In progress at UNHQ

SG/SM/6596

SECRETARY-GENERAL, REFERRING TO UPCOMING ARUSHA TALKS ON BURUNDI, URGES ALL PARTIES TO ACT IN SPIRIT OF RECONCILIATION

12 June 1998


Press Release
SG/SM/6596
AFR/73


SECRETARY-GENERAL, REFERRING TO UPCOMING ARUSHA TALKS ON BURUNDI, URGES ALL PARTIES TO ACT IN SPIRIT OF RECONCILIATION

19980612 The following was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

On Monday, 15 June, in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, the Burundi parties will start talks under the guidance of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.

The Secretary-General urges all the parties, both within and outside the country, to act in a spirit of compromise, tolerance and reconciliation, and to refrain from any action that could undermine the chances of reaching the sort of peaceful and stable settlement that is so necessary for the people of Burundi and for the region as a whole.

He has noted with satisfaction the Government/Parliament partnership concluded last week in Bujumbura and hopes that it will contribute to the success of the all-party talks in Arusha.

The Secretary-General reaffirms the readiness of the United Nations to continue to assist the Facilitator and the parties at all stages of the process.

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For information media. Not an official record.