DATE=2/22/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245798
TITLE=ANGOLA / UNITA (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE LEADER OF ANGOLA'S UNITA REBEL MOVEMENT SAYS HE WANTS
UNITED NATIONS PEACE MONITORS TO REMAIN IN THE COUNTRY. V-O-A
CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS FROM OUR SOUTHERN AFRICA
BUREAU.
TEXT: THE APPEAL FROM UNITA LEADER JONAS SAVIMBI COMES IN A
LETTER ADDRESSED TO U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN.
IN THE DOCUMENT, DATED FEBRUARY 18TH BUT ONLY NOW MADE PUBLIC BY
UNITA, MR. SAVIMBI SAYS HIS REBEL MOVEMENT WANTS THE U-N
PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN ANGOLA, KNOWN AS MONUA, TO STAY ON -- IN
PART TO FACILITATE A DIALOGUE BETWEEN UNITA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF
PRESIDENT JOSE EDUARDO DOS SANTOS. MR. SAVIMBI SAYS UNITA ALSO
CONSIDERS THE U-N MISSION WHAT HE TERMS "A USEFUL WITNESS."
ANGOLAN AUTHORITIES DO NOT WANT THE U-N MISSION EXTENDED
FOLLOWING THE EXPIRATION OF ITS MANDATE ON FRIDAY (FEB. 26TH).
THEY SAY U-N MILITARY OBSERVERS POSTED AROUND THE COUNTRY FAILED
TO DETECT UNITA'S REARMAMENT.
AS FOR A POSSIBLE DIALOGUE, THE GOVERNMENT IN LUANDA HAS RULED
OUT FURTHER TALKS WITH MR. SAVIMBI AND HAS BLOCKED U-N OFFICIALS
FROM TRAVELLING TO MEET HIM IN HIS STRONGHOLD IN CENTRAL ANGOLA.
INSTEAD, ANGOLAN OFFICIALS NOW DEAL ONLY WITH A GROUP OF
DISSIDENTS WHO HAVE BROKEN AWAY FROM THE REBEL LEADER, WHO THE
GOVERNMENT HAS BRANDED A WAR CRIMINAL.
U-N OBSERVERS HAD BEEN MONITORING IMPLEMENTATION OF A 1994 PEACE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND UNITA. BUT UNITA REFUSED TO
DISARM AND HAND OVER TERRITORY UNDER ITS CONTROL, LEADING TO A
RESUMPTION OF THE COUNTRY'S CIVIL WAR LATE LAST YEAR WHEN
GOVERNMENT TROOPS ATTACKED REBEL STRONGHOLDS.
IN HIS LETTER TO U-N SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN, UNITA LEADER
SAVIMBI SAYS IT IS THE REBELS' VIEW THAT THE CURRENT CONFLICT
WILL NEVER BE RESOLVED BY MILITARY MEANS. (SIGNED)
NEB/BEL/JWH
22-Feb-99 9:32 AM EST (1432 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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