FORMER South African President Nelson Mandela has expressed optimism as talks to end Burundi’s seven-year civil war focused on the most difficult issues that have so far foiled a comprehensive peace agreement. Mandela, who is meeting with Burundian president Pierre Buyoya, angrily dismissed speculation that Burundian leaders are not ready to suspend hostilities and pick a leader to oversee a transitional administration that would govern till elections are held in three years.