DATE=11/9/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SAF - CONGO - ANGOLA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255959
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: South Africa's Foreign Minister has voiced
concern over the situation in Congo-Kinshasa, where a
fragile cease-fire and peace agreement appear to be in
danger. V-O-A Johannesburg Correspondent Alex Belida
reports that Nkosazana Zuma (Eds: EN-KOH-SAH-ZAH-NA
ZOO-MA) discussed developments in the Congo and in
neighboring Angola in an interview today (Tuesday)
with South African national radio.
TEXT: South Africa's Foreign Affairs Minister say she
believes all the parties to the Congolese peace
agreement are still committed to implementation of the
accord.
But Nkosazana Zuma tells South African national radio
there are, what she calls, worrying signs, including
fresh reports of fighting in violation of a cease-fire
and comments from some quarters, which she says are
not encouraging.
// ZUMA ACTUALITY //
There are some signs that are worrying that we all
have to keep an eye on. It's not an easy process.
It's complicated. It's got many countries, many
dimensions.
// END ACTUALITY //
Mrs. Zuma says she believes that what may be happening
in the Congo involves jockeying for advantage ahead of
negotiations between the rival parties involved in the
country's more than year-long civil war.
Turning to the civil war in Angola pitting government
troops against forces of the UNITA rebel movement, the
South African Foreign Minister says what is happening
there is tragic.
// ZUMA ACTUALITY //
I think the frustrating thing about that one (war in
Angola) is that, indeed there have been peace
initiatives that have ended up in agreements but I
think what frustrates people is that, yes, those
agreements have not been honored, particularly on the
side of UNITA. And therefore the Angolan government
is asking a question, well if we get in another round
of negotiations, what guarantees do we have that
whatever agreements are reached will be honored and
that's a difficult question to answer.
// END ACTUALITY //
// OPT // Nonetheless, she says there are certain
things happening on the African continent that may
have a positive effect on Angola. Mrs. Zuma says one
is the decision by the Organization of African Unity
not to accept people who take power militarily. She
says that may be a deterrent to UNITA trying to take
power by force and may in the long run force the rebel
movement to enter into negotiations and to stick to
any agreements that might be reached. // END OPT //
In the meantime, she says a human tragedy is
unfolding, with millions of Angolans displaced by the
continued fighting. She says it is important for
countries in Southern Africa and elsewhere to provide
humanitarian assistance to the Angolans who she says
are the real victims of the war. (Signed)
NEB/BEL/GE/PLM
09-Nov-1999 05:59 AM EDT (09-Nov-1999 1059 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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