Mkapa urges speedy implementation of accord

Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa has called for swift implementation of the
Burundi peace agreement which, he said, “will allow Tanzania and neighbouring countries to
deal effectively with those who do not respect the implementation of that
agreement”. Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, he said that if the Arusha agreement, signed last August, was not implemented as soon as
possible, Burundi’s claims that Tanzania was assisting Burundian rebels would “continue to persist”.
According to Tanzanian radio, Mkapa said he had already explained to Burundian President Pierre Buyoya that responsibility for defending the border lay with the Burundi government and Tanzania was not involved in problems within Burundi. “The president said despite these explanations he was amazed that Burundi still continued to blame Tanzania,” the radio reported.