DATE=8/13/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ANGOLA / KILLINGS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252761
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In Angola, authorities say they have
uncovered evidence of new mass killings allegedly
committed by the UNITA rebel movement near the
besieged provincial capital of Cuito. V-O-A
Correspondent Alex Belida in our Southern Africa
Bureau has this report.
TEXT: Angola's state-controlled television
reports the discovery of more than 100 bodies
found dumped into four wells in the town of
Chipepa, in the country's war-torn Central
Highlands region. It charges the victims were
thrown into the wells alive by forces loyal to
UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi. The television says
the incident occurred as government troops closed
in on the town in a bid to expel the rebels.
The Central Highlands area has been the scene of
heavy fighting since late last year, when
government forces launched a major offensive
against UNITA in a bid to kill or capture the
rebel movement's top leaders, including Mr.
Savimbi. There have been several reports since
then of alleged atrocities committed by the rebel
side.
Rebel activity has forced hundreds of thousands
of rural Angolans to flee their villages and
fields to seek safety in government-held cities.
United Nations relief officials say the
deterioration of the security situation since the
collapse of the country's 1994 peace accords has
led to what they call a "new human tragedy."
They are reporting a surge in cases of
malnutrition among the displaced.
Despite this, UNITA leader Savimbi said in a
recent broadcast interview that reports of a
humanitarian catastrophe in Angola were what he
termed "a big lie." (Signed)
NEB/BEL/GE/WTW
13-Aug-1999 07:50 AM EDT (13-Aug-1999 1150 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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