ELEMENTS FOR A STATEMENT TO THE PRESS
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
BURUNDI
- Members of the Security Council have been informed of the signing ceremony and the contents of the Arusha Agreement, as well as the most recent developments in the negotiations in Burundi, by Under-Secretary-General Prendergast, who represented the Secretary-General at the ceremony.
- Members of the Council welcomed the Signing of the Agreement and congratulated President Mandela, the Facilitation Team, as well as the Burundian parties for their efforts, which constitutes an important step towards national reconciliation.
- Members of the Council encouraged the signatories to implement the provisions of these agreements which can already be carried out.
- Members of the Council endorsed the urgent appeal by the signatories, which called on the armed groups to suspend further hostilities. They called on the armed groups to join in the negotiations and to sign the Agreement.
- Members of the Council encouraged the negotiators to step up their efforts in order to reach a compromise on the outstanding issues and on the implementation timetable.
- Members of the Council urged all the parties concerned to create conditions for an early commencement of implementation of the agreement which would facilitate the return of refugees and IDP’s to their homes in safety and dignity.
- Members of the Council took note that a conference of donor countries will be held in Brussels on 15 September 2000. They called on the international community to assist the Government of Burundi in its reconstruction efforts.