Interview with vice-president designate Domitien Ndayizeye

Burundi vice-president designate Domitien Ndayizeye said on Tuesday that nothing should stop current cease-fire negotiations that should be completed before the installation of a transitional government on 1 November. Another complication in the negotiations has been the establishment of a protection force that will safeguard state institutions and returning political exiles. The following is a transcript of the interview he granted local reporters and IRIN. QUESTION: Mr. Domitien Ndayizeye, you are about to become the vice-president and we have just learned that Jean-Bosco Ndayikengurukiye has been overthrown from the leadership of the CNDD-FDD [Conseil National pour la Defense de la Democratie-Force pour la defence de la democratie]. What is your reaction to this? ANSWER: My reaction is simple. Every party or movement is autonomous both in its programme and daily activities. Every movement or party has the freedom to replace its leaders. What is important is that every action conforms with a movement's internal rules. We hope that what has just happened is in conformity with the movement's rules. Every movement or party belongs to its members. There may have been a small break that the movement wanted to repair. Q: In your view, why was he suspended? A: Not according to my view, according to their view. I don't have much comment on that, it is an internal matter of the movement. Q: Mr vice-president aren't you concerned about the possible consequences on the cease-fire negotiations? A: The programme of a movement or party does not have to change because a person has been replaced. If that movement is serious, nothing should stop the continuation of the cease-fire negotiation. In fact, when I was in South Africa, I spoke to Jean-Bosco. He was ready to kick-start the negotiations as soon as the transitional institutions were in place. This view has been reiterated by the people who claim to have replaced him. Therefore, there should be no concern at that level. The most important matter is that the movement remains united so that we can initiate negotiations with people who really represent the armed movement. That is what is interesting to us. Q: As I understand it the changes suit you especially with regard to the question of cease-fire? A: This change is of no interest to Mr Domitien. Rather it is of interest to the officials of that movement, but not me. Q: Is there any risk of a division within the CNDD-FDD; between the internal and external wings fighting each other and causing untold suffering to innocent civilians? A: You are the one speaking about division. That is not my view. I said that we are interested in the unity of our political and armed partners. We would benefit if the movement remained united, so that we can hold discussions with a united body. That is why I expressed the hope that the decisions which were made respected the movement's rules. If that was so, it would have confirmed the fact that the decisions were in response to the concerns about safeguarding the unity of the movement. As I said earlier, officials will always change. Q: Are you an acquaintance of the current CNDD-FDD leader? A: Frankly, no. Q: Concerning the South African contingent due to come to protect the leaders of the transitional government, when will they arrive, where will they be sheltered and is everything ready? A: During our meeting with heads of state, they expressed their readiness [to send troops]. In fact, they had [offered] too many of them. There were more than four battalions. The logistics and men were ready. What remained was to know whether Belgium would finance the whole operation or part of it. A meeting had been scheduled between the mediation team and the Belgian ambassador to South Africa. There was also the question of determining the number of troops to be sent. That should not take long to do it and I believe the contingent will be here by 1 November. Q: If the FDD and FNL [Forces Nationales pour la Liberation] wanted to be part of the government would you bring them in? A: Absolutely yes. The Arusha agreement caters for that. Q: Would they be part of the G7 A: Yes, if they so wish. Q: UPRONA recently put forward a proposal on the sharing of ministerial posts between the G7 and the G10. Have you accepted them? A: President Buyoya and I have already dealt with the issue, there will be backpedaling, it's too late. Q: Mr. vice-president you have just returned from South Africa. What are your views about the summit? A: I believe Burundians won because they took a step forward. They agreed on many points in such a way that one can now state that we shall have transitional institutions in place by 1 November. Therefore, we should not thank foreigners. Rather we should thank Burundians. However, we should also thank the foreigners who have supported and assisted us up to now. Q: Some politicians living outside the country have been clearly saying that they will not return home as long as the law on temporary amnesty has not been voted. A: The law on amnesty will very soon be voted. Q: Before 1 November? A: Sure. Q: The FDD are in the negotiation process but not the FNL. Will this not lead to the continuation of the war? A: First the FNL never said they would not negotiate. Maybe they have another way of expressing themselves, different from that of the FDD. So you should be rest assured that our intention is to negotiate with everybody. It would not be beneficial to Burundians if any rebel movement is left out. Thus, we hope the two movements will simultaneously take part in the cease-fire. Q: Some politicians have been meeting to share out ministerial portfolios but nothing has been mentioned about Batwa. Will they get any ministerial post? A: Whoever has a Twa in his party can bring him. Q: Earlier you had said you finished the job with President Buyoya. [Do] you know those who were appointed? A: No, [only the sharing of ministries but] not the appointment of people to posts.