Secretary-General welcomes signing of agreement of principles for peace in Burundi

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

The Secretary-General welcomes the signing of the Agreement of Principles towards Lasting Peace, Security, and Stability in Burundi between the Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL (Forces Nationales de Libération).  He considers the Agreement an important step towards ending the devastating 13-year conflict in Burundi.  The Secretary-General would like to express his sincere appreciation to the South African Facilitation, members of the Regional Peace Initiative for Burundi, and the African Union for their crucial contribution.

The Secretary-General calls upon the Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL to build on this positive step and to continue working together towards reaching an early comprehensive agreement, within the framework of the national Constitution.  He would like to reiterate the United Nations’ continued commitment and support to the peace process in Burundi.

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For information media • not an official record