KIGALI, May 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Kigali, capital of Rwanda, is gearing up for one of the biggest regional events, the 10th summitof the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) set for June 2-3.

    Delegates arriving at the Kigali international airport were received by polite and helpful staff, and even offered a free SIM card, before ferried away to their hotels by vehicles provided by the organizer.

    Streets in town are impressively clean. Many of them are lined by newly-planted palm trees and lawns. Colorful flags are flying in many places. At five in the afternoon, the streets of Kigali, built on several hills, is alive with buses, pedestrians, vendors and uniform-wearing pupils.

    All is peaceful and orderly. Kigali's hotels and travel agencies are bustling with businesses. It is estimated that over 1,200 delegates are expected to visit Rwanda, the "Land of a Thousand Hills."

    According to The News Times, Kigali's only English newspaper, all the major hotels are fully booked during the summit.

    One corner of the city, however, still reminds people of the horrible event that happened in the land-locked country some 11 years ago, the genocide in 1994. Up to one million people were killed in 100 days.

    The torch at the genocide memorial site in the Gisozi district is kept burning from April to July, the time of the massacre.

    When asked of his tribal origin, John, our guide, declined to answer. He explained that the Rwandan people is in the process of reconciliation.

    "We don't want to be known as tribes. We are Rwandans. We are one people, and one nation. That is the idea that we are emphasizing," he said.

    The government of President Paul Kagame has faced tremendous challenges and made enormous progress in rebuilding the nation torn in pieces by tribal feuds and civil wars. Some three and a half million refugees have returned from neighboring countries andresettled in Rwanda.

    Rebel forces have been integrated into the national armed forces. The justice system is being rebuilt to judge 120,000 genocide suspects. Security has been restored throughout the country. Economic recovery has been consistent since 1994.

    "The host of the COMESA summit will surely help Rwanda further raise its image in the international community," said a senior diplomat based in Kigali. Ministers and senior officials from COMESA's 19 member countries will attend the meeting.

    Over 10 heads of state and government have confirmed their participation. There will also be a high-profiled business summit,said the diplomat, who declined to be named.

    President Kagame told a press conference last Friday that his government understands the costs and benefits of hosting such a big event.

    "There are obviously some problems associated with such a task,but I believe these problems will be overwhelmed by the benefits,"he said.

    As an active member of COMESA, Rwanda can not run away from hosting the summit when its turn comes up, he added.

    Rwanda's commitment to COMESA is clearly shown by the fact thatit is among the 11 COMESA nations that have joined the Free Trade Area and is ready to join the proposed Customs Union.

    COMESA had planned to launch the Customs Union last December when it celebrated its 10th anniversary, but concerns by members states over reduced incomes from import duties prevented its take-off.

    The delayed Customs Union is a major issue on the agenda of theKigali summit, which is expected to come out with a time table forits kick-off. Enditem