DATE=8/19/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ANGOLA/REPORTER (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252944
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=MALANGE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A reporter for the Voice of America's special
Portuguese-language program for Angola says he fears
for his life after authorities seized him Thursday and
threatened him with prosecution in connection with a
dispatch he filed. V-O-A Southern Africa
Correspondent Alex Belida reports on the plight of
Isaias Soares from the besieged Angolan city of
Malange.
TEXT: Mr. Soares says he was picked up by police in
Malange and told he would face prosecution over a
report he filed this week. That report quoted a
United Nations aid worker in the besieged city some
400 kilometers east of the Angolan capital Luanda as
saying some government security forces have seized
relief supplies from civilians in the Malange area.
The reporter for V-O-A's Portuguese-language service
program for Angola says that while in custody he was
not allowed to make any statement to defend himself.
He says he was released to await possible trial but
expresses fear that his life is now in danger. He is
appealing for protection for himself and for his
family.
U-N officials in Malange have already urged local
authorities not to take any action against the
reporter. Authorities in Luanda were also urged by
the V-O-A representatives in the capital to intervene
to ensure Mr. Soares' safety.
More than 100-thousand Angolans in the Malange area
are dependent on relief supplies for their survival
following months of often heavy fighting that have
virtually cut off the city. One-third of the city's
population is suffering from malnutrition.
Aid workers say most of the relief supplies that have
reached the city are being distributed to civilians
without incident. However they say it is no secret
that police and soldiers have stolen some of the food
aid for their own use.
Sporadic exchanges of artillery fire were heard
outside of Malange throughout the day on Thursday.
Reports reaching Luanda said another besieged city,
Cuito, further to the south, also came under heavy
shelling.
The fighting follows the Angolan government's
rejection of an offer by UNITA rebel leader Jonas
Savimbi to reopen a peace dialogue. Angolan President
Jose Eduardo Dos Santos said this week there is
nothing more to negotiate with the rebels following
their failure to abide by demilitarization commitments
in a 1994 United Nations brokered peace agreement.
(Signed)
NEB/BEL/TVM/JO
19-Aug-1999 19:47 PM EDT (19-Aug-1999 2347 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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