DATE=2/21/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=BURUNDI TALKS (L-ONLY) CQ
NUMBER=2-259404
BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS
DATELINE=ARUSHA, TANZANIA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Nelson Mandela re-opened peace talks for
Burundi by calling for greater urgency in efforts to
end the country's ethnic violence. The talks are
being held despite the absence of two main rebel
groups. As Correspondent Scott Stearns reports from
Arusha, Tanzania, the former South African President
faces some opposition to including the armed rebels in
the multi-party talks.
TEXT: When east-African leaders asked Mr. Mandela to
mediate the talks, they told him there would be no
chance of ending Burundi's ethnic violence unless
everyone involved in the conflict is also involved in
finding the solution.
Ethnic-majority Hutu rebels are fighting the
government army in Burundi, which is run by the
minority Tutsi. Mr. Mandela has convinced those
rebels to join the talks, but he is facing opposition
from other Burundi delegates who fear their positions
will be weakened if the rebel faction is included.
Mr. Mandela is asking regional leaders to help him
convince Burundian delegates there will be no peace
unless these talks are all inclusive.
/// ACT MANDELA ///
There are various points of view at the present
moment. But it is important that the regional
leaders here, heads of state and other
government, are stressing the fact that there
can be no peace at all if the process is not all
inclusive.
/// END ACT ///
// OPT // Mr. Mandela is trying to sway reluctant
delegates with personal appeals from worldwide
leaders. He has scheduled an interactive video
appearance Tuesday with U-S President Bill Clinton.
// END OPT //
The re-opening of the talks in the Tanzanian town of
Arusha also included South African President Thabo
Mbeki, Ugandan President Youweri Museveni, and
Mozambique's President Joaquim Chissano.
President Mbeki says the desire for peace is clear
among the people of Burundi. He says the problem is
that they have been let down by their leaders.
// ACT MBEKI //
If peace does not come to Burundi, it will be
because of the leaders of Burundi do not want
peace. It will not be because the Barundi
(correct spelling) do not want peace, it will be
their leaders.
/// END ACT ///
Burundi President Pierre Buyoya says he is not to
blame. The military government has already met some
of the rebels and favors their inclusion in the talks.
/// ACT BUYOYA, IN FRENCH, FADE UNDER ///
President Buyoya says his government has been
committed to dialogue since it came to power in a
military coup four-years ago. He says that is a
fundamental principle that has never changed.
Hutu rebels hold President Buyoya responsible for the
assassination of Burundi's first democratically-
elected President, a Hutu. Since that murder in 1993,
it is estimated that more than 200-thousand people
have died in ethnic violence.
// OPT // Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa says
those deaths are the responsibility of everyone who
has let this process drag on without a solution.
/// ACT MKAPA // OPT ACT ///
We cannot afford a protracted, endless process
of negotiations, and neither can the people of
Burundi. The fundamental problems of Burundi
cannot be wished away, and no amount of
procrastination and manipulation will bring
peace and stability. Only a shared sense of
justice, justice that is seen to be done by
everyone who calls Burundi home can bring
durable peace and stability.
/// END ACT // END OPT ///
Mr. Mandela told delegates that the mediator's office
runs out of money after this round of talks. While no
one expects these negotiations to fail over a lack of
resources, it is clear that Mr. Mandela wants to bring
a greater sense of urgency to the proceedings.
That is a stiff challenge in a process where any one
of the 18-groups can block the inclusion of rebels.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SS/GE/RAE
21-Feb-2000 13:50 PM EDT (21-Feb-2000 1850 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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