aid To Region

Kigali, Rwanda (AHN) - While in the Rwandan capital of Kigali to herald the opening of its new U.S. Embassy on Tuesday, President Bush expressed support for the progress the country has made since the disastrous 1994 genocide that saw some hundreds of thousands of Rwandans slaughtered.

In praising Rwanda's progress since the deadly ethnic cleansings in the 1990s, President Bush aimed to prove that the United States is serious about its partnership with both Rwanda and the African continent in general.

Speaking to the gathering at the new U.S. embassy, Bush said, "It's hard to believe that there could be hope after a devastating period of time like that, and yet there is. And so cutting the ribbon here really is a chance for America to say, we stand with you as you hope for a better future."

President Bush, who is currently on a five-nation tour of Africa, also used the ribbon-cutting ceremony to urge the international community to give increased aid and support to the violence-wracked Darfur region in Sudan. In addition to the more than $17 million the U.S. has spent so far to train and equip Rwandan troops to help secure Darfur, Bush pledged to authorize another $100 million help mobilize peacekeeping efforts in the war-torn region.

"The Rwanda people know the horrors of genocide," Bush said. "My message to other nations is join with the president and help us get this problem solved once and for all."