Editor,

I just viewed your video on CNN praising Paul Rusesabagina.  I must say that I am deeply offended by so many well-educated people who continue to elevate this man to "hero/savior” status. 

You may want to talk to the many people, including terrified children, who were turned away because they could not pay him to enter the Hotel Milles Collines.  The hotel was a safe house because the UN was protecting it, not Paul Rusesabagina! 

Are you aware of his affiliations and what they are trying to accomplish?  I suggest you do more research on this man to find out what he is actually involved in.  A good place to start learning more about the character of Rusesabagina is the book "Hotel Rwanda or The Tutsi Genocide as seen by Hollywood” written by Alfred Ndahiro and Privat Rutazibwa. 

I purchased this book at the Gisozi Genocide Memorial in Kigali last year upon the recommendation of a genocide survivor and dear friend.

It is very enlightening and should be required reading for all those who have been lied to by Rusesabagina, including Oprah Winfrey, former President Bush and countless others who only know his side of the "story.”

And have you any proof that his "foundation” is actually helping the survivors as he proclaims to the world so unabashedly?  Because the people in Rwanda say they have not seen a penny of all the millions of dollars he has pocketed over the years since its inception.

Rusesabagina is not welcome in Rwanda and for good reason. He may fool the Western world and its "well-educated” people but he doesn’t fool Rwandans for a single minute.

I am passionate about Rwanda and her incredible people and will continue to defend this amazing country if it takes me one email/letter/article at a time.  I truly hope you read the book I’ve recommended and research Mr. Rusesabagina more thoroughly.  

Marie Collins

africanheart@shaw.ca