Dan Wallace
Question:46 Mr. D. Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the relative inaction of the United Nations in responding to the developing crisis in Burundi. [9301/96]
Written Answers. - Crisis in Burundi.
The continuing crisis in Burundi is a source of the gravest concern to the international community and to the people of the region. There is particular dismay at the recent deterioration in the situation there, after it had appeared in the early months of this year that the beginning of a process of dialogue was discernible. Once again, we are hearing reports of terrible atrocities on both sides and an apparent renewed hardening of positions.
The international community, under the leadership of the United Nations and with the active support of,inter alia the European Union and the Organisation of African Unity, the OAU, has sought to address the many issues involved in the Burundi conflict. There has been widespread agreement among those seeking to assist that the conflict can only be resolved by peaceful means. The OAU and individual African facilitators have been particularly prominent in the search for a solution. The current lead-initiative is that of Julius Nyerere, the former President of Tanzania. Mr. Nyerere, with the support and endorsement of the UN, the EU, the OAU and the international community generally, has been engaged for some months in a mission aimed at bringing the main protagonists around the negotiating table. Clearly, Mr. Nyerere is the figure in the region best placed — in terms of status and standing among the major protagonists — to broker a process of dialogue. Although, so far, Mr. Nyerere's efforts have not met with full success and the fighting has continued, he intends, nonetheless to persevere and we fully support his efforts.
The Deputy raised a specific point in regard to the role of the UN. The UN has been actively and urgently engaged in Burundi at many levels from the outset. Several UN agencies have been involved in the major task of addressing the humanitarian plight of the thousands of Burundians caught up in the conflict, including large numbers of refugees who have fled both to and from the country. The Security Council has been seized of the issue from the outset and has been following events closely. Its most recent Resolution — 1049 of 1996 — outlined a comprehensive list of measures aimed at addressing the many problems facing the country. The Secretary General has made personal representations to the protagonists on a regular basis through his Special Representatives in Burundi. The latter works closely with the OAU and the EU Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Aldo Ajello. In particular, he maintains close contact with Julius Nyerere, to whose mission the Secretary General has given full support and endorsement. Indeed, UN support was one of the pre-conditions of Mr Nyerere's acceptance of the mission and he regards it as critical to the success of his own efforts.
To underline the UN's concern about the deteroriation in the situation over the past few months, the Under Secretary General for Political Affairs, Marrack Goulding, visited Bujumbura recently and met with leading figures on both sides. He stressed again the urgency of a peaceful settlement. Meanwhile, in accordance with the terms of Resolution 1049, the Secretary General has been continuing contingency planning for a rapid humanitarian response in the event of widespread violence or a serious deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Burundi. Concern has been expressed in some quarters — including on the African side — about the wisdom of this initiative. But the Secretary General believes that the planning, at least, for such a mission should proceed to ensure readiness at short notice in the event that it is required. In addition, the UNDP has been working actively on a programme of rehabilitation and reconstruction — although work on this has been hampered by the continuing difficulties in regard to security.
There are no easy solutions to the situation in Burundi. It is grounded in deep-seated, ancient fears, mutual mistrust and the abiding memory of past atrocities on both sides. In that atmosphere, convincing people that dialogue and compromise offer the only solution is not easily done. In these delicate and difficult circumstances, it seems to me that the balance which the UN and its Secretary General have sought to strike between encouraging people to the negotiating table while making contingency plans for a humanitarian intervention is the correct one. I know that that is also the view of the EU Special Envoy, Ambassador Ajello, whom I met in Dublin recently. I look forward to working with him, Mr Nyerere, the UN, the OAU and other interested parties during our forthcoming Presidency, in support of their efforts towards the comprehensive and peaceful settlement of the problems of Burundi that we all seek.