DATE=11/1/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ANGOLA / UNITA (L OVERNITER)
NUMBER=2-255706
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The U-N Angola Sanctions Committee may order
the closure of the UNITA rebel movement's internet
website, one of the beleaguered rebel group's last
remaining means of communication. Southern Africa
Correspondent Alex Belida has this report, which was
prepared with assistance from V-O-A Correspondent
Breck Ardery.
TEXT: Officials of the special U-N Angola sanctions
committee tell V-O-A it is possible the panel will
attempt to shut down Kwacha-dot-com, UNITA's internet
website.
David Angel, the assistant to the Angola sanctions
committee chairman, says the existence of the website
is what he terms, a cause for concern. Although
specific telecommunications measures against the rebel
group are still under discussion, Mr. Angel says the
website appears to violate the "spirit" of already
existing sanctions against UNITA.
Two-years ago, the U-N Security Council ordered the
closure of all UNITA offices outside Angola. Council
members imposed this and other punitive measures
against UNITA for its failure to comply with
provisions of a 1994, U-N brokered peace agreement.
The UNITA website is based in Ireland and operated by
Leon Dias. He told V-O-A in a telephone interview
from Dublin that he is in almost daily contact with
rebel leaders in Angola. A message from the UNITA
leadership posted on the Kwacha-dot-com site last week
was identified as having been issued by what was
called "The UNITA Office, Irish Republic."
Although Mr. Dias appeared unconcerned that his
operation might be construed by authorities as
illegal, the Irish government tells V-O-A it is
launching an immediate inquiry into the apparent rebel
presence in Ireland.
A government statement issued in Dublin said Ireland
does not recognize, condone, or accept the presence of
a UNITA office or representative. A spokeswoman said
the existence of a UNITA office would be in violation
of U-N sanctions. She said Ireland is committed to
implementation of all such sanctions. (SIGNED)
NEB/BEL/JWH/RAE
01-Nov-1999 13:20 PM EDT (01-Nov-1999 1820 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
