To All
***Angolan News***
News on Angola
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Official Says Government Has Fulfilled Tasks Under Peace Plan
Televisao Popular de Angola on March 23
Deputy Territorial Administration Minister Higino Carneiro this morning told Angolan TV that the government has already fulfilled its part of the tasks contained in the new timetable and challenged anyone to say the contrary. Higino Carneiro ignored the latest statements by the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola [UNITA] in Bailundo attributing to the government the responsibility for choosing between long-lasting peace and war.
[Carneiro - recording] We are concerned by the fact that UNITA offices abroad have not been closed, the fact that long visas have not been withdrawn from the various UNITA officials abroad, and the violations of neighboring countries which support UNITA.
[Unidentified reporter] What about the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol timetable?
[Carneiro] We have assessed the issue. The government has fully implemented its tasks under the timetable set recently whose deadline is 1st April. Our main concern is the process of disarmament of the civilian population, which began a long time ago. We had the opportunity to hear a primary report by the Police General Command. The police set a grace period in which the population must hand over the weapons freely, at the end of which it will use coercive methods to collect them. So this is our main concern at present.
The main tasks have been concluded. The demobilization of UNITA residual forces continues, although we may soon have to take a decision on the issue, as a number of residual soldiers scheduled to be demobilized have not turned up. Of the 1,600 soldiers due to be demobilized in situ only 390 turned up. Time is passing and the timetable has already been altered, and we will not continue like this. We will let [words indistinct] those who did not present themselves will do so later on. As you know, the government has issued a statement allowing UNITA to operate as a political party throughout the country. The status of the UNITA president has also been promulgated by President Dos Santos. These were the fundamental issues in the timetable. Now we hope UNITA will fulfil its obligations [words indistinct] on the regulations on security of the UNITA leader. UNITA should close down the Voice of Resistance of the Black Cockerel, it should move to Luanda, and should also implement the other remaining tasks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNITA "Residual Forces" Fire at UN Helicopters In Malanje
Radio Nacional de Angola on March 24
UNITA residual forces today prevented the reinstatement of state administration in the Cambundi-Catembo District of Malanje Province. Two UNOMA [UN Observer Mission in Angola] helicopters heading for the district to attend the ceremony were shot at and had to return to the capital of Malanje District. In view of this criminal action, officials from the government, UNITA and UNOMA met this afternoon and condemned those bent on disturbing peace. Goncalves Cambalhota, head of the UNITA technical group, told Radio Angola at the end of the meeting that the action of the residual forces does not mean failure and his party will do everything to fight such actions. Despite this incident, the process will continue. State administration will be reinstated in Quinguengue commune, Massango District.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNITA Reportedly Murders 16 Policemen Near Cuito Cuanavale
Angop News Agency on March 20
Superintendent Gregorio Neto, acting Angolan Police commander in Cuando Cubango Province, today announced that 16 policemen who disappeared on 8th March were murdered. The policemen were abducted while on their way to Cuito Cuanavale, following reports that UNITA was preparing a military offensive against Mavinga District, where they were based.
Speaking to the media in Menongue, Superintendent Neto said the 16 men were murdered at Base Porto, 32 km from Cuito Cuanavale, on 12th March. He also disclosed that two other policemen managed to escape, after being thought dead and thrown into a mass grave.
Surviving policemen Domingos Daniel and Jose Filomeno said their group had "accidentally" gone through Base Porto because they were not sure about the way to Cuito Cuanavale. Daniel and Filomeno also said that the head abductor, a Captain Lukussy, ordered the policemen to be disarmed in order to be executed.
The Angolan Police Cuando Cubango Province commander has reported the incident to the UN Observer Mission in Angola for further investigation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Police Find Arms Cache in Former UNITA Area of Moxico Province
Angop News Agency on March 20
In Luena, the capital of Moxico Province, the Angolan police today presented an array of weapons found in an arms cache in Camanongue, 53 km east of Luena, on 18th March. Speaking to the Angolan Press Agency, Angop, Police Disarmament Coordinator Bernardo Cabo Lutete said the arms cache was found thanks to reports from residents. Camanongue was until recently under the control of UNITA.
The weapons included 60 AKM rifles, sixteen 60 mm mortars, five RPG-7 rocket launcher shells, two B-10 shells, four clips, a carbine, and two F-1 offensive hand grenades, among other war materiel.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zambian Envoy Visits Amidst Allegations Of Support For UNITA
Televisao Popular De Angola on March 24
President Jose Eduardo dos Santos today received a message from his Zambian counterpart, Frederick Chiluba. The message was conveyed by Minister of State Eric Silwamba and concerns Zambia's internal political situation. President Chiluba's special envoy arrived this morning and soon after was received by the president. Questioned about the situation along the common border and allegations that Zambia is being used for the supply of UNITA logistics, Eric Silwamba said he briefed President Dos Santos on the issue, and avoided going into details.
[Silwamba - recording, in English with passage-by-passage translation into Portuguese] I came with a special message from President Chiluba for his brother President Dos Santos informing him of Zambia's internal situation since the failed 28th October coup and the ensuing developments. It was significant to come today because the state of emergency has been revoked by President Chiluba and parliament will this afternoon formally revoke it. This is also to assure that President Chiluba is in control of the situation and that Zambia's internal situation is very, very fine. [End of recording]
On the situation of former President David Kenneth Kaunda, currently under house arrest for his alleged involvement in the coup d'etat, the Zambian minister of state said he trusts in the judicial system of his country and noted that in a democratic country no-one should be opposed to the law.
Things still seem as if they have a way to go before the market will put too much weight in SUF's Angolan assets.
Regards |
