UN envoy, Angolan President discuss partnership to consolidate peace

Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Advisor for Africa met today with the President of Angola to discuss ways that the world body can help the war-ravaged country to consolidate peace.

Following their meeting, envoy Ibrahim Gambari told reporters that he had delivered to President Jose Eduardo dos Santos a letter from the Secretary-General, which came in reply to the UN envoy’s request for UN assistance in all phases of the peace process. Mr. Gambari also said he had reported to the President on the work of the UN assessment team which he has been leading in Angola since the 10 June.

Discussions focused on “specific ways in which the United Nations can be a partner in consolidating peace here in Angola, promoting national reconciliation, deepening democracy and promoting national reconstruction,” he said.

Saying he had been “very well received by the President,” Mr. Gambari reported that they had reviewed the main issues of concern. “We will continue the discussions at the technical level,” he said, adding, “The rest of the team will continue their visit.”

The findings of the assessment team will be included in the Secretary-General’s next report to the Security Council on necessary adjustments to the UN presence in Angola.