20 January 2000
Text: U.N. Assessment of Angola
(USG Prendergast says situation critical) (1780) Undersecretary-General Kieran Prendergast told the United Nations Security Council January 18 that the humanitarian situation in Angola is particularly critical, affecting about one-third of the country's population. Prendergast also blamed UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola) rebels for the failure of the peace process and the continued fighting. "UNITA failed to demobilize its forces and allow state administration to be extended to areas under its control. The resumption of fighting and the worsening security situation in the country led the secretary-general to conclude that the conditions for an effective United Nations role had ceased to exist," he said. The undersecretary-general appeared at a formal public meeting on Angola called by U.S. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, president of the council for the month of January, to focus attention on some of the continent's most critical problems. The undersecretary-general said that government forces appear to be retaking territory, but he warned that to bring enduring peace a political solution must be found. "It is incumbent on the government to ensure that all those living in areas recently under UNITA control are treated in accordance with international humanitarian law and to do everything possible to improve the human rights situation in the country," he also said. Following is the text of Prendergast's statement: (begin text) INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY USG KIERAN PRENDERGAST: SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON ANGOLA (18 JANUARY 2000) Thank you, Mr. President, 1. I have the pleasure, Mr. President; to introduce to the Security Council the report of the Secretary-General on Angola contained in document S/2000/23. 2. In his report, the Secretary-General assesses the political, military and humanitarian situations in the country and stresses that the absence of political dialogue and the resumption of heavy fighting have exacerbated the already alarming humanitarian situation. He also notes that the situation has been further aggravated by the spillover of the fighting into neighbouring Zambia and Namibia, leading to an influx of large numbers of Angolan refugees on both sides of the border areas. 3. The humanitarian situation is particularly critical. The war-affected population in Angola is estimated at almost 4 million, about a third of the country's population. Almost 2 million people are internally displaced and both resident populations and IDPs show high levels of malnutrition. In addition, the humanitarian situation of another third of the Angolan population living in inaccessible areas is still unknown but is thought to be critical. 4. The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the human suffering as well as the destruction of property and infrastructure in Angola, a country so richly endowed with natural resources and with immense developmental potential. The extension of state administration in the provinces will make it possible for humanitarian assistance to reach populations whose exact conditions are unknown but are predicted to be dire. Ameliorating conditions in those areas will present a challenge both to the Government of Angola and to the international community. 5. Malnutrition rates have escalated sharply in conflict areas. Forty-two percent of children under 5 are either severely or moderately underweight and even if they survive, are likely to develop health problems later in life. Experience shows that malnutrition rates will rise as the rainy season compounds already low food stocks. 6. Mine clearance is of critical importance for any safe resumption of agricultural and commercial activities, for temporary settlement of internally displaced and return to rural areas. The mounting risk of mine accidents and ambushes is a major constraint on humanitarian operations. While some donors have suspended their assistance to mine clearance activities due to re-mining, the lack of support for such activities is hurting innocent people and freezing access to arable land. 7. Despite the best efforts of United Nations and other humanitarian and development agencies, the lack of security and ambushes and attacks by armed elements have constrained severely international relief efforts. The re-mining of roads and of the countryside has added to the perils faced by civilians and aid workers alike. Humanitarian workers have not been immune to the conflict. They have been targeted and killed in violent attacks. Since April 1999, 7 humanitarian workers have been killed and 2 wounded in direct attacks on well-marked vehicles. 8. Current conditions of insecurity and open conflict require costly logistical operations to ensure safe delivery of humanitarian assistance. In addition, increased access to vulnerable populations demands that the donor community remain as responsive to the Consolidated Appeal as they have been in the past. The Secretary-General has appealed to donors for an effective response to the United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Angola, the funding requirement for which is US$258 million. 9. UNHCR has reported that more than 20,000 Angolan refugees have entered Zambia since October 1999 and has predicted that the figure could rise to more than 30,000 in the next few weeks. This is in addition to some 160,000 Angolan refugees already in Zambia. Every effort is being made by the United Nations to send food and medicines to refugees, comprising mostly women, children and elderly people. There has also been a new influx of some 10,000 Angolan refugees into Namibia since the escalation of fighting in September in the border region between the two countries. 10. Reports of human rights abuses by both UNITA and by Government forces have continued to be received from all parts of the country. The same sources have also reported that both sides have carried out forced recruitment of civilians, including minors. Mr. President, 11. The post-independence history of Angola is characterized by a brutal civil war, lost opportunities for peace and reconciliation as well as for the development of the country. The United Nations was first called upon in late 1988 to carry out a relatively straightforward assignment: monitor the withdrawal of Cuban forces from Angola (UNAVEM I). 12. Then, the international community saw an opportunity to end the long-standing conflict in the country and the United Nations was tasked with the responsibility of, among others, observing and verifying the country's first democratic elections (UNAVEM II). As is well known, UNITA rejected the outcome of the 1992 elections and the country reverted back to war. 13. Despite the setback, efforts to facilitate a political solution continued and a comprehensive peace agreement, the Lusaka Protocol, was signed in November 1994. The signing of the Protocol was viewed as a very important stage in the Angolan peace process and the UN was asked to undertake an enlarged and reinforced role (UNAVEM III). 14. After more than two years of vigorous efforts by the United Nations, UNITA failed to de-mobilize its forces and allow state administration to be extended to areas under its control. The resumption of fighting and the worsening security situation in the country led the Secretary-General to conclude that the conditions for an effective United Nations role had ceased to exist, and the Security Council terminated MONUA last February. 15. The United Nations has contributed to four years of relative peace in Angola, the longest period of peace enjoyed by the Angolan people. It is tragic that the unprecedented commitment by the international community, and the unique opportunity it provided Angola to achieve peace and reconciliation, was repeatedly squandered. 16. Last November, President dos Santos stated that the Lusaka Protocol was still valid and laid out a programme of action culminating in the holding of legislative and presidential elections. UNITA, which appears to have suffered major military setbacks, has expressed readiness to resume the peace process. Smaller political parties and church groups have called for the resumption of a national dialogue including an all-inclusive multiparty conference. 17. The Secretary-General has reiterated that the United Nations will not abandon the people of Angola and the Organization has continued to provide humanitarian, human rights and development assistance to the country. He has also reiterated the readiness of the United Nations to support efforts to seek a peaceful settlement of the conflict. The Council is aware that consultations are continuing with the Angolan Government regarding the future United Nations presence and role in Angola. 18. Meanwhile, Ambassador Fowler and the Panel of Experts have been consulting with Angola and other countries in and outside the region on ways of improving the implementation of measures imposed against UNITA and the additional measures needed to strengthen them. Ambassador Fowler will brief the Security Council today on his recent consultations in Luanda with President dos Santos and his senior officials. 19. Angolan Government forces appear to be pursuing a successful military offensive and state authority is gradually being re-established. However, I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that for an enduring peace to become a reality in Angola, a political solution to the conflict will have to be pursued. That is why the Secretary-General was encouraged by the Angolan government's recent indication that the Lusaka Protocol remained a valid basis for a resumed peace process. 20. There is no question that UNITA bears the primary responsibility for the continued humanitarian and human rights catastrophe in Angola. However, it is incumbent on the Government to ensure that all those living in areas recently under UNITA control are treated in accordance with international humanitarian law, and to do everything possible to improve the human rights situation in the country. 21. As mandated by the Security Council, the new United Nations office in Angola will continue to assist the government and civic organizations in the area of capacity building, humanitarian assistance and the promotion of human rights. The Secretary-General is encouraged by the decision of the Council of Ministers to approve the Status of Mission Agreement that has now been forwarded to the National Assembly for endorsement. He hopes that the Government would soon conclude action on that issue. 22. To give added impetus to the search for a political solution of the conflict in Angola, the Secretary-General recently appointed Professor Ibrahim Gambari as his Special Advisor on African issues and asked him to pay particular attention to Angola. He also intends to appoint the Head of the new UN office in Angola soon. The Secretary-General looks forward to an early opportunity to exchange views with the Government on the future role of the United Nations in Angola, a role that would make it possible for the Organization to make a meaningful contribution to the search for lasting peace in the country and to the security and stability of the region. (end text) (Note: A Web site on the U.N. Month of Africa can be accessed at the following URL: http://www.usia.gov/regional/af/unmonth/ ) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State)
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
