Rebels deny opting for talks with government

PALIPEHUTU-FNL rebels have denied reports that they are ready for direct
talks with the Burundi government, the Hirondelle news agency reported. In
a press release, the group's leader, Cossan Kabura, said a recent
declaration to this effect by Lydia Maxilius, the vice-president of the
Association of European Parliamentarians for Africa was "totally false". "Just as we informed the international facilitator [Nelson Mandela], PALIPEHUTU-FNL is willing to hold direct political talks with the Bujumbura government provided that the same government unbans it [the
movement]," Kabura stated. "We are waiting for a written reply." He said
that in the meantime the "armed struggle continues unabated".

PALIPEHUTU-FNL, along with the other main rebel group CNDD-FDD, has stayed
outside the Arusha peace process. However, CNDD-FDD last month held its
first direct talks with the government in Libreville, Gabon, and the
process is expected to continue.