REVISED PROGRAMME OF ACTION TO FURTHER THE BURUNDI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRETORIA 001283 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR AF/C, AF/S E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KDEM BY SF SUBJECT: REVISED PROGRAMME OF ACTION TO FURTHER THE BURUNDI PEACE PROCESS REF: A. PRETORIA 428 ¶B. PRETORIA 775 ¶C. PRETORIA 799 This cable is Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet distribution. ¶1. The SAG hosted a meeting of special envoys and diplomatic representatives in South Africa from June 9-10, 2008 (SEPTEL). Prior to this session, The SAG distributed a revised program of action to further the Burundi peace process. Text follows: ¶2. Begin text: Revised programme of action to further the Burundi peace process 4 June 2008 Following the recent positive developments in the Burundi peace process, in particular the return of the Palipehutu-FNL leader, Mr. Agathon Rwasa, on 30 May 2008 and in order to capitalize on this momentum, there is a need to revisit the Facilitator's programme of action. Timelines: First Phase: January 2008: - Talks resume in Dar-es-Salaam between the leadership of the Palipehutu-FNL and the Facilitation. February/March 2008: Political Directorate and Palipehutu-FNL leadership discussed in Dar-es-Salaam on the following matters: -- Concerns of the Palipehutu-FNL regarding the process; -- Programme of Action and immediate priorities; -- Preparation for the return to the JVMM, including security arrangements. May 2008: - Resumption of Palipehutu-FNL participation in the JVMM; - Establishment of remaining Joint Liaison Teams; - All Liaison Teams formulate their programmes; - The Palipehutu-FNL leadership return to Burundi to be part of the Peace Process; June 2008: - Liaison Team on the Release of War and Political Prisoners starts its work; - Under the auspices of the United Nations and the African Union, a team of technical advisors in Burundi develop a strategy and practical modalities for facilitating socio-economic reintegration at the community level for the Palipehutu-FNL and other demobilized combatants, for presentation to the GSEB; - Discussion start, under the auspices of the Political Directorate, to produce a political framework for the inclusion of the Palipehutu-FNL into the national institutions, as well as the modalities for the transformation of Palipehutu-FNL into a registered political party; - Discussions begin on the implementation of the Agreement of Principles adopted on July 18, 2006 in Dar-es-Salaam; PRETORIA 00001283 002 OF 002 - Release of War and Political Prisoners; - Movement of Palipehutu-FNL combatants to Assembly Areas and Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration process commences; - Meeting of the Group of Special Envoys for Burundi to review progress in the implementation of the peace process. July 2008: - The Palipehutu-FNL transforms into a political party. Its members fully participate in the political, social and economic life of Burundi; - The implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement is completed in all aspects; - Agreements reached within the context of the political framework to include the Palipehutu-FNL in the institutions of power in Burundi are implemented. Second Phase: August-December 2008: - Political Directorate monitors the reintegration of the Palipehutu-FNL to ensure that it happens within the full scope of the agreements reached between the Government and the Palipehutu-FNL; - The Political Directorate monitors and reports on the implementation of the socio-economic reintegration of the Palipehutu-FNL and other demobilized combatants. End text. BOST