STATEMENTS TO THE PRESS
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

28 JUNE 2000
Burundi - Iraq

Burundi

• The members of the Security Council heard today a briefing on Burundi.

• The members of the Council reiterate their strong support to the Facilitator of the Arusha Process, Nelson Mandela, and urge all parties to cooperate fully with him in order to reach a peace agreement as soon as possible.

• The members of the Council note the efforts of the Government of Burundi in the peace process. They welcome in particular the commitments expressed by President Buyoya on the dismantlement of regroupment camps and on the composition of the national armed forces. They encourage the President of Burundi to continue his efforts. They welcome the closure of some regroupment camps and expect the Government to complete this process.

• The members of the Council condemn the continued violence and call on all armed groups to cease their military action and to join the political process. They strongly urge the leaders of the rebel groups to cooperate with the Facilitator and to join effectively the next meeting of the peace process in July.

• The members of the Council call on all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law and to allow access for humanitarian aid.

• The members of the Council reiterate their call on donors to resume substantial economic and development assistance to Burundi with due regard to security conditions.

• The members of the Council welcome the appointment of the new Representative of the Secretary General in Burundi, M. Arnault, and express their support to his efforts.

Iraq

• The members of the Security Council are dismayed by the attack by a gunman, this morning on the Food and Agriculture Organization building in Baghdad resulting in the loss of two lives and in injuries among FAO staff members.

• The members of the Council express their condolences to the families of the deceased and to the Governments concerned.

• The members of the Council reiterate the need to continue to ensure respect for the security and safety of all persons directly involved in the implementation of the humanitarian programme. The Iraqi Authorities are conducting an investigation on the event and the members of the Council would like to have its result as soon as possible.

• The members of the Council reiterate their strong support to the difficult work of the humanitarian agencies in Iraq and of the Office of the Iraq Programme.