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Burundi: Dispute over massacre

2004-12-02 11:44

United Nations - The United States strongly disagreed with key European countries who supported Burundi's decision to ask the International Criminal Court to investigate the August massacre at a United Nations refugee camp, even though it voted for a resolution calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

The dispute arose on Wednesday after the UN Security Council unanimously approved a six-month extension of the UN peacekeeping mission in Burundi and threatened "appropriate measures" against rebels blocking peace and national reconciliation.

The resolution adopted by the council also calls on the governments of Congo and Rwanda to co-operate with Burundi to complete the investigation into the massacre and ensure "that those responsible are brought to justice."

France's UN Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere welcomed Burundi's intention to refer the massacre to the court - the world's first permanent war crimes tribunal - once its internal investigation is completed, as did Britain, Germany and Spain.

US opposes court

The United States, however, vehemently opposes the court, arguing that it could be used for frivolous or politically motivated prosecution of American troops. By contrast, all European Union countries back the court.

US Ambassador John Danforth told the council he voted for the resolution on the understanding that it in no way "directed, encouraged or authorised" the UN mission in Burundi co-operate with or support the International Criminal Court.

Danforth called on the council to put aside differences over the court and focus instead on the resolution and "the prospects of peace" in Burundi.

In the resolution, the council pledged support for the country's peace process through elections which members insist must be held in 2005.

A peace deal between the government and Hutu rebels to end Burundi's 11-year war provided for a three-year transition period that was to end with the election of a new government by November 1.

More than 260 000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the conflict between the Tutsi-dominated army and Hutu rebel factions in the country of about 6 million people.

In May, the council authorised a 5 650-strong peacekeeping force for Burundi as it struggled to emerge from the war.

The resolution extends its mandate until June 1 2005.

It reiterated the council's strong condemnation of the August 13 attack on the refugee camp at Gatumba near Burundi's border with Congo which UN officials said killed 152 people, wounded 106, and left eight missing.

The overwhelming majority of the victims were Congolese Tutsis, known as the Banyamylenge, who had fled fighting in their troubled country.

The Burundian rebel Palipehutu-National Liberation Force known as the FNL, the only group to claim responsibility for the attack, "probably participated in the massacre" but was "unlikely to have done so on its own," an initial UN investigation said.

- AP

inside news24

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