Minister denies thousands of refugees fleeing

President Pierre Buyoya and his two vice-presidents on Monday met regional military commanders and provincial governors, the BBC Kirundi service reported. The meeting, in Bujumbura, focused on security issues and the illegal sale of goods to neighbouring countries. Interior Minister Colonel Ascension Twagiramungu, who took part in the meeting, told the radio that rebel activities had forced some Burundians to leave the country. He denied however that 20,000 people had fled. “There is a discrepancy between those talking about 20,000 people and the figures given by the interior ministry,” he said. The provincial governors were quoted as saying that some Burundians became refugees to get financial assistance.