State Historical Society of Iowa

Letter from U.S. President Bill Clinton to Burundi President Sylvestre Ntibantunganya, 15 January 1996

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Courtesy of National Archives,Clinton, Bill, "President Bill Clinton to President Sylvestre Ntibantunganya," 15 January 1996

Description 

This letter was written to Burundi President Sylvestre Ntibantunganya from U.S. President Bill Clinton. In the letter, Clinton expresses concern about the violence in the country and promises to send Ambassador Madeline Albright to the country to stress the importance of the government ending the violence. However, Clinton will not promise political or economic support, because, as he says in the letter, the government came to power through force.  

Transcript of President Bill Clinton's Letter to Burundi President Sylvestre Ntibantunganya

Source-Dependent Questions

  • Who is this letter written to, and who is it from?
  • What has President Bill Clinton asked of Ambassador Madeline Albright? Why would this be an important task?
  • What does President Clinton pledge to support? What does the president say the United States will not provide and why?
  • Why would America want to help Burundi and its people?

Citation Information 

Clinton, Bill, "President Bill Clinton to President Sylvestre Ntibantunganya," 15 January 1996. Courtesy of National Archives