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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJB #0289/01 1071530
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 171530Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0005
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0231
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUEHFN/AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 0001

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUJUMBURA 000289 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/C AND IO/UNP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2017 
TAGS: EFIN KPKO SOCI UNGA PREL BY
SUBJECT: UN PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION VISIT TO BURUNDI 
 
REF: A. USUN NEW YORK 285 
     ¶B. BUJUMBURA 266 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Patricia Moller for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D.) 
 
¶1.  (C) Summary: The UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) has 
identified four priority areas in which to work in Burundi, 
according to a delegation which visited Bujumbura April 
11-14.  The PBC is now preparing an integrated peacebuilding 
strategy which will focus on good governance, rule of law, 
security sector reform, and community recovery.  They urged 
Burundi to continue to work to implement a cease-fire 
agreement with the rebel PALIPEHUTU-FNL noting that only 
Burundi itself could create a stable political climate.  The 
delegation also pledged to help Burundi mobilize additional 
resources for development, while noting the PBC would not 
serve as another donor mechanism.  Privately, however, the 
head of the PBC delegation commented that the Burundian 
government may be expecting too much of the Peacebuilding 
Commission.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (U) In a visit to Burundi April 11-14, a UN Peacebuilding 
Commission (PBC) delegation emphasized that it would focus on 
four priority areas: good governance, rule of law, security 
sector reform, and community recovery.  The PBC plans to work 
with the Government of Burundi (GOB) to develop an integrated 
peacebuilding strategy, which it expects to complete by 
midsummer.  The Chair of the delegation, Ambassador Johan 
Levald, Norway's Permanent Representative to the United 
Nations, indicated that the peacebuilding process must be a 
broad based effort, rather than exclusively a donor process. 
The PBC recognized the importance of upcoming Donor Round 
Table, scheduled for May 24-25, noting that the PBC hoped to 
provide added value to the discussions there. 
 
¶3.  (U) The PBC delegation's Burundi program included 
meetings with senior government officials, including 
President Pierre Nkurunziza, First Vice President Martin 
Nduwimana, Minister Of External Relations Antoinette 
Batumubwira, Minister of Justice Clotilde Niragira, and 
senior leaders of the Senate and National Assembly.  The 
group also met with members of political parties, civil 
society, the private sector, and religious leaders, as well 
as with the diplomatic corps.  UN organizers invited 
locally-based diplomats from PBC member nations to 
participate in some of the events, which also included a 
day-long field trip to Gitega, two hours east of Bujumbura. 
 
Support for Economic Development 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) PBC delegation members emphasized that their 
message to the GOB was one of support and encouragement.  The 
delegation recognized that the GOB sought to use the PBC 
visit as preparation for the Donor Round Table, particularly 
as a means to attract additional support.  Ambassador Levald 
privately confided that Burundi seemed to expect too much of 
the Peacebuilding Commission, seeing it perhaps as a means to 
obtain extensive financing.  Nonetheless, Ambassador Levald 
and his delegation stressed both publicly and privately that 
the PBC did not intend to duplicate other ongoing projects; 
rather, it would work with the GOB to define areas of 
responsibility.  In its discussions with GOB officials, the 
delegation reiterated the UN's commitment to help Burundi to 
consolidate peace and to assist in resource mobilization to 
combat poverty and promote  community recovery.  The 
delegation stressed the importance of an open political 
dialogue, respect for human rights, and good governance. 
They warned that the delays in implementing the cease fire 
agreement with the PALIPEHUTU-FNL could jeopardize the 
long-term stability of the country.  While the PBC itself 
could provide support for capacity building, only Burundi 
could provide the necessary political stability to encourage 
economic development. 
 
¶5.  (U) Burundian officials stressed that although Burundi 
has made tremendous progress, it continues to face political 
challenges.  The country's biggest challenge, according to 
First Vice President Nduwimana, is the need to bridge 
political, social and economic gaps within the society. 
Burundi has already adopted a Poverty Reduction Strategy, 
noted Foreign Minister Batumubwira; now, it is seeking full 
financing for the plan.  Burundi would rely on support and 
advocacy both from its donor partners and from the PBC 
itself.  In order to garner support for the upcoming Round 
Table, Burundi planned to dispatch emissaries abroad to meet 
with current and potential donor nations; she urged the PBC 
to approach these countries simultaneously, on Burundi's 
behalf, in order to bolster donor confidence. 
 
The Problem of the FNL 
---------------------- 
 
¶6.  (U) Many interlocutors stressed the need to establish a 
secure peace by resolving outstanding issues with the FNL. 
Foreign Minister Batumubwira noted the need for patience and 
perseverance in order to reach a lasting agreement. 
Opposition political leaders asserted that in order to 
consolidate peace, it would be essential to negotiate with 
FNL head Agathon Rwasa and other armed groups which remain 
outside the government.  They urged the PBC to support such 
talks, asking further that the PBC encourage the GOB to 
facilitate a dialogue between all political parties. 
Political reps lamented that the opposition currently does 
not play a constructive role in government, since both sides 
are still learning their respective roles in a democratic 
society. 
 
¶7.  (U) The delegation also expressed concerns about the 
justice sector and the issue of impunity.  Asked which crimes 
would be subject to justice and not subject to amnesty, 
Minister of Justice Niragira replied that international 
crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against 
humanity could never be subject to amnesty or impunity. 
Minister Nirargira added that the GOB is in the process of 
analyzing all existing laws and would propose necessary 
amendments in order to put into place a justice system which 
would reflect the country's current circumstances. 
 
¶8.  (U) Both political and religious leaders urged the PBC to 
work with Burundi to establish a Truth and Reconciliation 
Commission (TRC).  Clerics, in particular, believed they 
could play a critical role in creating an atmosphere of trust 
and forgiveness in which a TRC could work.  The three 
prelates - of the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Islamic 
faiths - agreed that a successful TRC must state facts 
truthfully and faithfully.  At the same time, the judiciary 
must resolve the question of impunity.  Finally, they said, 
reconciliation must lead to community reintegration without 
reference to compensation. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶9.  (C) Although the delegation publicly expressed 
satisfaction with the results of their visit, some members 
acknowledged privately that many of the meetings were of 
limited utility.  Although the schedule included sessions 
with representatives of each of the major sectors in 
Burundian public life, the visit itself appeared poorly 
organized.  In more than one instance, the sheer numbers of 
attendees, combined with the limited amount of time allotted 
for each session, hampered an active exchange of ideas. 
Although the delegation explained clearly its goals for its 
mission, it is less likely that their meetings provided them 
as comprehensive a contextual background as they may have 
hoped to receive. 
BREITER