22 February 2000
Museveni Optimistic: Says Arusha Talks on Track
(Adds that need for regional stability is overarching) (290) By Jim Fisher-Thompson Washington File Correspondent Arusha, Tanzania -- The chairman of the second round of Burundi Peace Talks, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, said February 22 that while not all rebel groups have joined the negotiations, regional stability demands that the process continue anyway. "The regional and international process" in the February 21-23 talks in Arusha, Tanzania, are important and "there are enough Burundians here to make the peace takeoff," Museveni told journalists in the lobby of the Mt. Meru hotel, where a number of the delegates to the talks are staying. Former South African President Nelson Mandela, who was named the Arusha talks facilitator last December, has made a special effort to meet with and include rebel groups in the peace process. Asked if he believed the government of Congo/Kinshasa was trying to torpedo the talks by bringing pressure on some of the rebel groups not to attend, Museveni said "I don't know." But he added if that is the case, "I don't think it will succeed." Museveni repeated that "there is enough (Burundian) building material now" for the talks in Arusha to be relevant and productive. He reminded the journalists that "militaries depend on many things. They need support and are not an end unto themselves." Museveni, who expressed guarded optimism about progress at the talks, said he based his assessment on the fact that "two things are moving into place: a wider consensus within Burundi" for dialogue; and "a wider consensus within Africa and the international community" tying peace in Burundi with stability throughout the whole Great Lakes region. (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov)
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