In face of large-scale killings, urgent calls for dialogue and contingency planning.

• Position: Burundi

Gravely concerned at the continued deterioration of the security situation in Burundi, which had resulted in further "large-scale killings" in Buhoro and Kivyuka, and at the increasing flow of refugees from the country, the Security Council on 15 May condemned any use of violence and called again for a comprehensive political dialogue aimed at national reconciliation.

Burundian authorities and all parties concerned should "set aside their differences, renounce the use of force and demonstrate a firm political will for a prompt settlement of the conflict, the Council urged. It also called on the parties to refrain from actions that could aggravate the refugee problem, and expressed concern that relief organizations had been prevented from delivering humanitarian and development assistance in Burundi.

In a statement (S/PRST/1996/24) by its President, Qin Huasun of China, the Council asked Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali and interested Member States "to continue to facilitate, as a matter of urgency, contingency planning for a rapid humanitarian response in the event of widespread violence or a serious deterioration in the humanitarian situation" in the strife-torn Central African country. Mr. Boutros-Ghali was also encouraged to pursue planning for steps that might be taken to support a possible political agreement. The Council had called for contingency planning on 5 March under resolution 1049 (1996).

The Council once again voiced support for the ongoing efforts of Julius Nyerere, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, to resolve the crisis and called on all parties to use an upcoming meeting which he had helped to arrange for 22 May in Mwanza, Tanzania, to move forward on national reconciliation. It further called on all States concerned to cooperate in the convening of a regional conference on peace, security and development in the Great Lakes region.

The Council stressed its readiness to consider still further measures, "should the parties fail to demonstrate the necessary political will for a peaceful solution to the crisis".

`Downward spiral of violence'

In a 3 May report (S/1996/335), the Secretary-General had cited persistent reports indicating a "downward spiral of violence". Extremist Hutu rebels, apparently infiltrated from Zaire, were undertaking hit-and-run attacks against Tutsi and moderate Hutu civilians. Burundian armed forces sometimes exacted reprisals against Hutu civilians in the areas where attacks...