UN General Assembly
2004

to that Mission. It goes without saying that the elections scheduled for 2005 will be crucial. They will require substantial human and financial means, to which Belgium has already decided it will contribute. With regard to the situation in Rwanda, we offer our full support to the praiseworthy efforts made to achieve reconciliation. Normalized relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are absolutely indispensable and must be based on collaboration and good-neighbourly relations. This implies a mutual respect of the borders. In many regards, the latest developments in Burundi are encouraging. A constitution has been adopted, a referendum has been announced and an electoral commission is in place. Elections are essential, of course, which is why Belgium has provided significant financial backing to their organization. I urge the international community to specify without delay what resources it is ready to mobilize for this purpose. Belgium shares the concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. There is no excuse for the persecution and systematic massacre of thousands of human beings. Given the scale of the suffering, the