DATE=11/22/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ANGOLA / NAMIBIA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256421
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Angolan government troops appear to be making
a major push on UNITA rebel positions in the southeast
of the country along the Namibian border. V-O-A
Southern Africa Correspondent Alex Belida reports from
Windhoek, the Namibian capital.
TEXT: A Namibian defense ministry spokesman tells the
Voice of America that UNITA rebel forces just across
the border in Angola are fleeing advancing Angolan
government troops.
The spokesman, Vincent Mwange, gives no details.
But Namibia's state-run news agency reports Angolan
troops have occupied the previously rebel-controlled
town of Cuangar and are moving on Calai in an apparent
push along the Cubango river (also known as Kavango
river) where it forms the border between the two
countries.
UNITA has already been driven from its traditional
strongholds in Angola's Central Highlands further to
the north. Analysts say this drive appears aimed at
forcing the rebels to abandon additional territory in
the southeast that UNITA has held for years, possibly
including the former rebel headquarters at Jamba.
There has been no formal comment on the operation
from Angolan authorities. The number of troops
involved in the previously-undisclosed border
operation is not known.
However Namibian police report hundreds of Angolan
refugees have fled the fighting in recent days and
have crossed into northern Namibia. The Namibian news
agency reports 11 of the latest arrivals were former
UNITA fighters said to have abandoned the rebel
movement.
/// OPT /// The news agency says the former
rebels, who did not disclose their names, are
predicting Angolan government troops will soon take
over all Unita-controlled areas in the border region.
/// END OPT ///
Namibian Defense Ministry spokesman Mwange tells V-O-A
his country's security forces are patrolling the
frontier as a precautionary measure. However he says
Namibia is not involved militarily in the conflict
despite its public support for the government of
Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos.
/// REST OPTIONAL ///
Meanwhile, credible eyewitnesses in southwestern
Zambia close to that country's borders with both
Angola and Namibia recently reported seeing a large
convoy of Namibian military vehicles cross into
Zambia.
Spokesman Mwange dismisses the sighting as a "rumor."
Regional security sources theorize the Namibian forces
might be planning to attack UNITA positions from the
rear as part of a coordinated operation with the
Angolan government forces advancing on the rebels from
the west. (Signed)
NEB/BEL/JWH
22-Nov-1999 04:43 AM EDT (22-Nov-1999 0943 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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