DATE=1/5/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243804
TITLE=ANGOLA / FIGHTING (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS THE SECURITY SITUATION IN ANGOLA
IS CONTINUING TO DETERIORATE, DESPITE STEPPED-UP U-N EFFORTS TO
MEDIATE IN THE CONFLICT. V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORESPONDENT MAX
RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT: U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS U-N SECURITY COORDINATOR
BENON SEVAN IS NOW IN ANGOLA CARRYING SEPARATE LETTERS FROM
SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO THE ANGOLAN GOVERNMENT AND THE
LEADER OF THE UNITA OPPOSITION GROUP, JONAS SAVIMBI. HE SAYS MR.
SEVAN MET TUESDAY WITH ANGOLA'S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER AND THE
MINISTER FOR TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT. IT IS NOT CLEAR WHEN, OR
IF, HE WILL MEET WITH LEADERS OF UNITA.
MR. SEVAN WAS SENT TO ANGOLA TO ASSESS THE SECURITY THREAT TO U-N
PERSONNEL IN THE COUNTRY AND TO FACILITATE SEARCH AND RESCUE
OPERATIONS FOR TWO U-N CHARTERED AIRCRAFT THAT CRASHED IN THE
CENTER OF THE COUNTRY OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS. U-N OFFICIALS SAY
THEY BELIEVE THE AIRCRAFT WERE SHOT DOWN BY UNITA FORCES. EACH
SIDE IN THE CONFLICT BLAMES THE OTHER FOR SHOOTING THE PLANES
DOWN.
MR. ECKHARD SAYS VIOLENCE IS CONTINUING TO ESCALATE DESPITE
REPEATED U-N CALLS FOR A CEASE-FIRE.
/// ECKHARD ACT ///
THE ANGOLAN GOVERNMENT CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE REGAINED
CONTROL OF THE TOWN OF VILLA NOVA, EIGHT KILOMETERS FROM
THE ASSUMED CRASH SITE OF THE FIRST U-N AIRCRAFT, AND
THAT THEY ARE GETTING CLOSE TO THAT SITE. OUR RESCUE
TEAM IS STANDING BY IN HUAMBO. MEANWHILE UNITA IS
REPORTED TO HAVE STARTED TO BARRAGE AND LAY SIEGE TO
MALANJE, THE CAPITAL OF MALANJE PROVINCE. WE HAVE A
TEAM SITE THERE WITH SIX CIVILIAN POLICE AND ONE
MILITARY OBSERVER.
/// END ACT ///
ALL UNITED NATIONS HUMANITARIAN FLIGHTS IN ANGOLA HAVE NOW BEEN
SUSPENDED. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE FLIGHTS WERE THE LAST POSSIBLE
METHOD FOR DELIVERING RELIEF SUPPLIES TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
PEOPLE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE COUNTRY.
U-N OFFICIALS SAY FULL-SCALE WAR DOES APPEAR TO HAVE RESUMED IN
ANGOLA, MARKING THE BREAK-DOWN OF THE 1994 LUSAKA PEACE ACCORD,
WHICH WAS INTENDED TO END MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF CIVIL WAR IN
THE COUNTRY.
THE UNITED NATIONS HAS A PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN ANGOLA STAFFED
WITH ABOUT 700 SOLDIERS. THAT FORCE HAS HELPED ENSURE THE
SECURITY OF RELIEF WORKERS AND OTHER U-N STAFF.
SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS EXPECTED TO PREPARE A REPORT FOR
THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL OVER THE NEXT WEEK IN WHICH HE WILL
RECOMMEND THAT THE COUNCIL EITHER STRENGTHEN THE PEACEKEEPING
FORCE OR REMOVE IT FROM THE COUNTRY ALTOGETHER. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW
05-Jan-99 4:54 PM EST (2154 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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