Burundi peace plan scaled back

Mr Clinton's arrival did not sway the talks

Last-ditch efforts to salvage the Burundi peace plan have resulted in a scaled-down version of the document which was to have been signed earlier on Monday.

US President Bill Clinton has arrived at the talks venue in Arusha, Tanzania, suppposedly to lend his weight to the planned deal between the Tutsi-dominated Burundi Government and Hutu rebels.

But correspondents say that the redrafted document provides only a framework for an eventual deal, rather than a full settlement plan as originally hoped.

Both sides have recently declared dissatisfaction with aspects of the peace plan, which was drafted under the chairmanship of Nelson Mandela.

Rebel attacks have continued

The original plan was intended to provide for:

• A power-sharing government
• Equal representation for Hutus and Tutsis in the army

More talks likely

Even if a deal is signed on Monday, it is still almost certain that further talks will be necessary.

Nelson Mandela: Rallying foreign support for a deal

Representatives of the dominant Tutsi minority have been saying that they need more time before they will be prepared to sign the deal.

Many Tutsis, who dominate politics and the military despite comprising only 15% of Burundi's population, are concerned that a democratic solution would lead to Hutu domination.

The former South African president has been leading efforts to modify the proposal, and has been trying to get as many politically influential people behind the deal as possible.

Heads of state who arrived in Arusha were kept waiting in the hall as frantic last-minute negotiations continued into Monday afternoon.

Buyoya in Arusha: No comments to the media

The presidents of Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda are among the dignitaries present.

Delegations from the Burundi Government, parliament and 17 political parties are also at the negotiations.

The draft accord is the culmination of two years of discussions between the various warring factions in the seven-year civil war between Burundian Hutu rebels and the minority Tutsi-led government.

Objections

Among the points of disagreement are who will lead the country during a transitional period and exactly when a ceasefire would come into effect.

More fighting around the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, was reported as recently as Sunday.

A BBC correspondent says Hutu rebel forces attacked an army post just outside the city, but there are no details of any casualties.

The leaders of the two main Hutu rebel groups fighting on the ground are not even present at the talks.