DATE=4/28/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=MANDELA / BURUNDI (L)
NUMBER=2-261806
BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS
DATELINE=BUJUMBURA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Former South African President Nelson
Mandela was in Burundi Friday on a peace mission
to end that country's ethnic violence. As VOA's
Scott Stearns reports, Mr. Mandela went looking
for support from Burundi's army and its
legislature.
TEXT: /// SOUNDS, ESTABLISH AND FADE ///
Local dancers welcomed Mr. Mandela at Bujumbura's
airport. It was his fist visit, and he was met
with a full honor guard.
Mr. Mandela came to Burundi looking to build
popular support for peace talks he chairs in
neighboring Tanzania. While people here have
heard about those talks for more than two years,
they have yet to see the process produce any
improvement in security or democracy.
Ethnic Hutu rebels have been fighting the army
since 1993 when paratroopers killed the country's
first democratically elected president. The
murder of President Melchior Ndadaye, a Hutu,
set-off the latest wave of ethnic violence
between Hutu rebels and an army dominated by the
minority Tutsi.
Regional diplomats hope Mr. Mandela can bring his
considerable moral authority to a conflict that
has so far claimed more than 200 thousand lives.
In Bujumbura Friday, he appealed directly to the
Burundian people -- known as Barundi -- to
support the talks in Arusha, Tanzania.
/// SECOND MANDELA ACT ///
When we reach an agreement with the
government, the national assembly, and the
political parties in Arusha, that will be
the beginning of a real challenge for us
because the challenge is that we should not
impose a solution we have taken in Arusha
on the Barundi. The Barundi themselves must
say to us, "We endorse what you have done
in Arusha." Only if they do so, will there
be permanent peace in this country.
/// END ACT ///
// MILITARY BAND ESTABLISH AND FADE ///
Mr. Mandela met with Burundian President Pierre
Buyoya, his army chief of staff, and senior
military officials about what they can do in the
peace process. He clearly wants to reassure an
army led by the minority Tutsi that their
interests will be protected under majority Hutu
rule.
Mr. Mandela is targeting the National Assembly
and the army as the two most important domestic
institutions he needs to support his peace talks.
/// MANDELA ACT ///
Whatever we agree upon in Arusha, and I am
confident that we are on the verge of a
breakthrough, if the national assembly as
well as the army are not with us, we can
not bring peace here.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Mandela has convinced leaders from the main
rebel group to join peace talks next month.
Burundi's military government has already met
separately with some of those rebels and supports
their inclusion in the broader talks.
Mr. Mandela's move to include rebels is opposed
by some middle class Tutsi who say they will not
share power with people they call murders. It
also faces a challenge from other rebel groups
already at the talks who fear including more
rebels will weaken their position. (Signed)
NEB/SS/GE/KL
28-Apr-2000 12:53 PM EDT (28-Apr-2000 1653 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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