Mr. Robert Lord hit the nail on the head

Editor, As one who visited Rwanda in Aug 1994 and Dec 2009, I share his positive feelings towards the progress going on in Rwanda (“The Western media must ignore stereotype when reporting on Rwanda”-TNT Wednesday 16th of June). Americans from Arkansas, or Wyoming, where I live half the year, can choose to be as informed on Rwanda as they want.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Editor,

As one who visited Rwanda in Aug 1994 and Dec 2009, I share his positive feelings towards the progress going on in Rwanda ("The Western media must ignore stereotype when reporting on Rwanda”-TNT Wednesday 16th of June).

Americans from Arkansas, or Wyoming, where I live half the year, can choose to be as informed on Rwanda as they want. They can read Stephen Kinzer’s book on Paul Kagame, "A Thousand Hills”, an informed, positively critical book, or just get impressions, as most do, from the occasional news coming out of Rwanda.

A friend told me not to fly into Kigali Airport because one plane slid into the lobby area. I took the risk. 

It is frustrating that people don’t get any overall picture of Rwanda. I must say that based on today’s news what I know of Kyrgyzstan is now that the Kyrgyz majority hate the Uzbek minority. I assume there is much more to Kyrgyzstan than that.

I agree with you that the positive in Rwanda and the wonderful people there far outweigh these news stories. Like you, I have plenty of hope Rwanda will make it and I will keep contributing.
 
Thanks for the story.
 
Bob Langfelder
Oakland, CA

boblangfelder@aol.om