VZCZCXYZ0010
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJB #0204/01 0811130
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 221130Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0148
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUJUMBURA 000204 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/C 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017/03/21 
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL BY
SUBJECT: BURUNDI: NEW FNL DEMANDS COULD STALL REINTEGRATION 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Moller for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary:  During meetings with Deputy Assistant 
Secretary (DAS) for African Affairs, James Swan, the 
 
SIPDIS 
Government of Burundi (GOB) responded to U.S. concerns about 
stagnation in the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism 
(JVMM) initiative due to new PALIPEHUTU-FNL demands.  The 
demands pertain to the release of FNL members remaining in 
custody, support for PALIPEHUTU-FNL members and families, and 
forgiveness of debts totaling $350,000.  The GOB stressed 
that the Burundian government is trying to react positively 
and urged the U.S. not to be discouraged by the most recent 
PALIPEHUTU-FNL demands.  DAS Swan and the Minister of 
External Relations and Cooperation, Antoinette Batumbwara 
agreed that it would be useful for South African Facilitator 
Charles Ngakula to re-engage personally during this delicate 
phase of peace accord implementation.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) This cable is the second in a series of three 
discussing DAS Swan,s visit to Burundi.  The first cable 
will highlight DAS Swan,s message of appreciation to the 
government of Burundi (GOB) and recent events that threaten 
Burundi's progress.  The last in the series will focus on DAS 
Swan,s discussion with the Ministry of Defense on the 
subject of Burundi,s contribution to the Somali peacekeeping 
effort. 
 
¶3. (U) During a visit to Burundi March 11 - 13, DAS Swan 
asked GOB officials about the progress of the Joint 
Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JVMM), which is 
reportedly stalled due to new PALIPEHUTU-FNL demands to 
ensure their continued participation.  The demands include 
the release of all PALIPEHUTU-FNL members in prisons 
throughout the country, the provision of food to support FNL 
members and families, and forgiveness of debts totaling 
$350,000.  Despite the PALIPEHUTU-FNL's latest threats to 
suspend their participation in the JVMM, Burundi's First Vice 
President, Dr. Martin Nduwimana, reinforced the government's 
determination to move forward. 
 
¶4. (C) President Pierre Nkurunziza suggested to DAS Swan that 
a problem in the leadership within PALIPEHUTU-FNL might be an 
explanation to the setbacks and delays in the peace process. 
President Nkurunziza believes that the recent demands, 
particularly the financial claims, are being made for the 
benefit of individuals rather than the PALIPEHUTU-FNL as an 
organization.  In a separate meeting, First Vice President 
Nduwimana urged the U.S. not to be discouraged by the most 
recent PALIPEHUTU-FNL demands.  Nduwimana emphasized the 
progress made to promote the inclusion of the PALIPEHUTU-FNL 
in military and civilian institutions. 
 
¶5. (C) According to Nduwimana, the PALIPEHUTU-FNL is adopting 
stalling tactics.  He claimed their demands are not included 
in the peace agreement of September 2006 but added that the 
government, as in the past, is trying to react positively. 
For example, with regard to the release of prisoners, he 
noted that President Nkurunziza has been receptive to 
PALIPEHUTU-FNL requests.  However, he opined, the 
PALIPEHUTU-FNL rarely reacts to negotiations spontaneously. 
He suggests positive progress seems only to be made after 
strong pressure from the Tripartite Plus, regional 
initiatives or third-party facilitation. 
 
¶6. (C) According to Nduwimana, the request by the 
PALIPEHUTU-FNL for debt relief is addressed to the 
international community.  Nduwimana suggested it would be 
useful to have the South African facilitation review and 
comment upon the PALIPEHUTU-FNL demands.  The GOB does not 
have the funds to satisfy the PALIPEHUTU-FNL.  DAS Swan 
suggested that, regardless of their financial resources, a 
response from the GOB would probably be perceived by the 
PALIPEHUTU-FNL as a positive signal of goodwill and openness. 
 Nduwimana countered that &it takes two to tango8 to arrive 
at satisfactory agreements.  Nduwimana noted that the GOB, on 
many occasions, has invited the FNL to meet in discussion of 
financial assistance.  He commented that if the FNL had 
respected the time frames in the cease-fire agreement, the 
GOB would have fulfilled its financial obligations.  At the 
outset of the peace agreement process, for example, the 
PALIPEHUTU-FNL refused $20,000 offered by the GOB. 
 
¶7. (C) Comment: In view of the new PALIPEHUTU-FNL demands, it 
would be useful for the South African mediation to engage 
more actively to ensure that peace accord implementation 
remains on track.  In a conversation with Minister Batumbwira 
on the margins of the Tripartite Plus Ministerial in Kigali, 
DAS Swan suggested that it would be useful for South African 
Facilitator Ngakula make another visit to Burundi.  She 
agreed that Ngakula's personal involvement would be helpful 
in determining how to respond to the new demands of the 
PALIPEHUTU-FNL.  End Comment. 
MOLLER