Uganda, Rwanda Agree

TALKS between President Museveni and Kagame were “good, fruitful and frank,” a communique on a Department for International Development (DFID) letterhead faxed to The New Vision about 11:00pm yesterday said. The statement which was sent by Museveni’s press secretary, Mary Okurut, reads, “Good, fruitful and frank talks were held involving British Prime Minister Tony Blair, British Secretary of State for International Development Clare Short and Presidents Museveni and Kagame about bilateral relations between Rwanda and Uganda. The following was agreed: a) That state-to-state relations would be maintained and improved in accordance with the UN and African Union Charter. In particular there would be no toleration of dissidents from either country using the other country to destabilise relations. Mechanisms were agreed on how to discourage dissidents of either country. Presidents Museveni and Kagame decided to put in place an extradition treaty to deal with criminals in either country. b) The Presidents of Rwanda and Uganda agreed to improve regional security including work towards the implementation of the Lusaka and Arusha Accords. c) The Presidents of Rwanda and Uganda also agreed to work with other countries in the region to promote economic development and attract investment. President Museveni said: “It is very important for Rwanda and Uganda to work together so that there is peace between our two countries and the region. This will enable us to take advantage of the new opportunities offered by EU’s Everything But Arms Initiative and the US African Growth and Opportunities Act to improve life of our people.” President Kagame said: “We urgently needed to resolve the tensions between our two countries and focus on social and economic development development of our people as well as the region. This can only be realised when you have peace and stability.” Clare Short said: “Great progress has been made in both Uganda and Rwanda to improve life of the people. I am very happy that this agreement has been reached so that the progress can be sustained and taken forward.” The two Presidents were very grateful to Clare Short and Tony Blair for their support for the two countries and their support for the New Partnership for African Development.” Ends