United Nations

 NEW YORK, 29 August (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

 The Secretary-General welcomes the agreement reached on 28 August in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, by the parties to the Burundi peace process and the renewed hope the agreement provides for a better future for Burundi.  He regrets that not all parties have signed the agreement and urges those that have not signed to do so as soon as possible.

 The Secretary-General underscores the importance for the parties to remain genuinely committed to the implementation of the agreement. In this regard, he calls on all armed groups to agree to a cessation of hostilities not only to facilitate implementation of the agreement but also to end the suffering of innocent victims of the violence in the country.

 The Secretary-General reiterates his supports to the objectives of the Arusha agreement and for the efforts by the Facilitator, Nelson Mandela.