IRISH ROLE IN BURUNDI

Sir, - From his article (August 21st) it is obvious that Burundi is a far off country of which Vincent Browne knows little

Sir, - From his article (August 21st) it is obvious that Burundi is a far off country of which Vincent Browne knows little. Frankly I doubt if he could locate Burundi; on a blank map of Africa. Now, overnight, he is an expert with an instant response to a crisis that has been decades in the making.

The statement by the Irish Presidency which he derides (August 21st) is primarily a declaration of principles, as is the nature of such statements. It offers no indication of the immense effort underway for months to contain the Burundi situation and to find a democratic solution.

Mr Browne draws a comparison between the situation there and that of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994. There are undoubtedly similarities. But there are crucial differences as well. Perhaps the most significant of those is the fact that in the case of Burundi, there is a strong regional mechanism in place. This involves an intensive mediation process led by the former President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere. The heads of state of the region have developed a proposal to provide a military force which would create the necessary security conditions in Burundi to enable Mr Nyerere to conduct his negotiations successfully. The international community is fully supportive of this approach - it is likely that should a military intervention become necessary, it would be under a UN umbrella.

One option actively considered is that, under such a UN "umbrella", troops for such a force would be provided by the countries of the region, with logistical and financial support being provided by the international community. In the aftermath of the recent coup, the regional leaders have taken a strong stand, imposing sanctions on the new regime and insisting that there be a return to "constitutional order" in Burundi.

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The European Union has been taking an active part in this process. Its special envoy for the Africa Great Lakes Region, Mr Aldo Ajello - a diplomat who played a key role, as the special representative of the UN Secretary General, in brokering a successful political settlement to the long running war in Mozambique - is in constant contact with Mr Nyerere. I should also say that Mr Nyerere regards the support of the EU as critical to the success of his own work. Indeed one of the essential points of the declaration issue by the Irish Presidency on August 19th was to reiterate support for Mr Nyerere, and the regional leaders. Far from being waffle, as Mr Browne suggests, the declaration was regarded by Mr Nyerere as an important restatement of support at a critical point in the process. Intensive efforts are currently underway to broker a ceasefire between the Army and the Hutu militias, paving the way for full blown, inclusive negotiations under Mr Nyerere's chairmanship.

The Irish Presidency has been intensively involved in this process, both in terms of co ordinating European policy and in keeping in the closest contact with the region. The Tanaiste and I will meet Mr Ajello shortly in Dublin, for consultations on the next steps. I have just returned from a visit to the region during which I had discussions on Burundi with President Museveni of Uganda, President Bizimungu and Vice President Kagame of Rwanda and Mr Nyerere in Dar es Salaam. At my meeting with Mr Nyerere, he warmly expressed his appreciation of the support of Ireland in his mediation efforts. Burundi was, of course, high on the agenda of discussions which we had with Vice President Kagame when he visited Dublin subsequently.

In the coming weeks and months, Ireland, together with our European partners, will continue to follow the situation in Burundi with the closest attention, providing support to the critical work of Mr Nyerere and the regional leaders. The situation we are dealing with is profoundly complex and long standing, with deeply felt and legitimate fears on both sides. The challenge is to find an accommodation which combines democratic structures and institutions with guarantees of security for all sections of society. The Nyerere mediation process represents, I believe, the best hope of meeting that challenge and avoiding a further catastrophe and further terrible loss of life in Burundi. - Yours etc.,

Minister of State at the

Department of Foreign Affairs,

Dublin 2.