DATE=12/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ANGOLA/WAR (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257503
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Angolan government troops have captured a
longtime UNITA rebel stronghold in the southeast of
the war-torn country. V-O-A Southern Africa
Correspondent Alex Belida reports.
TEXT: Angola's state-run news agency reports
government troops drove UNITA forces from the
southeastern rebel stronghold of Jamba on Christmas
Day (Saturday). The agency gives no details on the
assault and makes no mention of casualties on either
side. But it says 200 rebels surrendered. It also
says government authorities now have full control over
the border between Angola and Namibia.
There has been no independent confirmation of the
government report nor any comment from UNITA. However
in a statement issued last week, the rebel movement
asserted that UNITA, in its words, has learned the art
of survival "under the most adverse conditions." The
statement said the rebels, quoting again, "will
overcome the current onslaught."
Jamba was UNITA's headquarters for some 15 years
following Angola's 1975 independence from Portugal.
The rebels, under Jonas Savimbi, later established new
strongholds in the country's Central Highlands. They
were driven from those locations in October of this
past year in a massive government offensive designed
to punish UNITA for failing to live up to the terms of
a 1994 peace agreement.
The present whereabouts of the rebel leadership is not
known. (Signed)
NEB/BEL/JO
26-Dec-1999 05:39 AM EDT (26-Dec-1999 1039 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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