20100927
New Times

The United States is strengthening its relations with two breakaway regions in Somalia while also urging Japan to help Kenya meet the costs of prosecuting Somali pirates.

While speaking at a town hall meeting that was aired live on Television and radio, General James Kabarebe said that the threats from some of the defectors who include fugitives; Kayumba Nyamwasa, Patrick Karegyeya, Theogene Rudasingwa and former Prosecutor General, Gerald Gahima are just verbal threats that cannot destabilize the country.

"The four, besides their verbal actions, cannot destabilise the path - of restructuring the systems and development- that the country is currently taking," Kabarebe said.

He observed that the four had been cautioned against their wrong deeds in their respective duties but instead of changing, they decided to flee.

"The struggle to liberate the country faces challenges that include people who decide to go in a different direction instead of aiming at the same course (development and reconstruction)."

He said that patriotism is taught in the army and that it is one of the country's priority lectures for all Rwandans.

"These are daily lectures and that's why we work together with Rwandans at all levels to build schools, roads as we together join hands to develop the country."

On his part, the Ombudsman, Tito Rutaremara, pointed out that for the country to continue with the liberation struggle, which involves fighting poverty and illiteracy, there is need for all systems to efficiently execute their duties.

Patriotism, he said, comes from the community electing people who will lead them ably to achieve their goals.

He further suggested that nationalism should be taught at home and in schools.