DATE=6/7/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=MANDELA / BURUNDI (L)
NUMBER=2-263264
BYLINE=CHALLISS MCDONOUGH
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Former South African President Nelson Mandela
and Burundian President Pierre Buyoya have announced
what they say is a breakthrough in the Burundi peace
process. The Burundi leader agreed to dismantle the
so-called "re-groupment" camps where hundreds of
mainly Hutu civilians have been living since late last
year. V-O-A's Challiss McDonough in Johannesburg
reports the two men also agreed on a plan to integrate
Hutu rebels into the mostly Tutsi Burundi army.
TEXT: Mr. Mandela, the mediator of the Burundi peace
process, said he and President Buyoya made what he
called "very solid progress" toward a peace agreement.
He praised Mr. Buyoya for agreeing to close all of the
controversial re-groupment camps. Everyone still
being held in the camps should return home by the end
of July.
Mr. Mandela and the Burundi leader also said they
agreed on a plan to integrate the mainly Hutu rebels
into the largely Tutsi army. The two ethnic groups
will each make up about 50 percent of the newly
integrated force.
/// OPT /// The negotiators have not yet decided
how to include Burundi's third ethnic group, the Twa,
in the equation. But they say that issue should be
resolved soon. /// END OPT ///
The rebels previously demanded that they make up 70
percent of the new army. But Mr. Mandela says he has
persuaded the rebels that Burundi's military leaders
would never agree to such a drastic change. With
several Burundi army generals standing behind him, Mr.
Mandela said he is confident the plan for equal
representation will satisfy everyone.
/// MANDELA ACT ONE ///
There is no doubt that President Buyoya wants
peace, and for him to take a decision on these
two matters, integration and the re-groupment
camps, has shown a great deal of courage on his
part. But as I have said before, nothing we
agree upon can be final unless it is confirmed
by the people of Burundi.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Mandela said he will seek approval from the other
branches of Burundi's government and the army, as well
as the people, when he visits the country for three
days next week.
During their talks in Johannesburg, Mr. Mandela and
Mr. Buyoya did not reach agreement on the release of
political prisoners. They plan to discuss that issue
again when they meet next week in Bujumbura.
/// REST OPT ///
Despite the progress toward a peace agreement, there
is still no cease-fire in Burundi. Speaking through
an interpreter, Mr. Buyoya asked Mr. Mandela to relay
a message to the rebels.
/// BUYOYA INTERPRETER ACT ///
We agreed that we are going to do our duty as
far as dismantling the re-groupment camps is
concerned, but there is a demand that we would
like to put forward as well. It is that he gets
in contact with the rebels and ask them to
actually cease attacking the populations while
they are returning to their villages.
/// END ACT ///
The Burundi leader said continued hostilities could
disrupt the entire peace process. Mr. Mandela called
it a reasonable request, and said he believes the
rebels will agree to suspend fighting. But he said a
formal cease-fire will have to wait until the progress
toward peace is what he called "irreversible."
/// MANDELA ACT TWO ///
Let the rebels come to Arusha, be part of the
meeting, be part of the decisions, then of
course a cease-fire will take place.
/// END ACT ///
The former South African leader said he believes both
the rebels and the government are committed to
bringing a lasting peace to Burundi. Both main rebel
groups are expected to participate in the next round
of talks in Arusha, scheduled to begin in July.
(Signed)
NEB/CEM/JWH/JP
07-Jun-2000 12:58 PM EDT (07-Jun-2000 1658 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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