Burundi minister denies attack on journalists

BBC World Service, Friday 10 September 1999, published at 17:55 GMT 18:55 UK

The defence minister in Burundi, Alfred Nkurunziza, has denied telling the army to consider as enemies any journalists found in the region around the capital, Bujumbura.

He says he was misquoted and reports yesterday attributing the comments to him were wrong.

Speaking in a BBC interview, the minister said he HAD complained about a specific news report concerning the security situation around Bujumbura.

But he had not suggested that all journalists should be treated as suspect.