SPECIAL ENVOYS BURUNDI - MAGALIESBURG COMMUNIQUE -

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRETORIA 001340 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR AF/C, AF/S E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KDEM BY SF SUBJECT: SPECIAL ENVOYS BURUNDI - MAGALIESBURG COMMUNIQUE - 10 JUNE 2008 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). After this session, the SAG distributed the Magaliesburg Communique on the Burundi Peace Process. Text follows: ¶2. Begin text: Magaliesburg Communique on the Burundi Peace Process 10 June 2008 At the invitation of H.E. Minister Charles Nqakula, South African Facilitator of the Burundi Peace process, the Group of Special Envoys on Burundi met in Magaliesburg, South Africa from 9 to 10 June 2008 with delegations of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL and the Government of Burundi. Mr. Agathon Rwasa headed the PALIPEHUTU-FNL delegation of the Government of Burundi was headed by Major-General Evariste Ndayishimiye. The Group of Special Envoys on Burundi congratulated the Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL on the major steps taken in the peace process in the past month, including the return to Burundi of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL leadership and Chairman Agathon Rwasa; the resumption of the work of the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM); the cessation of hostilities between the parties and the adoption of a Joint Operational Plan on the disarmament, demobilization, and the reintegration of PALIPEHUTU-FNL combatants. The Group of Special Envoys on Burundi welcomed the commitment of both parties to build confidence and move the peace process forward. It noted with satisfaction the common messages delivered by the Government of Burundi and the PALIPEHUTU-FNL on the root causes and consequences of the conflict as well as the key socio-economic challenges facing Burundi. The Group of Special Envoys on Burundi expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation for the recent achievements and ongoing efforts of the Regional Peace Initiative for Peace in Burundi; the South African Facilitation; and the Political Directorate. It acknowledged the financial and military assistance provided by the Government of South Africa as well as that of Burundi's international partners in support of the Burundi peace process. The Group of Special Envoys on Burundi appealed to all political actors in Burundi to refrain from any action that could jeopardize the progress achieved and underscored that the primary responsibility for the successful and earliest conclusion of the peace process lie with the Government of Burundi and the PALIPEHUTU-FNL. The Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL renounced violence and undertook to resolve all their differences by dialogue. They agreed to fully respect the timelines outlined in the Revised Programme of Action to Take Further the Burundi Peace Process, including the implementation of the agreements signed in 2006. Both parties will endevour to address simultaneously all the outstanding political issues, including the political accommodation of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL in national institutions as well as the integration of its combatants in the security and defence forces. The Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL undertook to QThe Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL undertook to take specific initiatives in order to sensitize the national institutions, Palipehutu-FNL members, and the population on the ongoing peace process; refrain from any inflammatory action or declaration; and find as soon as possible a PRETORIA 00001340 002 OF 002 mutually acceptable solution to the question of the registration and the name of the Palipehutu-FNL as a political party. The Group of Special Envoys on Burundi undertook to continue to accompany the efforts of the Facilitation and to the Political Directorate. In this context, the Group of Special Envoys on Burundi will continue mobilising the international community to provide financial support to the Facilitation and the peace process, including interceding with donors on the provision of humanitarian assistance until the confusion of the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration process. The Group of Special Envoys on Burundi expressed its intention to support the transformation of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL into a political party, including the provision of training its cadres. The Group of Special Envoys on Burundi will also pay special attention to the reintegration aspects of the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration process of PALIPEHUTU-FNL combatants. It will promote security sector reform efforts for the integration of PALIPEHUTU-FNL members in the national security forces. In order to help create an environment conducive to the peace process, the Group of Special Envoys on Burundi agreed to consider ways of providing financial support to the Government of Burundi to address the pressures caused by rising prices of food and fuel. All participants thanked the Government and people of South Africa for their gracious hospitality in hosting this important meeting. End text. TEITELBAUM