DATE=3/17/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246757
TITLE=ANGOLA/ZAMBIA (L ONLY)
BYLINE=KELLYS KAUNDA
DATELINE=LUSAKA
CONTENT=
NOT VOICED:
INTRO: THE ANGOLAN GOVERNMENT HAS REQUESTED AN URGENT MEETING
WITH ZAMBIAN AUTHORITIES TO DISCUSS ALLEGATIONS THAT ZAMBIA IS
SUPPLYING ARMS TO THE "UNITA" REBEL MOVEMENT. KELLYS KAUNDA IN
LUSAKA REPORTS.
TEXT: ANGOLAN CONSUL GENERAL PAULO MAFUNDAMA SAYS THE
ZAMBIA-ANGOLA JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION MUST CONVENE IMMEDIATELY
TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.
MR. MAFUNDAMA SAYS THE COMMISSION, COMPRISING DEFENSE AND
SECURITY OFFICIALS, SHOULD SPECIFICALLY DISCUSS ANGOLA'S CLAIMS
THAT ZAMBIA SUPPLIES ARMS TO THE UNITA REBELS.
THE ANGOLAN OFFICIAL, QUOTED BY ZAMBIAN STATE RADIO, SAYS SOME
ZAMBIAN BUSINESSMEN ARE TRADING WITH UNITA, EVEN IF THE COUNTRY
OF ZAMBIA HAS NO OFFICIAL TRADE WITH THE REBEL MOVEMENT.
MR. MAFUNDAMA CRITICIZES SOME SECTIONS OF THE ZAMBIAN MEDIA FOR
ALLEGEDLY FUELING TENSIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. HE CHARGES
THEIR COVERAGE HAS BEEN NEGATIVE.
OBSERVERS IN LUSAKA SAY THE CALL FOR A MEETING RAISES HOPES FOR A
PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF THE DISPUTE.
NEWS REPORTS CARRIED BY THE ANGOLAN NEWS AGENCY IN THE PAST FEW
WEEKS HAVE SUGGESTED AUTHORITIES IN ANGOLA WERE NOT PREPARED TO
TALK TO THEIR ZAMBIAN COUNTERPARTS.
ZAMBIA'S PRESIDENT, FREDERICK CHILUBA, TOLD REPORTERS RECENTLY HE
WAS WILLING TO MEET ANGOLAN LEADER EDUARDO DOS SANTOS
FACE-TO-FACE TO DISCUSS ANGOLA'S ALLEGATIONS OF ZAMBIAN ARMS
SUPPLIES TO UNITA. (SIGNED)
NEB/KK/BEL/PCF
17-Mar-99 9:31 AM EST (1431 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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