President Clinton Arrives in Tanzania to Join Burundi Peace Negotiations
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Air Force One touched down in Tanzania, eastern Africa earlier today, the final leg of President Clinton's three-day trip to sub-Saharan Africa. Mr. Clinton announced yesterday that Washington will provide $20 million in assistance to the continent. CNN senior White House correspondent John King standing by now live now in Arusha, Tanzania, traveling with the president, with more -- John.</s>JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Bill, considerable "turmoil," the term used by a U.S. official here with President Clinton. The president had hoped to come here to Tanzania to witness the signing of a historic peace agreement ending the seven- year-old civil war in Burundi. Instead, we're told significant complications in the negotiations. Some interim document will be signed today, but diplomats here on the scene and U.S. officials traveling with the president say it will not address the key issues such as a cease-fire, if and when that would take effect; the organization of a transitional government that would be necessary; also other details. Some of the rebel groups not even involved in these negotiations, so diplomats on the scene saying that document that will be signed today will be, in their view, meaningless. U.S. officials saying that's not case. They say that it is progress just to lock in any progress made so far in the negotiations. They also say Mr. Clinton came here out of respect for the former South African President Nelson Mandela. He is shepherding these talks, has been doing so for two years now. He asked Mr. Clinton to come here and Mr. Clinton, of course, will take part in these discussions today. At issue now, 200,000 people killed in this seven-year-old conflict. The Tutsi minority runs the army and the government now in the Burundi. The Hutu rebels, they had elected a democratic leader seven years ago. He was overthrown by Tutsi paratroopers. U.S. officials insisting this will not be a failure, but obviously a disappointment as the president here in Tanzania to witness the peace negotiations for Burundi. John King, CNN, reporting live from Arusha, Tanzania.</s>HEMMER: All right, John, thank you, as the day about to end there in eastern Africa.