Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Issue of the Peace Process for Burundi (Signing of the Peace Agreement)

August 31, 2000

On August 28, a peace agreement for Burundi was signed in Arusha, Tanzania, although some relevant parties in the negotiations were not present. Japan commends the efforts, leading to the signing of the peace agreement, of the former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, as well as the endeavors of the relevant parties in the conflict in Burundi and the Government of Tanzania who participated in the peace talks. Japan also hopes that the peace negotiations will be continued by all the parties concerned in the conflict toward achievement of a more steadfast peace agreement and that the peace and economic and racial restoration in Burundi will be realized at the earliest time possible.
Japan is deeply concerned that there have recently been attacks by armed groups involving civilians and strongly urges an immediate halt to acts like this that hamper the peace process and trample upon the human rights of civilians.
Japan has been supporting the Arusha Peace Process and has extended financial support to the holding of meetings pertaining to the peace process. Japan intends to continue to provide appropriate support toward the achievement of a peace agreement in which all the relevant parties will participate.

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