The Chief of External Relations and Strategic Planning Section at International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Roland Amoussouga is scheduled to meet representatives of the Rwandan associations of genocide survivors in an effort to strengthen relations between them and the Tribunal. The meeting will take place in Kigali next week, Amoussouga disclosed during a press conference on Thursday.

Amoussouga, who is also the sposkesperson of ICTR, added that he expects to meet representatives of IBUKA, AVEGA and others "to discuss matters of mutual concern to all of us which will strengthen the level of cooperation between ICTR and these organizations."

"It is very important that the line of communication is maintained open." He said that the ICTR Registrar, Adama Dieng had previously attempted to meet the officials of the organizations but he did not materialise, due to "conflicting calendar."

Amoussouga said he intends to revive, pursue and develop a better and harmonious cooperation with the two organizations.

The two major genocide survivor's organisations, IBUKA and AVEGA suspended co-operation with the ICTR early 2002 and advised their members not to testify at the ICTR. Many trials at the ICTR were consequently suspended several times for lack of witnesses.

The organisations were protesting, among others allegations, that genocide suspects were employed by the Tribunal and that witnesses were "mistreated" by

Tribunal officials. A joint commission between Rwanda and the ICTR to study the matter was disbanded after the two failed to agree on its mandate.