DATE=10/29/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ANGOLA / UNITA / IRELAND (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255610
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Stunned by battlefield setbacks, its leaders
virtually incommunicado, the voice of Angola's UNITA
rebel movement now appears to be emanating from an
office in Ireland - an office whose existence may
contravene United Nations sanctions. V-O-A Southern
Africa Correspondent Alex Belida has our (exclusive)
report.
TEXT: After days of inactivity, a new message went up
this week on UNITA's Internet website, a site known as
Kwacha-dot-com. It acknowledged that recent military
developments in Angola may have caused "confusion and
concern" among friends and supporters of the rebel
group. But it said they should be reassured that
UNITA had the "strength, firmness and determination"
to resist the offensive being carried out by Angolan
government troops.
It also said UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi was well and
in good health - a denial of reports circulating in
the Angolan capital, Luanda, that Mr. Savimbi may have
been killed or seriously wounded in the recent
government attacks that have forced the rebels from
their strongholds at Andulo and Bailundo in Angola's
Central Highlands.
The UNITA message was issued by what was termed "The
UNITA Office, Irish Republic." The rebels' Kwacha-
dot-com website is also based in Ireland. Its
administrative contact is Leon Dias, who told V-O-A in
a telephone interview (Friday) that he is in direct
contact almost daily with UNITA leaders still in
Angola.
Mr. Dias did not appear to be concerned that by
calling his operation "The UNITA Office," he might run
afoul of Irish authorities. United Nations Security
Council Resolution 1127 of two years ago called on
member states to undertake, quoting now, "the
immediate and complete closure of all UNITA offices in
their territories" - one of several measures ordered
to punish the rebels for failing to implement
provisions of Angola's 1994 peace agreement.
Mr. Dias, who said he is an Irish citizen, added that
UNITA's presence in Ireland was "well-known," and that
he was "not in hiding but operating openly." He went
on to assert that UNITA - in his words -- "has friends
here, politicians who have declared it is unfair to
shut the mouths of people who want to put out the word
of UNITA."
V-O-A contacted the Irish Foreign Ministry in Dublin
to ask whether authorities were aware of a UNITA
presence in their country. A press officer promised
to look into the matter.
It is unclear whether the existence of UNITA's Irish-
based computer website would in itself violate any
current U-N sanctions. U-N officials have been
studying possible telecommunications sanctions against
the rebels but have announced no decisions. (Signed)
NEB/BEL/GE/JP
29-Oct-1999 10:01 AM EDT (29-Oct-1999 1401 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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