B4-1010, 1015, 1019, 1033, 1038, 1045 and 1074/96

Resolution on the situation in Burundi

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in Burundi,

- having regard to the Council statements on Burundi, in particular those of 26 July and 19 August 1996,

A. dismayed at the coup of 25 July 1996 against the civil authorities democratically elected in June 1993,

B. deeply concerned by the persistent instability in Burundi and the recent escalation of fighting that followed Major Buyoya's coup;

C. protesting at the coercion still being brought to bear on the President, Sylvestre Ntibantunganya,

D. profoundly shocked by the assassination of the archbishop, Mgr. Ruhuna, during an ambush on 9 September 1996 which also claimed two other victims,

E. deeply concerned at the departure from the country of the various intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations,

F. convinced that general political negotiations need to be achieved in Burundi, involving without exception all the political components of that country's society, including the rebels, in order to stop the escalation of violence, promote stability and re-establish democracy in the country,

G. whereas regional leaders imposed economic and diplomatic sanctions on Burundi following the coup, to force Major Buyoya to negotiate in order to end an ethnic civil war that has claimed an estimated 150 000 lives in the last three years,

H. pointing out the responsibilities of neighbouring countries, Zaire in particular, which continue to tolerate the reorganization of extremist gangs and the illegal trade in weapons,

1. Resolutely condemns the coup of 25 July 1996 by means of which Major Pierre Buyoya came to power and calls for the re-establishment of the rule of law and constitutional government in Burundi;

2. Appeals to all the parties concerned for an immediate ceasefire in order to create safe conditions throughout the country and facilitate political dialogue and to start direct discussions relating to the peacemaking efforts of the former President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, in particular as regards institutional matters including the reform of the armed forces and security forces and the judicial system;

3. Calls on the relevant European institutions and the Member States not to recognize the authority of the new regime in Bujumbura, but to make efforts to achieve dialogue and to restore a climate of confidence and security;

4. Supports fully the peace efforts deployed by the regional leaders, the OAU, the EU special envoy and Julius Nyerere, and encourages them to continue their work;

5. Welcomes the pressure which the international community has already exerted on Major Buyoya's regime and supports the embargo imposed by the neighbouring African countries on Burundi until constitutional legality has been re-established;

6. Stresses that this embargo should be extended to cover arms and ammunition;

7. Condemns forcefully the assassination of Mgr. Ruhuna, and of two other persons during the ambush of Gitega, and calls on the local authorities to institute legal proceedings against those responsible for these murders; recalls in this connection that none of the investigations into the murders of foreign humanitarian and religious representatives, in particular three ICRC delegates and three Italian missionaries, has yet produced any results;

8. Insists that the UN Security Council must take action in order to respond to the request from its Secretary-General with regard to the creation of a prevention force for Burundi;

9. Welcomes the announcement made by some African countries concerning contributing troops to such a force;

10. Warns the governments of neighbouring countries, in particular Zaire, that unless they cease all support - whether financial, logistical, military or political - for the Burundi extremists, their relations with the EU will be affected;

11. Demands that the individuals involved in the murder of President Ndadaye, according to the report published by the UN committee of inquiry, be handed over to the judicial authorities without delay;

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the government of Burundi, the Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the OAU and the Co-Presidents of the ACP-EU Joint Assembly.