Trevor Sargent
Question:17 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support the creation of a peace-keeping force for Burundi in order to prevent a repeat of the tragic events in Rwanda. [7419/95]
Written Answers. - Peace-Keeping Force for Burundi.
In my reply to the House of 4 April I expressed the Government's deep concern about the escalation in violence in Burundi and the further displacement of thousands of refugees. I also outlined the continuing efforts of the EU, UN and OAU to mediate in the crisis and bring about a return to stable democratic government in Burundi.
The Government considers that all political parties and other forces should implement the terms of the Convention of Government which was agreed by the parties in Burundi on 10 September. The provisions of the Convention provide the institutional framework for national reconciliation in Burundi. Both the President and Prime Minister, who belong to the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups respectively, signed a joint declaration on 30 March. In it they committed themselves to the priority objectives of peace, reconciliation and reconstruction to be implemented over a three-year period. Ireland and the international community see the Convention process as the optimum internal solution based on consensus.
In March 1994 the United Nations sent a fact-finding mission to Burundi to investigate the attempted coup and atrocities of October 1993 and the means of UN support for a return to civil peace. A further Security Council Mission visited Burundi on 10-11 February this year.
The February 1995 Mission recommended that an international Commission of Inquiry be established to investigate the 1993 coup and its after-math and that the UNHCHR deploy human rights monitors throughout the country. It also called for the implementation of the Convention of Government by all parties and an increase in the OAU presence in Burundi.
The question of a peacekeeping force did not form part of the recommendations of either Security Council mission.
More recently, the United Nations Special Representative to Burundi, Mr. Abdallah, who has played on important role in sustaining dialogue between the conflicting parties, has publicly stated that he does not consider foreign intervention appropriate at this time. He has underscored the fact that Burundi has a functioning President and Government. The President of Burundi expressed his opposition to foreign military intervention on similar grounds during his visit to Rome on 11 May.
In its Declaration of 19 March at Carcassonne, the European Union has confirmed its determination to give strong backing to the process of the Convention of Government and is actively engaged in urging all political parties, military forces and sectors of civilian society to respect and implement it in a spirit of dialogue, moderation and compromise. In its Common Position of 24 March, the EU committed itself to assisting the Burundi Government in organising a national debate to consolidate national reconciliation and to reconstruct democracy.
The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) has had a contingent of military and civilian observers deployed in Berundi for over a year and the Burundi authorities have recently agreed that its presence be increased. The EU will support the OAU operation in accordance with its common position of 24 March which Ireland strongly supports.