S/PV.3316 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received letters from the representatives of Burundi and Rwanda in which they request to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council’s agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite those representatives to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mrs. Singirankabo (Burundi) took a place at the Council table; Mr. Bizimana (Rwanda) took the place reserved for him at the side of the Council Chamber.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in response to the request contained in a letter dated 4 November 1993 from the Permanent Representative of Burundi to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/26703). Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: "The Security continues to follow with deep concern the developments in Burundi, which have threatened that country’s nascent democracy, and caused widespread violence and bloodshed. "The Security Council reiterates its condemnation of the abrupt and violent interruption of the democratic process initiated in Burundi and demands the immediate cessation of acts of violence. "The Security Council warmly commends the Prime Minister and the other members of the Government of Burundi for their courage, and the spirit of reconciliation they have demonstrated at this very difficult moment. "The Security Council is alarmed at the grave humanitarian consequences of this tragedy which has resulted in the movement of over 700,000 refugees into neighbouring countries and an increasing number of internally displaced persons throughout the country. The Council appeals to all States, international agencies, and other humanitarian organizations to provide prompt humanitarian assistance to the affected civilian population in Burundi and neighbouring countries. "The Security Council notes with satisfaction the immediate response of the Secretary-General to this situation by the dispatch of a Special Envoy on a good offices mission to facilitate the return of the country to constitutional rule, and welcomes the appointment by the Secretary-General of a Special Representative for Burundi. The Security Council also welcomes the efforts of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to assist the Government of Burundi in its efforts to restore democratic institutions, rebuild confidence and stabilize the situation. "The Security Council expresses gratitude to the States which provided shelter in their diplomatic compounds to the members of the Government of Burundi and also expresses its gratitude for the technical assistance provided by those (The President) countries to ensure the security and safety of the members of the Government. "The Security Council encourages the Secretary-General to continue using his good offices through his Special Representative and to consider dispatching in his support as soon as possible a small United Nations team, within existing resources, to Burundi for fact-finding and advice with a view to facilitating the efforts of the Government of Burundi and the OAU. "The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to keep it informed as appropriate on the situation and the progress of the United Nations good offices mission. It also requests the Secretary-General to report, at the earliest, with recommendations on the possible establishment of a voluntary fund to assist in the dispatch of an OAU mission as announced by the Secretary-General of the OAU. "The Council will remain seized of the matter." This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/26757. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda. The meeting rose at 7.40 p.m. (The President)