Angola: Council condemns terrorist attacks by UNITA, maintains sanctions

The United Nations Security Council today condemned terrorist attacks by rebels in Angola and said it would maintain sanctions against them until they met the conditions laid out in its resolutions.

"The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks by UNITA [União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola] forces on the civilian population of Angola," Council President Jean-David Levitte of France said in a statement read out in an open meeting of the 15-member world body. "It stresses that such attacks are unacceptable and cannot be justified by any political goals. Such acts are in violation of international law and may have further implications."

The primary responsibility for the continued fighting in Angola lies with the armed faction of UNITA headed by Joseph Savimbi, which is refusing to fulfil its obligations under the "Accordos de Paz," the Lusaka Protocol and relevant resolutions of the Security Council, the statement said. "The Council considers the four-point agenda for peace proposed by the Government of Angola a useful indication of areas where an agreement or progress should be reached," the statement said, calling on Mr. Savimbi to cease all military action and to enter into a dialogue with the Government of Angola on how to conclude the implementation of the Lusaka protocol.

Reaffirming its determination to maintain sanctions against the rebels until they had met their obligations under the peace agreements and Council resolutions, the Council reiterated its call on all States to implement the sanctions.

The Security Council also encouraged Angolan authorities to promote the peace process, calling on the Government to continue efforts at national reconciliation and stabilization of the situation in consultation with all segments of the Angolan society, including civil society and the Churches. The efforts, it said, should focus on re-establishing the state administration, improving the social and economic situation, promoting the rule of law, protecting human rights, and on the activity of the Interagency Committee and the Peace and Reconciliation Fund.

The Security Council said it supported the Government's intention to hold elections as a part of the ongoing democratization process, and stressed the need for the elections to be free and fair.

On the humanitarian front, the Council said it was "seriously concerned" with the plight of the Angolan people, particularly the internally displaced, and called on all parties concerned to facilitate the delivery of relief aid. It said the work of UN agencies should continue unobstructed and with financial help from donor countries.