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DATE=09/29/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N / Mandela / Burundi (L Only)

NUMBER=2-267261

BYLINE=Breck Ardery

DATELINE=United Nations

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Former South African President Nelson Mandela today (Friday) urged rebels in Burundi to stop fighting and join in that nation's peace process. Mr. Mandela, the facilitator of the Burundi negotiations, discussed his work at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. VOA Correspondent Breck Ardery reports.

TEXT: Mr. Mandela hailed the signing of the power-sharing agreement that is aimed at ending the seven-year old civil war in Burundi. The agreement, reached on August 28th in Arusha, Tanzania, will establish a transitional government leading to democratic elections in three years.

Noting that the heart of the conflict in Burundi is the antagonism between Hutus and Tutsis, Mr. Mandela said it is particularly significant that the agreement calls for equal ethnic representation in Burundi's armed forces.

The agreement has been endorsed by the 10 Tutsi and seven Hutu political groups in Burundi as well as the army and government. However, two main Hutu rebel groups have rejected the deal and continue fighting. Mr. Mandela said continued fighting can not now be justified.

///MANDELA ACT///

There can not be any justification for continued violent attacks on the civilian population when a political agreement has been reached and a way has been opened for them (the rebels) to bring their concerns to the negotiating table. We once more call upon them to demonstrate the quality of their leadership by announcing a cease-fire and halt the slaughter of innocent women, men, children and the disabled.

///END ACT///

Mr. Mandela said Burundi is on the threshold of a new chapter in its history and that history will harshly judge those who try to interfere with the peace process.

Mr. Mandela said he is planning to move his office from Arusha to the Burundi capital of Bujumbura to more closely follow implementation of the peace process. (Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/LSF/KBK