The transitional government of Burundi, installed November 1, inherited an eight-year-old civil war and an expanding and abusive "self-defense" program purportedly meant to protect civilians against rebel attack. The program includes the rural-based paramilitary "Guardians of the Peace" which have committed many killings, rapes, and other crimes over the last four years. HRW's report, "To Protect the People: The Government sponsored 'self-defense' program in Burundi," documents cases of forced conscription, the use of child soldiers, and atrocities committed by the "Guardians of the Peace." The report calls on the government of Burundi, to disband the paramilitary force. Prior to the release of the report, authors Alison DesForges and Tony Tate presented advance copies to the Burundian Minister of Defense, and officials at the Belgian and US embassies, the US AID administrator in Burundi and the local UN representative. Alison also discussed the reports findings and recommendations with diplomats and officials in Brussels, New York, and Washington, and conducted radio interviews with the BBC, RFI, and VOA and with the two major private radio stations in Bujumbura which were broadcast repeatedly. The report was also covered by the New York Times. President Buyoya's remark that Human Rights Watch had a right to its opinion but would not dictate policy to his government was reported both locally and in the European press.