SECURITY COUNCIL CONCERNED BY SLOW PACE OF ANGOLAN PEACE
Press Release
SC/6151
SECURITY COUNCIL CONCERNED BY SLOW PACE OF ANGOLAN PEACE
19951221 Presidential Statement Says Issues To Be Dealt With Early in Process Remain Unresolved, Including Exchange of Military Information, MercenariesReiterating its concern at the slow progress in implementation of the provisions of the Lusaka Protocol, which was signed by the parties to the civil war in Angola on 20 November 1994, the Security Council this evening stressed the importance of full implementation of the political and all other aspects of the peace process there.
In a statement read out on its behalf by Council President Sergey Lavrov (Russian Federation), the Council underlined that several important tasks remained incomplete, including the exchange of detailed military information, the release of all prisoners, the redeployment of those Government troops near the Uniao Nacional para a Independencia Total de Angola (UNITA) quartering areas, and the final resolution of the issue of mercenaries. Specifically addressing the mercenary issue, the Council welcomed the recent announcement by the Government of Angola that it would terminate the contract and repatriate the personnel of the firm involved and would release all remaining prisoners.
The Council, expressing its disappointment at the slow pace of the quartering process, also called upon UNITA and the Government of Angola to fulfil their commitments regarding the expeditious quartering and demobilization of former combatants, the quartering of rapid reaction police and the return of the Forcas Armadas Angolanas to the nearest barracks.
The Council expressed deep concern at the delay in establishing a means for the integration of the armed forces, which it said was vital for the progress of national reconciliation. Dismayed by the disruptions in the military talks between the parties, it urged them to continue those talks without interruption and to conclude an equitable and practicable agreement without further delay. Also concerned by continued violations of the cease- fire and military offensives, in particular events in the northwest, the Council called on both parties to refrain from military activities or troop movements which led to increased tensions and resumed hostilities and to implement without delay the disengagement plane being prepared by the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III).
Also concerning UNAVEM III, the Council deplored the recent threat to the safety of UNAVEM III personnel and reminded the parties, in particular UNITA, that they must take steps to ensure the safety and security of all UNAVEM III and other international personnel. The Council noted that continued support for UNAVEM III would depend on the extent to which the parties demonstrated their political will to achieve a lasting peace.
Finally, the Council requested the Secretary-General to update it on the progress of the Angolan peace process and the deployment and activities of UNAVEM III at least on a monthly basis.
The meeting, which was called to order at 7:06 p.m., was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
The full text of the Presidential statement to be released as document S/PRST/1995/62, reads as follows.
"The Security Council has considered the Secretary-General's report of 7 December 1995 (S/1995/1012) on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) pursuant to paragraph 21 of Security Council resolution 1008 (1995) of 7 August 1995.
"The Security Council reiterates its concern at the slow progress in implementation of the provisions of the Lukasa Protocol. The Council stresses the importance of full implementation of the political and all other aspects of the peace process. It underlines that several important tasks that were to have been resolved in the early stages of the peace process remain incomplete, including the exchange of detailed military information, the release of all prisoners, the redeployment of those government troops near UNITA quartering areas, and the final resolution of the issue of mercenaries. In this respect, the Council welcomes the recent announcement by the Government of Angola that it will terminate the contract and repatriate the personnel of the firm involved and will release all remaining prisoners.
"The Security Council notes that the deployment of UNAVEM III troops is nearly complete and that four quartering areas are prepared to receive troops. The Council expresses its disappointment at the slow pace at which the quartering process has proceeded. It calls upon UNITA and the Government of Angola to fulfil their commitments regarding the expeditious quartering and demobilization of former combatants, the quartering of the rapid reaction police, and the return of the Forcas Armadas Angolanas (FAA) to the nearest barracks.
"The Security Council expresses deep concern at the delays in establishing modalities for the integration of the armed forces which is vital for the process of national reconciliation. The Council notes with dismay the series of disruptions in the military talks between the parties. It urges the
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parties to continue the military talks without interruption and to conclude an equitable and practicable agreement without further delay. The Council underlines that such an agreement should give particular attention to the expeditious completion of the demobilization and integration of former combatants. It recognizes that the prompt and complete exchange of military information is vital to the success of these talks and urges the parties to provide the information required by the Lusaka Protocol without further delay.
"The Security Council is gravely concerned by continued violations of the cease-fire and military offensives, in particular events in the northwest. The Council calls on both parties to refrain from military activities or troop movements which lead to increased tensions and resumed hostilities and to implement without delay the disengagement plan being prepared by UNAVEM.
"The Security Council deplores the recent threat to the safety of UNAVEM III personnel. The Council reminds the parties, in particular UNITA, that they must take the steps necessary to ensure the safety and security of all UNAVEM III and other international personnel.
"The Security Council expresses regret that UNAVEM radio is not yet operational. The Council calls upon the Government of Angola to facilitate its immediate establishment. It also calls upon both parties to cease the dissemination of hostile propaganda.
"The Security Council is concerned at delays in implementing mine- clearance programmes planned by the United Nations and by Member States, and calls upon the Government of Angola to facilitate issuance of necessary authorizations to relevant personnel. The Council calls upon the Government of Angola and UNITA to intensify their individual and joint demining efforts. It underlines that the opening of roads within Angola, including the clearance of mines and the restoration of bridges, is vital not only to the peace process and the complete employment of UNAVEM III, but also to the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance and future peace-building efforts. The Council is gravely concerned at the reports of remaining in violation of the Lusaka Protocol.
"The Security Council emphasizes that Angolans themselves bear ultimate responsibility for restoring peace and stability in their country. The Council stresses that concrete actions are urgently needed from the parties to put the peace process on an irreversible course. It notes that continued support for UNAVEM III will depend on the extent to which the parties demonstrate their political will to achieve a lasting peace.
"The Security Council notes the important role played by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and by the three observer countries in the promotion of the peace process in Angola and calls upon them to further contribute appropriately to the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol within
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the agreed time framework and to assist UNAVEM III in the successful fulfillment of its tasks.
"The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to update it on the progress of the Angolan peace process and the deployment and activities of UNAVEM III at lease on a monthly basis."
Report of Secretary-General
Before the Council was a report of the Secretary-General (S/1995/1012) in which he urgently appeals to the Government of Angola and the UNITA to demonstrate through concrete action their commitment to peace and their readiness to correct the negative factors that have prevented implementation of the Lusaka Protocol and other peace accords. Such factors include distrust, continuing military activities, foot-dragging over quartering and related activities, obstruction of free movement and the restoration of Government administration, and lack of respect for United Nations and other international personnel.
The Secretary-General says that if delays in opening up access roads continue to hamper the construction and supply of quartering areas, UNAVEM III may have to revise its operational plans or seek authorization to increase substantially its expenditures on air support. Both sides must give evidence of a more serious intention to honour their commitment to open roads, particularly along the main west-east supply routes. Currently, the UNAVEM III logistic system has to transport personnel and supplies mostly by air, stretching the Mission's resources.
The United Nations, however, is pressing ahead with its tasks of supporting the efforts of the Angolan people and their leaders to put into place the structures for lasting peace in their country, according to the report. The deployment of UNAVEM III troops is near completion and the establishment of quartering areas is well advanced. Much has been achieved since the signing of the Lusaka Protocol a year ago and the Secretary-General states that he is encouraged that the Angolan people were able to celebrate the first anniversary of the accord with peace prevailing throughout the country. The joint communique issued by the Government and UNITA reaffirmed the two parties' commitment to implement the agreements they have concluded.
The Secretary-General stresses the importance of beginning the quartering of UNITA . To be successful, he says, the quartering process must be an uninterrupted and fully verifiable exercise of limited duration. It would be unrealistic and potentially dangerous to keep soldiers in cantonment for a long period of time. The subsequent phases of demobilization and integration must also be completed expeditiously.
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Commending the international community for its perseverance in helping the Angolan parties to advance the peace process and for its assistance to the national programmes for rehabilitation and reconstruction, the Secretary- General calls for additional international assistance for the quartering of troops, the demobilization of ex-combatants, demining, reconstruction of roads and other vital tasks.
The Secretary-General goes on to state that several important tasks that should have been dealt with in the early stages of the peace process -- the release of prisoners, exchange of detailed military information and the resolution of the issue of mercenaries -- have hardly begun. It is also unacceptable that violations of the cease-fire and military preparations, including mine-laying, still persist. Human rights abuses and restrictions on the free circulation of the population also continue.
That state of affairs is aggravated by recent propaganda attacks against the United Nations and threats to the safety and security of international personnel in Angola, the report states. Hostile demonstrations were held at the UNAVEM III regional headquarters in UIGE and in a Government-controlled radio programme, the population of the province was urged to "prepare for war" against UNAVEM III. Increasing acts of banditry also pose a serious threat to the peace process as well as to the security of the United Nations and other international staff in Angola.
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