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News Release usually early in the mornings.
Here's some other news of interest.
GOVERNMENT AND UNITA AGREE TO TIMETABLE TO COMPLETE PEACE PROCESS
President dos Santos and Dr. Savimbi to Meet in Luanda in February
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Washington, D.C., January 13, 1998: The Government of Angola and UNITA have agreed to complete all outstanding issues contained in the Lusaka Protocol peace accord by the end of February. Importantly, President Jose Eduardo dos Santos agreed with the suggestion of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi that they should meet in Luanda between February 17-21 (rather than the January 15-20 timeframe that was suggested by the government). The meeting would occur after UNITA declares that the process of demobilization and integration is officially completed, UNITA is officially recognized as a political party and has opened its headquarters in Luanda, UNITA's Radio VORGAN has been transformed into a non-partisan FM radio station, the promulgation of Savimbi's special status, and the process of extending state administration has been completed, specifically in Bailundo and Andulo.
The accord was reached after direct talks between the government and UNITA, and during meetings within the Joint Commission. Angolan Ambassador to the United States Antonio dos Santos Franca said that "this agreement marks the beginning of the final chapter of the full implementation of the Lusaka peace process." He added that "we look forward to working cooperatively with UNITA to resolve all outstanding issues. We are equally eager to welcome Dr. Savimbi to Luanda for what we are confident will be a fruitful meeting between the President and the UNITA leader."
In order to maintain momentum, Minister of Territorial Administration, Faustino Muteka, and Vice Minister, Higino Carneiro, traveled to Andulo on January 12 for meetings with Savimbi and his colleagues. Amb. Franca noted that "these talks enabled the government to discuss the details of next steps, and to demonstrate to the international community a determination to bring the peace process to closure as soon as possible."
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For Further Information Contact Mr. Armando Francisco at the Angolan Embassy at 202-785-1156
News on Angola
Monday, January 12, 1998
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Dos Santos Receives UNITA Team, Message From Savimbi
Text of report by Televisao Popular de Angola on 9th January
President Jose Eduardo dos Santos today granted an audience to a National Union for the Total Independence of Angola [UNITA] team including Isaias Samakuva, head of the UNITA team to the Joint Commission, and UNITA official Celestino Cabapelo. The meeting focused on the Lusaka Protocol's implementation. Samakuva also delivered a message from UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi. The meeting took place at Luanda's Futungo de Belas Palace and was attended by the heads of the government team to the Joint Commission.
Sources in the president's office disclosed that the audience also dealt with matters pertaining to a long-awaited Dos Santos-Savimbi meeting in Luanda at a date to be disclosed at a later stage.
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Dos Santos Telephones Savimbi
Excerpt From Report By Radio Nacional De Angola On 9th January
New information has transpired concerning the audience President Jose Eduardo dos Santos granted to a National Union for the Total Independence of Angola [UNITA] team at Luanda's Futungo de Belas Palace today.
The President's Office spokesman told the Angolan Press Agency, Angop, that immediately after the audience President Dos Santos telephoned UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi. The two men exchanged views on the main points discussed during the audience and the Lusaka Protocol' s implementation...
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UNITA Says Preparations Under Way For Dos Santos-Savimbi Meeting
Text of report by Televisao Popular de Angola on 9th January
The Joint Commission today approved a new timetable for implementing all the outstanding Lusaka Protocol tasks. All being well, the protocol's implementation should be over by 28th February. This was one of the decisions made at the first Joint Commission meeting of 1998, which was preceded by intensive consultations and a telephone conversation between President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and Jonas Savimbi, National Union for the Total Independence of Angola [UNITA] leader. It is believed this conversation greatly facilitated negotiation and eased the meeting's atmosphere. After an in-depth analysis of the report, the Joint Commission found the situation in the country to be calm, and to have improved over the last few days. Joint Commission spokesman Yekouba Kebe said this:
[Kebe - recording in French, with passage-by-passage translation into Portuguese] From a political point of view, the Joint Commission has noted with great satisfaction the pursuit of direct dialogue between the government and UNITA, and in particular between President Dos Santos and Dr Savimbi.
The Joint Commission would also like to take this opportunity to express its satisfaction with the drawing up of a new timetable, which was approved today. This timetable provides for the implementation of all Lusaka Protocol's tasks, with the exception of one point that must still be discussed by the two sides. [End of recording]
The new timetable comes into force today and expires on 28th February. The government team has said it has no problem with this and hopes UNITA feels the same way. This is what Deputy Minister Without Portfolio Higino Carneiro said:
[Carneiro - recording] There are good prospects. We have every hope that everything we have just discussed at this meeting will in fact be fulfilled. As you know, we have approved a final timetable for implementing the Lusaka Protocol's tasks. We must all hope that the goodwill conveyed by UNITA this morning, even in the presence of President Dos Santos, will really happen. We must work to ensure that the programme is implemented.
[Unidentified reporter] This means that the Lusaka Protocol will expire on 28th February, does it not?
[Carneiro] I think it is possible. This is what we are all pushing for, and we will work to that end. Let us see whether UNITA will deliver and honour its promises this time.
[Q] Where do you feel more progress has been achieved in this programme? And where have you experienced difficulties?
[A] UNITA has caused difficulties, not us. Some of the outstanding tasks must be carried out by UNITA itself. The government must also fulfil some tasks, but they are being taken care of.
[Q] Isaias Samakuva [head of the UNITA team to the Joint Commission] said yesterday that the timetable proposed by government was done in bad faith.
[A] That is what he said, but he eventually agreed with our point of view.
[Q] What about the meeting between President Dos Santos and UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi?
[A] The two teams are working to create the right conditions for the meeting to go ahead. What I can tell you at this time is that we are preparing the agenda for the meeting.
[Q] Will it happen on 19th January?
[A] No. Please wait for the announcement. When the time is right, you will be told the date, venue and so forth.
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Congolese Army Chief Ends Visit, Says Angolan Army "Bulwark For Peace"
Excerpt from report by Televisao Popular de Angola on 9th January
Yves Mutano Mongonot, chief of general staff of the Congolese armed forces, today expressed his belief that the Angolan armed forces are a bulwark for peace in the region. General Mongonot left Luanda this morning for his country after holding meetings with various military figures in this country...
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Dos Santos Receives Two Ministers From Democratic Republic Of Congo
Text of report by Televisao Popular de Angola on 10th January
President Jose Eduardo dos Santos received two envoys from President Laurent Kabila at the Futungo de Belas Palace in Luanda today. The two envoys are Economy Minister [Pierre-]Victor Mpoyo and Foreign Minister Karaha Bizima. The meeting, which dealt with political and economic issues, was attended by Prime Minister Franca van Dunem and senior officials from the President's Office.
[Mpoyo - recording, in French with passage-by-passage translation into Portuguese] President Kabila has sent a special political message to President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, which was delivered by our foreign minister. I am here within the framework of economic cooperation between our two countries. [End of recording]
The Democratic Republic of Congo views Angola as a privileged partner in regional political stability and economic integration. The two officials left Luanda for their country today.
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Angola Trains More National Petroleum Professionals
Source: Xinhua News Agency
Angolan Minister of Petroleum Albina Assis said here today that the country will attach great importance to training national professionals on the petroleum front to ensure a sustainable development in the petroleum industry. She made the remarks during a meeting with officials from the ministry. Angola's petroleum industry has witnessed rapid development in the recent years.
Minister Albina revealed that the training of national professionals has always been a priority in the ministry's objective. In 1997, a total of 2,683 Angolans were training in foreign companies, which accounted for 62.7 percent of all Angolans in the industry. The petroleum industry in Angola has made great stride in recent years, with daily oil output increasing from 600,000 barrels two years ago to the present 750,000 barrels. It is estimated that by early next century, the output will reach one million barrels a day.
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