Security Council backs 'Forum of Partners' for Burundi

The Security Council today welcomed the decision by last week's Summit on Burundi to establish a forum of the country's partners and it urged Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative there to hold consultations with the new Government and its partners with a view to establishing the panel as soon as possible.

In a statement read out in the 15-member Council by Ambassador Bayani Mercado of the Philippines, which holds the rotating presidency for the month of September, the body took note of the Secretary-General's special report on the situation in Burundi, especially the proposal to establish a partners' forum as an international support mechanism for the country.

Burundi is emerging from years of ethnic strife.

In the report, Mr. Annan noted that at the Summit meeting participants, marking the installation of Burundi's new Government, agreed in principle to establish the mechanism as a "Forum of Partners" supporting efforts to consolidate peace and promote development. They also agreed that the forum's composition and mandate would be worked out in consultation with Burundi's Government.

The Special Representative for Burundi, Carolyn McAskie, would chair the mechanism, supported by a small secretariat drawn from existing United Nations Office in Burundi (ONUB) resources, the Summit, co-chaired by Mr. Annan and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, in his capacity as Chairman of the Regional Peace Initiative for Burundi, decided.

"The forum should work with the Government of Burundi in consolidating peace and national reconciliation in Burundi, supporting reforms being undertaken by the Government and in enhancing donor coordination, and work in close coordination with the Peacebuilding Commission once it is operational," today's statement said.

"The Security Council also reiterates its call to the donor community to pursue bilateral and multilateral efforts to support the country," Mr. Mercado added.