DATE=1/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N - ANGOLA (L-O)
NUMBER=2-258185
BYLINE=BARBARA SCHOETZAU
DATELINE=NEW YORK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: At the United Nations, the chairman of the U-N
Sanctions Committee for Angola, Canadian
representative Robert Fowler, says today (Tuesday)
that sanctions against the UNITA rebel forces in
Angola are working. Correspondent Barbara Schoetzau
reports.
TEXT: Ambassador Fowler has just returned from a
visit to Angola where he traveled through former rebel
territory and interviewed former members of UNITA's
military. Mr. Fowler says sanctions against UNITA are
starting to have a real impact on the rebel force's
ability to fight government troops and continue civil
war.
/// FOWLER ACT ///
Sanctions are having an effect, for example, by
impairing UNITA's ability to transport the
weapons systems and the fuel it needs in Angola,
and by reducing the number of people prepared to
offer support to UNITA in violations of the
existing sanctions. When coupled with the
Angolan government's recent military successes,
the overall impact upon UNITA's capacity to wage
war has been significant indeed. It would be
premature to suggest that this war of three
decades' duration is at an end, but it may be
nearing the beginning of the end.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Fowler says the international community can sever
rebel leader Jonas Savimbi's lifeline by rigorously
complying with United Nations sanctions. The Canadian
ambassador says former UNITA military members he met
during his trip gave him the names of violators of the
U-N sanctions. But Mr. Fowler does not want to reveal
those names before a U-N experts report on the topic
is released in March.
/// REST OPT ///
In videotaped interviews played for the Security
Council, former members of the UNITA military told
Ambassador Fowler and his team that Mr. Savimbi does
not - as many observers believe - have an extensive
financial network abroad, but barters in diamonds to
cover operating expenses. They also told the U-N team
that Mr. Savimbi used an earlier period of peace to
restock his supplies.
/// FOWLER ACT ///
UNITA used the period of partial implementation
of the Lusaka Peace accord to replenish the
armaments, to procure and store large quantities
of petroleum and to otherwise prepare for war.
/// END ACT ///
The former members of the UNITA military also said a
UNITA soldier shot down two U-N airplanes a year ago.
The so-called Troika of Observer States - Portugal,
the Russian Federation and the United States - urged
all countries to enforce the sanctions against UNITA
and encouraged the international community to continue
helping the government of Angola in addressing its
disastrous humanitarian crisis. At the same time, the
Troika also urged the government of Angola to protect
human rights and create conditions for a democratic
society. (Signed)
NEB/NYC/BJS/LSF/JP
18-Jan-2000 15:05 PM EDT (18-Jan-2000 2005 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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