DATE=7/27/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N - ANNAN - ANGOLA (L)
NUMBER=2-252217
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
issued a call today (Tuesday) for direct talks between
the Angolan government and the country's UNITA rebel
movement. The call follows a breakdown in
communications between the two sides during most of
the last year. V-O-A's U-N correspondent Max Ruston
reports.
TEXT: Mr. Annan has been looking for ways to revive
the Angolan peace process following a year of
deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions in
that country. After holding discussions on Africa
with the U-N Security Council, Mr. Annan spoke to
reporters, and outlined what he apparently believes is
a first and essential step towards easing tension in
Angola.
/// Annan act ///
I think one of the difficulties we have in this
situation is there has been no communications
between the two sides for almost a year. I think
that is wrong. I have made it clear that to make
peace there has to be communications. I know it
is sometimes difficult for people to sit across
the table and deal with enemies, particularly
when those individuals have not always honored
their commitments.
/// End act ///
The U-N Secretary-General said he hopes to establish
communications between the Angolan Government and
UNITA soon. He did not say whether any progress
towards that goal has been made.
The United Nations has placed most of the blame for
the breakdown of the Angolan peace process, which was
to have ended more than two decades of civil war, on
UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi. U-N officials say Mr.
Savimbi has failed to meet his obligations under a
1994 agreement to disarm his forces and relinquish
control over parts of the country.
But over the last few months, U-N officials have
placed increasing blame for Angola's troubles on the
Angolan Government. They say the government has taken
actions that could set back efforts to achieve a
political settlement to the conflict. These include
the issuing of an arrest warrant for Mr. Savimbi, on
charges of rebellion, murder and torture.
U-N officials say the humanitarian situation is
deteriorating rapidly, and thousands of people in
Angola could face starvation if progress is not made
soon towards easing tension in the country. (Signed)
NEB/NYC/MPR/LSF/PT
27-Jul-1999 16:52 PM LOC (27-Jul-1999 2052 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
