Rwanda has its own problems and never sought to blame others or cause others trouble. I advise Burundi to do the same.

Rwanda is not over needing aid, but we can survive with less aid than before.

Rwanda is a democracy not a monarchy.

Human rights are not the preserve of Western activists: The definition must extend to encompass the right to the dignified life; the right to send your kids to school, for that child to get health care, for access for greater prosperity for generations to come and to have a say in the destiny of your community and country. Under that definition, Rwanda has nothing to learn from advocacy groups who think they own the copyright on what constitutes human rights under all conditions in every corner of the world.

In Rwanda, we have a society that has experienced a very serious rupture and you can't expect all of a sudden that things will be perfect. Even so: You cannot find any more areas where any segment of the population would be afraid to go, like we used to have before. But there is always a lot more to do.

It is the first time in the history of Rwanda that political change in the highest leadership of the country has taken place in peace and security.

The history and national interest of Rwanda and the Rwandan people dictate our national orientation.