Training of rebel groups denied

Tanzanian Defence Minister Edgar Maokola-Majogo told reporters in Dar es Salaam on Friday that Bujumbura had finally conceded Tanzania did not provide military training to Burundian rebel groups, the 'Guardian' newspaper reported on Saturday. "We could never, ever train their rebels in order to fan the conflict in their country", said Maokola-Majogo. "After all, Tanzania is now tired of living with refugees," he added. Maokola-Majogo and Burundian Defence Minister Alfred Nkurunziza last week pledged to bolster security along their common border after talks in Kigoma, western Tanzania. News reports quoted the final communique as saying Tanzania promised not to allow Burundian rebel groups to use its territory as a rear base while Burundi pledged to improve internal security and create conducive conditions for the repatriation of refugees. Both sides also agreed to improve consultation and cooperation on border security issues, and to combat banditry by armed groups and undisciplined soldiers on the border and on Lake Tanganyika.