Belgium urges improved access to camps

Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel, on a two-day visit to Burundi, on Monday urged the government to give humanitarian agencies better access to Burundi's controversial civilian regroupment camps. "In relation to the policy of regrouping people, it is difficult for us, Belgians and Europeans to accept it," Burundi Umwizero radio quoted him as saying. He said he had discussed the "improvement of the situation" with various
officials, and that President Pierre Buyoya had promised to improve conditions while maintaining the security measures he felt necessary. "First there should be an improvement in access to the camps by humanitarian organisations," Michel added.