From the Anglican Peace and Justice Network Delegation

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ:

During our visit to your beautiful country November 19-26, 1999, we were deeply moved by your generous hospitality and warm welcome. We saw in you a faithful and joyous church, committed to the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate during this most treasured and holy season. We were humbled by this witness which is made in the midst of a crisis in your country marred by violence, war and civil strife. We saw the sad byproducts of civil unrest in a regroupment camp and heard the heartbreaking stories of those who suffered the loss of loved ones in the strife. A group of Anglican university students moved us with their strong commitment to peace for the country through fidelity to faith and scripture.

We are also grateful to the leaders of the present government, including Ministers, leaders of the General Assembly and political parties, for making themselves available to us, including President Pierre Buyoya. We heard voices both from Tutsi and Hutu leaders who expressed commitment to a country that honors the rights of all Burundians regardless of ethnic identity. At every opportunity, we prevailed upon political leaders to exercise moral authority so that a just peace can prevail in the nation. We believe that it is important for the international community to more readily recognize that a coalition government made up of elected officials and representation from the civil society are working diligently to find a solution the nation's crisis.

As a result of our time with you, we make the following recommendations:

• We call upon the new mediator for the Arusha talks to work urgently to bring all legitimate parties into the peace process, with the support of the present groups now in the talks, so that all voices can be heard. We also call upon those legitimate parties to accept the invitation to join the talks without pre-condition and to implement an immediate cease-fire to be observed by all sides. The initiation of a cease-fire is the highest priority. Once established, we call for the closure of the regroupment camps and the return of all displaced people in the country to their communities.
• We call for the churches in Burundi to stand ready to support the Arusha talks through consultation with the negotiating parties, offering moral reflection and advice.
• We recognize the suffering of people who have been placed into regroupment camps. We saw sick children and heard of others who are dying daily. We note the urgent need for food, blankets and shelter. We therefore call on all church partners throughout the Anglican Communion to send relief aid to the Province of Burundi so that this suffering may be alleviated. We also urge all governments and non-governmental organizations to do all in their power to provide relief to the victims of war in the country.
• We were disturbed by reports of growing instability in the Great Lakes region and recommend an international inquiry into the arms trade that fuels much of the conflict in the various neighboring states.
• We support the concept of a regional meeting of Anglican leaders to discuss peace initiatives for all the states comprising the Great Lakes area. We also call for more local cooperation of religious leaders in Burundi in support of building a climate of nonviolence and reconciliation.
• We call upon all Anglicans, Christians and people of goodwill worldwide to soak the country of Burundi in prayer - asking God to bring peace and concord.

Sisters and brothers, as we mark once again the coming of the Prince of Peace, we reach out to you and join hands as partners for peacemaking. We will remain in solidarity with you and pray for the day when we can join with you in celebrating a just peace for your nation. Glory be to God. Alleluia.

The Reverend Canon Brian J. Grieves, The Episcopal Church, USA
Mrs Valerie Martin, The Church in Wales
The Reverend Canon Themba Vundla, Church of the Province of Southern Africa