STATEMENT TO PRESS ON BURUNDI BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

                                                                  AFR/453

                                                                  SC/7489

                                                                  21 August 2002

STATEMENT TO PRESS ON BURUNDI BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

The following press statement on Burundi was made today by the President of the Security Council, John Negroponte (United States):

The Council also considered the situation in Burundi during today’s consultations.  Assistant Secretary-General Kalomoh reviewed the latest developments in Burundi for members of the Council, after which discussion took place among Council members.  The following is the Press Statement agreed by the members of the Council on that situation:

Members of the Security Council appeal to the armed groups for an immediate cessation of hostilities;

Call upon the belligerents to negotiate in good faith in Dar-es-Salaam, and to conclude as soon as possible a ceasefire agreement;

Express support for all of the efforts of the facilitator, regional leaders, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to achieve a political solution;

Express concern over the security situation and urge all parties to respect the international humanitarian law to include refraining from the use of landmines;

Call upon all parties to permit the safe and voluntary return of refugees and to provide them with access to humanitarian assistance;

Call upon all Burundian parties to continue to implement the Arusha Agreement as the agreed upon framework for peaceful political reconciliation; and

Call upon international donors to support the peace process, including through budgetary assistance to enable Burundi to cope with the exceptional situation so that the benefits of the Arusha Agreement are not lost.

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