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DATE=1/17/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244300
TITLE=U-N/ANGOLA UNREST
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS (SUNDAY) 
HE PLANS TO WITHDRAW THE ORGANIZATION'S PEACEKEEPING FORCE FROM 
ANGOLA LATER THIS YEAR.  THE MOVE COMES AMID THE APPARENT 
BREAKDOWN OF ANGOLA'S PEACE PROCESS.  V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS 
CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.
TEXT: IN A REPORT TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL MR. ANNAN SAYS THAT
FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES THE ANGOLAN PEACE PROCESS HAS 
COLLAPSED AND THE COUNTRY IS NOW IN A STATE OF WAR.
HE SAYS THE OPPOSITION GROUP UNITA IS TO BLAME FOR THE COLLAPSE. 
HE SAYS UNITA FAILED TO KEEP ITS PROMISES TO DEMOBILIZE ITS 
FORCES AND HAND OVER TERRITORY UNDER UNITA CONTROL TO THE 
GOVERNMENT.  AS A RESULT, MR. ANNAN SAYS, THE U-N PEACEKEEPING 
FORCE IN ANGOLA NO LONGER HAS A MEANINGFUL REASON TO EXIST.
MR. ANNAN SAYS HE PLANS TO WITHDRAW THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE 
COMPLETELY WITHIN FOUR TO SIX MONTHS.
THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN IMPLEMENTING THE 1994
LUSAKA PEACE ACCORD, WHICH WAS INTENDED TO END TWO DECADES OF 
CIVIL WAR IN ANGOLA.  REMOVAL OF THE FORCE IS EXPECTED TO OPEN 
THE WAY FOR CONTINUED FIGHTING BETWEEN UNITA AND THE ANGOLAN 
GOVERNMENT.
                                /// REST OPTIONAL ///
MR. ANNAN SAYS HE WILL APPOINT A HIGH-LEVEL U-N OFFICIAL TO SERVE
AS HIS SENIOR ENVOY TO ANGOLA IN CASE THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY 
SITUATION IN ANGOLA IMPROVES.  HE SAYS HE WILL ALSO MAINTAIN A 
U-N HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE IN ANGOLA TO HELP PROMOTE RIGHTS AND 
PREVENT THEIR ABUSE.
THE U-N CHIEF SAYS ONE HIS PRIMARY CONCERNS NOW IS THE 
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN ANGOLA.  HE SAYS THE HUMANITARIAN 
SITUATION IS ALREADY CRITICAL AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DEVELOP 
INTO A FULL-SCALE CATASTROPHE.  HE SAYS HE HAS INSTRUCTED HIS 
REPRESENTATIVES TO MEET URGENTLY WITH THE ANGOLAN GOVERNMENT AND 
OTHER PARTIES CONCERNED TO DISCUSS HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN 
ISSUES.
MR. ANNAN'S DECISION COMES AMID INCREASED FIGHTING IN ANGOLA AND 
A SERIES OF ATTACKS ON U-N STAFF IN THE COUNTRY.  DURING THE LAST
FEW WEEKS, TWO U-N PLANES CRASHED IN THE CENTER OF THE COUNTRY.  
U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY BELIEVE THE PLANES WERE SHOT DOWN BY UNITA
FORCES ... A CHARGE UNITA DENIES.
THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO DISCUSS MR. ANNAN'S 
REPORT OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/SD
17-Jan-99 10:26 PM EST (0326 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.