US stresses link with DRC conflict

US President Bill Clinton on Tuesday addressed the meeting by satellite link and warned that the conflict could spread beyond Burundi's borders if a solution was not found. "It requires courage for these leaders to accept the risks of peacemaking," he said. Clinton also pledged to "create the economic conditions" to sustain peace, but did not elaborate. The US envoy
to the Great Lakes, Howard Wolpe, who is attending the talks, spoke of the "enormous positive psychological impact" on Burundians of the president's address, coupled with the fact that their country was currently the focus of international attention. Stressing the "definite linkage" between the
DRC and Burundi conflicts, he told IRIN the US would advise all sides in the DRC war not to obstruct the Burundi peace process and encourage concerned parties to be involved. "There is a need for creativity and a comprehensive regional approach," he stressed.