DATE=1/26/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244703
TITLE=ANGOLA/WAR (S-L)
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=LUANDA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: ANGOLA'S DEFENSE MINISTER IS CLAIMING SUCCESS IN THE
LATEST FIGHTING BETWEEN GOVERNMENT FORCES AND REBELS OF THE
"UNITA" MOVEMENT. MORE FROM V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA IN
THE ANGOLAN CAPITAL, LUANDA.
TEXT: DEFENSE MINISTER PEDRO SEBASTIAO CLAIMS GOVERNMENT FORCES
HAVE DESTROYED BETWEEN 60 AND 70 PERCENT OF THE FIGHTING CAPACITY
OF UNITA.
BUT THE MINISTER TELLS ANGOLA'S PARLIAMENT TENSIONS REMAIN HIGH
AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND THE REBELS REMAIN A THREAT. //OPT// AS
AN EXAMPLE, HE SAYS UNITA ON TUESDAY SHELLED THE IMPORTANT
NORTHERN TOWN OF M'BANZA CONGO. //END OPT//
STILL, THE MINISTER CONTENDS THAT WHAT HE CALLS THE MOST
DIFFICULT PHASE OF THE WAR THAT REIGNITED LATE LAST YEAR IS NOW
OVER. // OPT // HE SAYS GOVERNMENT TROOPS HAVE REESTABLISHED
FIRM CONTROL AROUND THE PREVIOUSLY REBEL-THREATENED CITIES OF
CUITO AND HUAMBO IN ANGOLA'S CENTRAL HIGHLANDS.
// OPT // UNITA ATTACKED THE TWO KEY CITIES AFTER GOVERNMENT
TROOPS LAUNCHED AN ABORTIVE ASSAULT AGAINST THE REBELS' NEARBY
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS STRONGHOLDS. // END OPT //
THE FIGHTING SHATTERED A FOUR-YEAR-OLD U-N BACKED PEACE EFFORT IN
ANGOLA. ANGOLAN AUTHORITIES NOW WANT THE LAST U-N PEACE MONITORS
TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY. THEY HAVE ALSO SEVERED ALL CONTACTS WITH
UNITA LEADER JONAS SAVIMBI, WHOM THEY CALL A WAR CRIMINAL.
(SIGNED)
NEB/BEL/PCF/JO
26-Jan-99 11:36 AM EST (1636 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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