VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHJB #0421 2330911
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 200911Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1089
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHSA/AMEMBASSY PRETORIA PRIORITY 0142
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0056
UNCLAS BUJUMBURA 000421
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL BY
SUBJECT: GOB AND REBEL LEADERSHIP COMMIT TO RESOLVING
DIFFERENCES
1. In an August 18 briefing, South African facilitator
Charles Nqakula told the diplomatic corps that Burundian
President Pierre Nkurunziza and rebel group PALIPEHUTU-FNL
Chairman Agathon Rwasa will meet August 19,21,26 and 28 in
closed sessions to remove current stumbling blocks to the
stalled peace process. At the conclusion of the final
meeting, the two parties will report back to the facilitator
the results of these negotiations. The facilitator will
address any outstanding issues at that time. Nqakula
stressed during the meeting that the South African mandate to
conclude the peace process will expire on December 31, 2008,
with no hope for renewal. However, Nqakula expressed
optimism that peace will be concluded by the end of 2008 as
Burundians are now taking responsibility to "resolve their
differences in the best interest of the country."
Moller