Military

DATE=2/12/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=UN / ANGOLA (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-299591

BYLINE=JENNY BADNER

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United Nations is completing its mission in Angola aimed at arranging humanitarian help and promoting human rights. Correspondent Jenny Badner reports from the United Nations U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan sees the decision to end the mandate as a sign of progress.

TEXT: In his most recent report on Angola, U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan said the country is "firmly placed on a path of political, social and economic recovery."

After holding consultations on the issue, Germany's Ambassador Gunter Plueger, whose country holds the rotating U-N Security Council presidency, told reporters the Council welcomes the implementation of a nearly decade old peace accord for Angola and the end of the United Nation's mandate.

/ / / PLUEGER ACT / / /

Members of the Council welcome the report of the Secretary General on the completion of the U-N mission in Angola, UNMA, which will end on the 15th of February.

/ / / END ACT / / /

Mr. Annan says Angola still needs assistance in areas of human rights, removing land mines, the reintegration of ex-combatants, humanitarian assistance and economic recovery. He says Angola also should hold general elections soon.

Angola is rich in both petroleum and diamonds, but it had been mired in a civil war for over thirty years. The warring sides signed a ceasefire six weeks after the February 22, 2002, death of rebel leader Jonas Savimbi. (SIGNED)

NEB/JB/MAR