Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07PRETORIA1077
2007-03-27 11:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Pretoria
Cable title:
VAN ECK SAYS FNL WANTS POLITICAL TALKS
how-toVZCZCXRO6349 RR RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHSA #1077 0861144 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 271144Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8894 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 0955 RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 2043 RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 1049 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1148 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1040 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 0458 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 001077
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/C G. MALLORY, AF/S M. TABLER-STONE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2017
TAGS: PREL BY SF
SUBJECT: VAN ECK SAYS FNL WANTS POLITICAL TALKS
REF: A. BUJUMBURA 165
B. BUJUMBURA 204
C. PRETORIA 293
Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Catherine Kay. Reasons 1.4(b
) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRETORIA 001077
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/C G. MALLORY, AF/S M. TABLER-STONE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2017
TAGS: PREL BY SF
SUBJECT: VAN ECK SAYS FNL WANTS POLITICAL TALKS
REF: A. BUJUMBURA 165
B. BUJUMBURA 204
C. PRETORIA 293
Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Catherine Kay. Reasons 1.4(b
) and (d).
1. (C) Burundi's last remaining rebel group, the
Palipehutu-FNL, refuses to rejoin the peace process until the
Government of Burundi (GOB) agrees to negotiate "political
issues" with them, according to Institute for Security
Studies (ISS) analyst (and de facto FNL advisor) Jan van Eck
(protect). The FNL pulled out of the key body implementing
the ceasefire accord, the Joint Verification Monitoring
Mechanism (JVMM),on March 8. The FNL also wants the GOB to
release FNL political prisoners, as agreed in the ceasefire
accord, and to provide food to its combatants. Van Eck, who
met with the FNL delegation in Bujumbura March 27, told
PolOff by telephone from Burundi that the FNL "will not
budge" from its position. He views the current impasse as a
"tipping point" in the peace process.
2. (C) From the FNL perspective, these are not new demands.
The GOB, backed by the South African Facilitation, promised
the FNL they would hold talks on the political issues raised
in the June 18 Principles accord. This has not happened.
Despite the current focus on military issues, the FNL
believes the Agreement on Principles toward Lasting Peace,
Security and Stability in Burundi (signed June 18, 2006) is
just as important to the peace process as the Comprehensive
Ceasefire Agreement (signed September 7, 2006).
3. (C) Van Eck believes that the South African Facilitation
has lost leverage with the GOB because the Nkurunziza
government views South Africa as too close to former CNDD-FDD
party leader Hussein Rajabu. Van Eck is not aware of any
plans by the Facilitator of the peace process, SAG Minister
of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula, to travel to Burundi.
The South African military general who heads the JVMM only
has a mandate to deal with the technicalities of cantonment
and disarmament, not political issues.
4. (C) Turning to the domestic situation, van Eck has heard
multiple reports during his trip about the "weakening
position" of President Nkurunziza. The departure of Rajabu
has left a "power vacuum," with no strong person to take firm
decisions. Van Eck says that Nkurunziza is not filling -- or
is unable to fill -- the vacuum.
BOST
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/C G. MALLORY, AF/S M. TABLER-STONE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2017
TAGS: PREL BY SF
SUBJECT: VAN ECK SAYS FNL WANTS POLITICAL TALKS
REF: A. BUJUMBURA 165
B. BUJUMBURA 204
C. PRETORIA 293
Classified By: Deputy Political Counselor Catherine Kay. Reasons 1.4(b
) and (d).
1. (C) Burundi's last remaining rebel group, the
Palipehutu-FNL, refuses to rejoin the peace process until the
Government of Burundi (GOB) agrees to negotiate "political
issues" with them, according to Institute for Security
Studies (ISS) analyst (and de facto FNL advisor) Jan van Eck
(protect). The FNL pulled out of the key body implementing
the ceasefire accord, the Joint Verification Monitoring
Mechanism (JVMM),on March 8. The FNL also wants the GOB to
release FNL political prisoners, as agreed in the ceasefire
accord, and to provide food to its combatants. Van Eck, who
met with the FNL delegation in Bujumbura March 27, told
PolOff by telephone from Burundi that the FNL "will not
budge" from its position. He views the current impasse as a
"tipping point" in the peace process.
2. (C) From the FNL perspective, these are not new demands.
The GOB, backed by the South African Facilitation, promised
the FNL they would hold talks on the political issues raised
in the June 18 Principles accord. This has not happened.
Despite the current focus on military issues, the FNL
believes the Agreement on Principles toward Lasting Peace,
Security and Stability in Burundi (signed June 18, 2006) is
just as important to the peace process as the Comprehensive
Ceasefire Agreement (signed September 7, 2006).
3. (C) Van Eck believes that the South African Facilitation
has lost leverage with the GOB because the Nkurunziza
government views South Africa as too close to former CNDD-FDD
party leader Hussein Rajabu. Van Eck is not aware of any
plans by the Facilitator of the peace process, SAG Minister
of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula, to travel to Burundi.
The South African military general who heads the JVMM only
has a mandate to deal with the technicalities of cantonment
and disarmament, not political issues.
4. (C) Turning to the domestic situation, van Eck has heard
multiple reports during his trip about the "weakening
position" of President Nkurunziza. The departure of Rajabu
has left a "power vacuum," with no strong person to take firm
decisions. Van Eck says that Nkurunziza is not filling -- or
is unable to fill -- the vacuum.
BOST