Government rejects preconditions to talks

The Burundi government has rejected any preconditions to the negotiations, the Hirondelle news agency reported. Public Works Minister Denis Nshimirimana, who is leading the government delegation, was reacting to a demand by smaller pro-Tutsi parties that ceasefire discussions should top the agenda. In an interview with the agency, the minister also cautioned against signing a "meaningless" accord. "The belligerents cannot be sidelined even if the international community is ready to neutralise them, as this would not be automatic," he said. "That's why we have chosen negotiations and compromise." The minister criticised the formation of "ethnic blocs" at the talks, saying discussions within blocs would not achieve rapid results.