Burundi

On behalf of the delegation of Burundi, which we have the distinguished honour to lead in the work of this session of the General Assembly, and on our own behalf, allow us first and foremost to extend the friendly greetings of the President of the Republic of Burundi, Mr. Pierre Buyoya, as well as those of the Government and all the people of Burundi. The delegation of Burundi is delighted at the unanimous choice of the President of the fifty-second session of the General Assembly. His lofty, moral and intellectual qualities, his long and rich diplomatic experience and his in-depth knowledge of the current concerns of the planet no doubt augur well for a ringing success in his term of office. Our country offers him its full support. At the same time, we would like to extend our sincere congratulations to his predecessor, Ambassador Razali Ismail of Malaysia, who so brilliantly conducted the work of the fifty-first session of the General Assembly. We would also like to pay enthusiastic tribute to Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, for his continuing tireless efforts to promote the ideals of this world Organization. Thanks to the institutions and bodies of the United Nations system, millions of refugees and persons displaced or scattered in the wake of internal conflicts, national disasters and other emergency situations have benefited from substantial humanitarian assistance, particularly in Africa. The Great Lakes region has received special attention in this regard. Aside from peacekeeping and humanitarian relief operations on the African continent, it is important to underscore and welcome the United Nations System-wide Special Initiative on Africa. I would like to take this opportunity to launch an appeal to all our bilateral and multilateral partners to mobilize the necessary resources for the financing of this Initiative, whose fundamental importance for the development of Africa is obvious. For four years Burundi has been going through an unprecedented crisis that has been marked by numerous crimes and acts of genocide. Aside from the blind extermination of hundreds of thousands of human lives, armed groups have attacked the economic, health, educational and administrative infrastructures of the country. In short, the political change that occurred on 25 26 July 1996 took place just in time to save the country from genocide and nightmare. Contrary to what a certain sector of international public opinion would have us believe, the vast majority of the population of Burundi welcomed the new direction of the country with great enthusiasm and relief. New hope was born with this change of political regime. The results in the area of security were immediate. Aside from certain areas of insecurity related to sporadic attacks by armed groups, peace and security have returned to almost the entire national territory. But the population remains vigilant because terrorist bands have not yet disarmed. Essentially, they use the territory of Tanzania to launch massacres against women, children, men and the elderly. These repeated attacks are at the source of the displacement and regrouping of populations. The Government has never decreed any regroupment policy. While the camps of displaced persons have not attracted particular attention, the so-called regroupment camps have stirred controversy in certain circles of international opinion that have been exploited and misinformed by terrorist groups such as the National Council for the Defence of Democracy (CNDD). Today these centres of the dispossessed are gradually being closed. Day by day, people who have been displaced or regrouped are returning to their villages of origin when security conditions permit. A recent report indicates that in less than a month there will practically be no regrouped persons in the country’s central provinces, which were the most affected. We must, however, recognize that problems persist. At the humanitarian level the afflicted people live in deplorable conditions. Overcrowding, lack of sanitation, malnutrition, lack of health care and all sorts of epidemics are the daily plight of the dispossessed. My Government wishes to place on record its real appreciation for all the support of our bilateral and multilateral partners to relieve the misery of these deprived populations. We appeal again to the international community to increase humanitarian assistance to the afflicted populations in order to meet their food, health and clothing needs. In order to ensure the reintegration of the victims, the Government appeals for assistance for reconstruction and economic recovery. In the context of its vast social reintegration effort, the Government of Burundi invites all Burundi refugees, wherever they may be, to return voluntarily to their country. It is prepared to welcome them with open arms and in conditions of complete security and dignity. I would like to take this opportunity to request the assistance of neighbouring countries, in particular Tanzania, as well as of international organizations such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to facilitate the return of our exiled brothers. In the past year more than 160,000 Burundi refugees have voluntarily returned to their home provinces. Since the political changes of 25 July 1996, the principal objectives of the Government of the Republic of Burundi have been to ward off the spectre of genocide, to restore State authority, to organize a peace process based on dialogue, to reintegrate afflicted people, to rebuild and revitalize the economy and to democratize institutions. At present the great majority of the Burundi population is determined to work to restore peace. This is why the widespread genocide that was foreseen, and began, has been contained and stopped. I can today affirm in all certainty that this danger has been averted. To the dismay of certain prophets of doom and apocalypse, the Burundi nation has not fallen apart either. The peace process under way in Burundi is aimed precisely at laying the foundation for a lasting peace. Since the beginning of this year the Government has initiated throughout the country a series of workshops in preparation for a genuine national debate, with the goal of leading the Burundi people to discuss frankly all the country’s problems. The governmental team is now engaged in speeding up the peace process, and several initiative have been taken in this regard. A round table bringing together all the internal actors has just taken place in the centre of the country. It is in this context as well that the Burundi peace conference, originally planned to take place in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from 30 June to 2 July 1997 was held at UNESCO headquarters from 26 to 28 September 1997. Some 50 Burundi political actors, along with about 30 international observers, took part in those meetings. That conference was designed to involve all the Burundi people, at home and abroad, in political dialogue, taking into account different political and socio- professional leanings. Even those who chose the route of violence participated in that forum in great numbers. That 27 event thus marks an important step in the Burundi peace process. Despite the visible difficulties, the Government of Burundi is determined to negotiate with the various actors in Burundi — including the armed factions — without exception. Thus, the phase of the peace negotiations that could not be held in Arusha on 25 August 1997 as originally planned — as a result of difficulties connected to the mediation arrangements — are going to be resumed very shortly. Consultations are under way on this matter, and, true to its programme, the Government will participate. In this context, I would like to recall that my Government asked for a postponement of the 25 August 1997 meeting only so that it could better consult with its partners, improve the mediation arrangements and find a location more amenable to dialogue, outside of Tanzania. After that postponement the President of the United Republic of Tanzania called for a summit of the Heads of State of the region in Dar es Salaam, which was held on 3 and 4 September 1997. The Government of the Republic of Burundi, which was not invited, expresses its regret that it had no role in that summit. It considers that at these meetings devoted entirely to the Burundi conflict its presence is indispensable so that it can provide information and explanations that will enlighten the Heads of State of the region, in the interest of peace in Burundi. The Burundi peace process must involve dialogue and negotiation among the Burundi people. At the conclusion of the talks, a negotiated transitional government will be put in place to lead the country in the direction pointed by the Burundi people themselves. The ultimate objective is to put in place democratic institutions that all can trust. The Government of the Republic of Burundi again expresses its concern regarding the mediation arrangements and the host country for the mediation. No process can lead to peace in Burundi if it is not developed in cooperation with the Burundi people and carried out with their complete agreement. It is thus imperative that there be greater consultations between the mediator and the Burundi people — in particular with the Government that is charged with leading the country and that has the weighty responsibility of extracting it from crisis. To increase the confidence of all the parties in the mediation and to follow the universally recognized rules for such undertakings, the Government of the Republic of Burundi believes that the mediator must be supported by other personalities and by experts in the techniques of conflict resolution — people who have no personal stake in the Burundi problem. The Burundi peace process will remain stalled, if Tanzania — the mediating country, the host country of the mediation — having taken over the Burundi Embassy in Dar es Salaam, continues to play the triple role of host country for the armed factions responsible for the genocide in Burundi, promoter of sanctions against Burundi and overweening mediator. The objection of the Government of the Republic of Burundi to the holding of the talks in Tanzania is thus easily understood. It is based essentially on the tension that has been created by the refugee camps that Tanzania has set up all along its border with Burundi. Many of them are armed, and from them deadly raids are regularly launched on Burundi territory. This tension has been exacerbated by the hostile campaign waged by the Tanzanian authorities in several African capitals precisely on the eve of the opening of the talks, originally set to take place in Arusha on 25 August 1997. Further, the Government of the Republic of Burundi does not understand why the fifth summit of the Heads of the State of the region requested it to halt the process now under way. Such a halt would unleash disorder and public insecurity in the country. No Burundi citizen would be able to understand how the judicial system could punish minor infractions while at the same time it was unable to try cases of political assassination and acts of genocide. The halting of legal proceedings under way and scheduled is thus unacceptable. The ideal is to assure each defendant a just and fair trial in which the right to a defence is guaranteed. The Government has already made a commitment to do all it can to that end, and we thank the United Nations for its assistance in this area. In this regard, the establishment of an international criminal tribunal for Burundi, which the Government of Burundi has requested of the United Nations, is now urgently needed, both to combat impunity and to give the peace process now under way a chance. Under no pretext whatsoever should any criminal, nor anyone responsible for genocide, be shielded. It is clear that the Burundi peace process is being held back by numerous constraints. 28 My Government’s efforts to restore peace and security have been compromised by the completely unjust and illegal blockade that has been maintained by neighbouring countries since 31 July 1997. Paradoxically, the supporters of these inhumane economic sanctions claim that they wish to restore peace in Burundi. However, those who know my country know that it is poor and landlocked and has been beset by almost four years of war. To support sanctions by word and by deed is tantamount to killing more children and more disaster victims through hunger, disease, poverty and war. No neighbouring country should adopt such a stance, especially when we take account of the concern that my country has always shown for its neighbours when they were confronted with the same problems. The measures to mitigate the economic sanctions agreed in Arusha last 16 April have not been implemented in their entirety. Difficulties remain, particularly in respect of air transport and the supply of humanitarian fuel. How then, under these circumstances, can we speak of mitigation when the released goods cannot reach their beneficiaries? From this rostrum, my delegation calls once again on the neighbouring countries in the subregion responsible for the blockade to please lift these inhumane and degrading sanctions immediately. It strongly urges the international community to do everything in its power to make these countries understand the pressing need to lift these unjust sanctions, which only impoverish the poorest and enrich the richest — measures that ravage the most vulnerable sectors of society. I should like to remind the Assembly that my Government has already met all the demands made by the countries of the subregion, which served as a pretext for the imposition of the sanctions. These include the restoration of the National Assembly and of the political parties and the commencement of negotiations with the rebel army. Unfortunately, at the risk of hampering the process, each summit gives rise to new conditions. That is why the quest for peace in Burundi often resembles the movement of Sisyphus’ stone. My country, moreover, continues to be confronted with repeated border attacks by armed terrorist groups that are based in a neighbouring country, Tanzania. These criminal bands recruit in camps housing Burundi refugees along the common border, in flagrant violation of the Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. Some of the rebels are based 15 kilometres from the Burundi-Tanzania border. From there, it takes but a step to infiltrate Burundi. In that one little step, they can massacre — as they did last April — several innocent Burundi people. In the face of this situation, my Government urges the United Nations firmly to condemn these terrorist organizations and to bring pressure to bear on those countries receiving them to separate genuine refugees from tribal terrorist groups. In order to promote the necessary communication in the context of a political dialogue, we ask Tanzania once again to liberate the Embassy of Burundi in Dar Es Salaam in order to facilitate diplomatic relations current negotiations and the settlement of the question of refugees. The Great Lakes region is experiencing an unprecedented crisis. One of the main reasons for this upheaval is doubtless the problem of refugees. The spiral of violence that is engulfing our subregion has prompted a vast trans-border movement of peoples fleeing warfare and insecurity in their country or origin. Some are innocent people who fear for their physical security, but some belong to criminal groups. Faithful to its policy of dialogue and concertation, the Government of the Republic of Burundi will spare no effort to initiate contacts with its neighbours in order to explore together appropriate ways and means to resolve this situation. The goal of this endeavour is to work together to restore a climate of security on our common borders, in keeping with our tradition of good-neighbourliness. Africa is currently facing numerous challenges. A low rate of economic growth; intense demographic pressures; a decline in agricultural production; the continuing decrease in bilateral and multilateral aid — the result of new alliances; the burden of debt servicing; and socio-political conflicts — these are the many pitfalls along the path to Africa’s development. Our continent will never achieve its development if it does not meet these challenges, which is why my country resolutely favours consolidating regional and subregional entities, which would represent a crucial stage for progress in Africa. In this connection, we welcome the System-wide Special Initiative on Africa, launched officially on 15 March 1996. We firmly support and encourage this ambitious programme, which was set up to support our continent in its development efforts. 29 Our continent, Africa, is doubtless one of the most turbulent areas on the planet. The efforts to democratize political institutions on which so many hopes were pinned have, regrettably, experienced dramatic setbacks as a result of factors linked with ethnicity, a lack of preparedness and a lack of flexibility. With respect to the Great Lakes region, Burundi welcomes the positive changes occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as they can contribute to improving the political situation and promote trade throughout the region. We can therefore only encourage this friendly and brotherly country to move ahead. We also urge the international community to support it. Rwanda, our neighbour, is making a great effort at stabilization and reconciliation. International solidarity vis- à-vis this country should also be encouraged. At the same time, it is deplorable to note that Congo (Brazzaville), a brotherly country, has also been the site of fratricidal confrontation. In that context, we welcome the efforts made by the President of Gabon, His Excellency Mr. Omar Bongo; by the Special Representative of the Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity (OAU), Mr. Mohamed Sahnoun; and by other mediators, national and international, in their efforts to find a negotiated settlement to the Congo problem. My Government encourages our Angolan brothers and sisters to complete the implementation of the Lusaka peace agreements. Following a protracted conflict, Liberia has successfully organized democratic elections with the support of the international community. We wish that country peace and stability. In the Middle East, the deadlock of the peace process between Israel and Palestine can be overcome only if hard- liners on both sides show greater flexibility. My Government has taken note of the report of the Secretary-General on the reform of the Organization. Insofar as it seeks greater efficiency and strives for mobilizing means not to maintain a hefty administration but rather to achieve the goal of international solidarity, particularly in the area of development, my Government supports that reform. My delegation shares with the Secretary-General his concern for efficiency and economy: efficiency in an administration that is streamlined, and efficiency in efforts to combat poverty as well as in efforts at capacity- building, particularly in the area of development. With respect to Security Council reform, my Government supports the provisions taken in the context of the last OAU Summit, which met in Harare, Zimbabwe. The terms of the common African position have recently been communicated by the Chairman of the OAU in this forum. Moreover, the developing countries must be properly represented in the Council. Beyond the question of representation, my delegation is convinced that reform of the Security Council must above all involve its methods of work and its adaptation to the requirements of today’s realities. In keeping with our position as stated during this session of the General Assembly, my Government firmly supports the establishment of an international criminal court that would be entrusted with prosecuting and punishing persons responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Despite the many difficulties that my country, Burundi, has faced since the national tragedy of October 1993, it has always sought to be present at the annual sessions of the General Assembly of our Organization. This assiduous presence attests to our unfaltering attachment to the lofty ideals promoted and defended by the United Nations. Despite the political and economic crisis exacerbated by the blockade abusively imposed upon my people, the Government of the Republic of Burundi has been able to remit an amount of $116,000 dollars since April 1997 as its contribution to the regular budget of the United Nations. Despite the difficult economic climate, Burundi will do its utmost to continue, to the extent that it is able, to honour its commitments and to support our Organization. Before concluding, I should like once again to recall that Burundi is resolved to emerge from this crisis affecting our country, and will do so through dialogue. The sooner the next session is programmed, the better. We hope that the obstacles that prevented the meeting of 25 August 1997 will be overcome. My country supports the principle of expanding the Security Council, but the methodology which will be adopted to that end is of decisive importance. We hope that all this reform will imbue the United Nations system 30 with the youthful vitality and energy necessary to redress the shortcomings of the past, to consolidate the achievements of the present and to lay solid and promising foundations for the beginning of the next millennium.