DATE=3/15/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246653
TITLE=U-N / ANGOLA PULLOUT (L - ONLY) (RPT)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS (MONDAY) IT HAS COMPLETED THE
WITHDRAWAL OF ITS HUMANITARIAN STAFF FROM THE CENTRAL ANGOLAN
CITY OF KUITO. THE MOVE LEAVES THE UNITED NATIONS WITH
HUMANITARIAN STAFF IN FEWER THAN HALF OF ANGOLA'S 18 PROVINCIAL
CAPITALS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR U-N
BUREAU.
TEXT: AS FIGHTING HAS SPREAD IN ANGOLA, THE UNITED NATIONS HAS
GRADUALLY PULLED ITS HUMANITARIAN WORKERS OUT OF THE COUNTRY --
MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR HUNDREDS-OF-THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO
RECEIVE VITAL AID. THE LATEST PULL-OUT IS FROM THE PROVINCIAL
CAPITAL OF KUITO. U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS THE DECISION
TO WITHDRAW WAS MADE BECAUSE OF INTENSIFIED FIGHTING NEAR THE
CITY.
/// ECKHARD ACT ///
THIS DEVELOPMENT REDUCES THE ALREADY LIMITED PRESENCE OF
HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS TO EIGHT OF THE 18 PROVINCIAL
CAPITALS. AT PRESENT, ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF RELIEF AID
PROVIDED BY HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES IS DELIVERED BY AIR,
AS ACCESS TO 60 PERCENT OF THE COUNTRY REMAINS
RESTRICTED.
/// END ACT ///
MR. ECKHARD SAYS ABOUT 480-THOUSAND PEOPLE WHO HAVE FLED THEIR
HOMES ARE NOW RECEIVING ASSISTANCE IN RELATIVELY SAFE AREAS OF
ANGOLA. ASSISTANCE INCLUDES FOOD RATIONS, HEALTH CARE,
IMMUNIZATIONS, EDUCATION FOR DISPLACED CHILDREN AND NUTRITIONAL
FEEDING CENTERS FOR THE SEVERELY MALNOURISHED.
AN ESTIMATED ONE AND ONE HALF MILLION PEOPLE IN ANGOLA HAVE FLED
THEIR HOMES. THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY
SINCE RENEWED FIGHTING BROKE OUT LATE LAST YEAR BETWEEN THE
ANGOLAN GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPOSITION GROUP UNITA. FIGHTING AND
THE COLLAPSE OF THE PEACE ACCORD PROMPTED THE UNITED NATIONS TO
ORDER THE WITHDRAWAL OF ITS PEACEKEEPING FORCE FROM ANGOLA
EARLIER THIS YEAR. THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN
PROVIDING SAFE PASSAGE CORRIDORS IN THE COUNTRY FOR HUMANITARIAN
WORKERS.
THE LATEST FIGHTING MARKS WHAT DIPLOMATS SAY APPEARS TO BE THE
BREAKDOWN OF THE LUSAKA PEACE ACCORD, WHICH WAS INTENDED TO END
MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF CIVIL WAR IN ANGOLA. THE U-N SECURITY
COUNCIL HAS PUT MOST OF THE BLAME FOR THE BREAKDOWN ON UNITA,
SAYING IT FAILED TO CARRY THROUGH WITH ITS PLEDGES UNDER THE
PEACE ACCORD. UNDER THE ACCORD, UNITA PROMISED TO DEMOBILIZE ITS
FIGHTERS AND HAND OVER TO THE GOVERNMENT LAND UNDER UNITA
CONTROL. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
15-Mar-99 6:30 PM EST (2330 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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