SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES 13 NOVEMBER COMMUNIQUE ON ANGOLAN PEACE PROCESS
Press Release
SC/6130
SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES 13 NOVEMBER COMMUNIQUE ON ANGOLAN PEACE PROCESS
19951128 The Security Council this afternoon welcomed the 13 November joint communique issued by the Government of Angola and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) in which they reaffirmed their commitment to the peace process.The Council stressed, however, that much remained to be done urgently to implement the Lusaka Protocol of November 1994, including strict observance of the cease-fire, the continuation of the quartering process, the quartering of the Rapid Reaction Police, the return of the Forcas Armadas Angolanas to defensive positions and the resolution of questions regarding the modalities of military integration. The Council underlined the need for the quartering process to be completed as soon as possible.
In a statement read out by its President, Salim bin Mohammed Al- Khussaiby, the Council noted that some of the steps necessary to carry out the Lusaka Protocol had been taken recently, including the resumption of the military talks in Luanda and the movement of the first UNITA combatants to quartering areas. It also noted, however, that despite those positive steps, there continued to be cease-fire violations, importation of weapons, restrictions on freedom of movement and the presence of mercenaries.
The Council called on the Government of Angola and UNITA to continue to cooperate with the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) and to respect fully the status and security of international personnel.
(The Lusaka Protocol consists of eight annexes, which cover all military, legal and political issues agreed to at the peace talks which preceded it, held in Lusaka, Zambia. One of the main military issues concerns the withdrawal, quartering and demilitarization of the military forces of UNITA.)
The meeting, which began at 12:48 p.m., was adjourned at 12:54 p.m.
Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6130 3598th Meeting (PM) 28 November 1995
The full text of the statement, which will be issued as document S/PRST/1995/58, reads as follows:
"The Security Council welcomes the joint communique issued by the Government of Angola and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) on 13 November 1995 (S/1995/991) in which they reaffirmed their commitment to the peace process. The Council is pleased to note that some of the steps necessary to carry out the provisions of the Lusaka Protocol (S/1994/1441, annex) have been taken recently, including the resumption of the military talks in Luanda, and the movement of the first UNITA combatants to quartering areas on 20 November 1995, the first anniversary of the signing of the Lusaka Protocol. The Council underlines the need for the quartering process to be completed as soon as possible.
"The Security Council however, notes that despite these positive steps there continue to be cease-fire violations, importation of weapons, restrictions on freedom of movement, and the presence of mercenaries. The Council stresses that much remains to be done urgently to implement fully the Lusaka Protocol, including strict observance of the cease-fire, the continuation of the quartering process, the quartering of the Rapid Reaction Police, the return of the Forcas Armadas Angolanas to defensive positions, and the resolution of questions regarding the modalities of military integration. The Council calls upon the Government of Angola and UNITA to continue to cooperate with the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) and to respect fully the status and security of international personnel.
"The Security Council will follow developments in Angola closely and looks forward to receiving the comprehensive report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Angola by 8 December 1995."
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