Clinton says conflicts are inimical to Africa-US ties
Regional, Politics, 2/23/2000

US President Bill Clinton has warned that the continued fighting in Africa will affect America's future cooperation with Africa.

He made the remark while addressing a plenary session of the Burundi peace talks in Arusha through video link from Washington Monday.

He urged the warring countries in Africa to solve their conflicts through negotiations.

"America wants peace in Burundi and in Africa...and has future plans with the continent" Clinton said.

Responding to Clinton's speech, the facilitator to the talks, former South African president Nelson Mandela, assured him that all the participating parties were "committed, patriotic and of calibre," an aspect he said was a prerequisite to the restoration of peace.

Owing to the commitment, Mandela said the facilitation was now at a stage of producing a draft document on "compromise proposals" reached in the negotiations for the past 18 months of discussion.

The step to produce a document of compromise proposals had been unanimously reached at the session prior to the address of the US president.

Mandela also asked for financial support from the US to enable completion of the talks. He said there were no funds to finance another session after the current one.

Previous Stories:
  Clinton vows continued support for Africa   (2/19/2000)
  Al-Sharaa - Moussa communications; Peace requires a Palestinian State   (2/15/2000)
  ME peace tops Mubarak's talks in Damascus, Amman   (1/24/2000)

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