NEWS RELEASES
CANADA SUPPORTS ARUSHA DECLARATION ON BURUNDI
August 8, 1996 No. 138
CANADA SUPPORTS ARUSHA DECLARATION ON BURUNDI
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Minister for International Co-operation and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie Pierre S. Pettigrew today
expressed support for the Arusha Declaration. The Declaration was made by the
Heads of State and of Government of Central Africa's Great Lakes region at the end
of the second subregional summit on Burundi, held July 31 in Arusha, Tanzania.
The Ministers also gave their support to the resolutions and undertakings made
during the course of the Summit, with the aim of restoring peace and security in
Burundi.
"The firm, courageous stand taken by the region's Heads of State and of Government
in favour of an immediate return to constitutional order and democratic process in
Burundi has earned our admiration and our full support," said Mr. Axworthy.
The July 31 Declaration calls on Burundi's current regime to restore the National
Assembly and political parties. The countries taking part in the Summit also
agreed to impose economic sanctions on Burundi in order to encourage all the
warring elements, including the armed parties and factions within and outside the
country, to meet at the negotiating table.
"Canada stands ready, with other donors, to support reconstruction in Burundi, but
there must be stability and peace for this effort to succeed," said Mr. Pettigrew.
"The first step is negotiations, and we join the region's leaders in urging that
peace talks take place immediately."
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Lappe
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
Chris Neal
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency
(819) 953-9505
This document is also available on the Department's Internet site at
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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