THE UN Security Council, divided in its reaction to the military coup in Burundi, stopped short of issuing an outright condemnation yesterday despite a strong warning issued two days earlier.
Reacting to Thursday's bloodless coup, the Council expressed "utmost concern" about the developments, according to the council president, Mr Alain Dejammet of France.
Participants at the closed door session said the 15 members who before the coop had said they "strongly condemn an attempt to overthrow the present legitimate government by force", were divided over how to react.
Botswana's ambassador, Mr Legwaila Legwaila, one of the council's three African members said: "We don't accept coups. That coup stands condemned."
He added: "It doesn't matter that they have found somebody who is acceptable to the international community," referring to the European trained new Burundian "transitional" leader Maj Pierre Buyoya.
Diplomats said Botswana's position was backed by Guinea Bissau and Chile. But other participants, including the British ambassador, Sir John Weston, urged a more cautious approach on the grounds of not wanting to aggravate the situation.
The council, according to Mr Dejammet, would discuss later "further measures to ensure that the humanitarian situation does not further deteriorate". It was considering proposals from the UN Secretary General, Dr Boutros Boutros Ghali, for a rapid humanitarian response, he added.
A meeting of 22 African countries and seven troop contributors from Asia and the Middle East was called with the UN peace keeping department later in the day to discuss plans for a standby force.
So far, only three African countries - Chad, Malawi and Zambia - have offered troops for a multinational rapid humanitarian intervention, and the proposal has so far failed to draw any troop offers from western nations.
An estimated 20,000 troops would be needed to intervene in Burundi over the objections of the authorities. Maj Buyoya insisted on Friday that he opposed any foreign intervention.
. The Presidency of the European Union, in a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin, said last night that it shared the concern of Dr Boutros Ghali and others over the coup and it urged all sides to resolve the crisis without recourse to violence.
The Minister of State at the Department, Ms Joan Burton, said: "Ireland, in its EU presidency capacity, is engaged in an intensive round of consultations with partners, with EU Special Envoy Aldo Ajello, with the US, at the UN and with others, aimed at facilitating the restoration of peace and the establishment of an all inclusive negotiated settlement."