Q: How many armed Rwandan exiles are in DR Congo?

A: I think we should not make an issue of figures. The problem is the presence of ex-FAR (Rwandan Armed Forces) and Interahamwe in whatever numbers that have been made a serious problem for our security - for the security of Rwanda.

We agree on the basic principle that these people pose a threat to our country and this is a group that doesn't deserve to be associated with anybody - therefore no country, no group no person should be assisting these people.

They have been been condemned by the international community and the international community should take responsibility on this as well.

The issue is that they pose a threat and they have been associated with the genocide in Rwanda.

Q: The DR Congo government and some observers say that you have been in control of eastern Congo for four year but you have not been able to disarm the Hutu rebels.

A: It looks like they have been getting assistance from some quarters.

They have been armed. They have been organised. They have been let to roam around the vast territory of the Congo with the intention of coming to Rwanda to cause problems inside Rwanda.

They have not succeeded.

South Africa backs the deal

We have done what was humanly possible to contain this serious problem and I think now that the agreement we have reached today can help move things forward - building on the fact that the situation has been contained thanks to the efforts of our forces.

Q: Some political representatives of the Hutu rebels in Kinshasa say that they are ready come back to Rwanda but on condition that there is some sort of opening up by the Rwandese government. Is there any intention to move towards a full democratic system at some point?

A: If those leaders based in Kinshasa - leaders of these genocidal groups or the militias or whatever they call themselves - have found a better political opening in Kinshasa than back home in their country Rwanda, it's their choice to stay in Kinshasa and perhaps play politics from there.

They are not prohibited from coming back to the country to exercise their rights as any other Rwandans are doing.

Q: When do you think there will be high-level elections in Rwanda?

A: The transition period is ending next year. Before or slightly after we should be able to have elections - presidential, parliamentary elections.

Q: How would you protect minorities in Rwanda?

A: We are going to protect the rights of every individual. Then you can start from the individual to the minority and to the majority.

I hope you would be mindful to talk about minority or majority in the political sense rather than in the very narrow sense which is very commonly talked about.

But I think once you have ensured the rights of individuals it is easier to ensure the rights of every category you may want to talk about.