DECLAR ATION ON THE GATUMBA MASSACRE

XIV MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE OF THE NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT (NAM)

The Ministers attending the XIV Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement:

Reaffirming the NAM's determination to preserve the noble ideals and principles of the Movement as well as the principles set forth in the UN Charter;

Stressing the importance of the maintenance of international peace and security and the respect for international law;

1. Condemn in the strongest terms the heinous killing of the Congolese refugees of the GATUMBA camp in Burundi which occurred on 13 August 2004.
2. Express their sympathy and support to the families of the victims, and wishes quick recovery to the injured.
3. Support the resolve of the Heads of State of the 22nd Summit of the Great Lakes Regional Peace Initiative on Burundi held on 18 August 2004 in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, to declare the PALIPEHUTU-FNL Movement which claimed the responsibility for the massacre, a terrorist organization, and urge the United Nations and the African Union to take appropriate measures to reinforce this stand according to the relevant instruments.
4. Support also the proposal to conduct an International Investigation to establish the facts in order to bring to justice those responsible and take any other political action deemed necessary.
5. Extend their solidarity with countries and people of the African Great Lakes region and appeal to their leaders and governments to work together and timelessly for the peace, the stability and sustainable development of the region.