29 July 1999
Text: Amb. Burleigh Addresses UN Security Council on Angola
(Sanctions implementation against UNITA 'indispensable') (720) The United States believes "effective implementation of the sanctions against UNITA is an indispensable ingredient for the end to this war" in Angola, says Ambassador Peter Burleigh, charge d'affaires at the United States Mission to the United Nations in New York. In a written statement to the Security Council on July 29, Burleigh said: "These sanctions are not punitive. They are intended simply to diminish UNITA's warmaking ability, and thereby help establish the conditions for -- and encourage UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola) to resume -- a political dialogue as a method of bringing a durable peace to the people of Angola." Following is the text of Burleigh's remarks as prepared for delivery: (begin text) UNITED STATES MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS 799 United Nations Plaza New York, N.Y. 10017 USUN PRESS RELEASE #50 - (99) July 29, 1999 Statement of Ambassador Peter Burleigh, Charge d'Affaires a.i., United States Mission to the United Nations, on the Situation in Angola, in Security Council, July 29, 1999 As we all know, and as the Angolan people know all too well, the war in Angola has gone on far too long. Unfortunately, as history has demonstrated, this state of affairs will continue as long as UNITA possesses the capacity to let it. We believe effective implementation of the sanctions against UNITA is an indispensable ingredient for the end to this war. The sanctions regime against UNITA has been cited as a model package, directly focused as it is on the commodities and activities that enable UNITA to wage war. These sanctions are not punitive. They are intended simply to diminish UNITA's warmaking ability, and thereby help establish the conditions for -- and encourage UNITA to resume -- a political dialogue as a method of bringing a durable peace to the people of Angola. Until now, UNITA has managed to evade most of these sanctions, and has therefore been able to remain aggressive on the battlefield. The world community -- nations and citizens alike -- must work together to change this. Peace for the people of Angola must be our constant focus. Profit from sanctions busting must be seen for what it is -- the means to continued war and suffering. Under the leadership of Ambassador Fowler of Canada, the momentum is changing, Positive things are happening with our international partners that tell us the desire to strictly enforce the United Nations sanctions against UNITA is taking hold, As the chair of the UNITA Sanctions Committee this year, Ambassador Fowler's energy and creativity have sparked great progress, and helped many people see -- perhaps for the first time -- the immense importance of this enterprise. Specific points of progress have already been achieved. The Security Council earlier this summer created two Expert Panels to collect information on violators and violations and will recommend measures aiding enforcement. Those panels should become operational soon. Chairman Fowler himself has been indefatigable, spending many weeks in Africa and Europe, investigating disparate leads and enlisting national leaders to support this effort. The United States, for its part, stands ready to work together with any state committed to the common goal of improved implementation of the UN sanctions against UNITA. In this vein, my government has worked to identify senior UNITA officials to whom specific travel and financial sanctions apply; has promulgated regulations with criminal penalties for U.S. citizens violating these sanctions; has volunteered personnel for the expert panels and is seeking to do the same with financial support; and has consistently sought to share intelligence information on violations and violators. While Angola's neighbors are not the sole actors in making sanctions against UNITA more effective, their role cannot be overemphasized. As the porous borders that are used to supply UNITA are made ever-more solid, the peace and security of the whole region are improved. The profiteers who help supply UNITA if allowed to continue their malevolent mischief today, will create death and suffering elsewhere tomorrow. We must work together to put an end to these destructive activities. In this light, the United States welcomes Chairman Fowler's report today. We urge all member states of the United Nations to consider seriously his findings and recommendations. (end text)
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