SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS MISTREATMENT OF INTERNATIONAL PERSONNEL IN UNITA-CONTROLLED AREAS OF ANGOLA

23 July 1997

Press Release
SC/6400

SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS MISTREATMENT OF INTERNATIONAL PERSONNEL IN UNITA-CONTROLLED AREAS OF ANGOLA

19970723 In Presidential Statement, Council Expresses Concern at Destabilizing Actions in Angola; Reaffirms Readiness to Impose Restrictions against UNITA

The Security Council this afternoon condemned the mistreatment of the personnel of the United Nations and international humanitarian organizations in areas controlled by the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and the harassment of those working for the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA).

In a statement read by its President, Peter Osvald (Sweden), the Council described those actions as unacceptable and contrary to UNITA's Lusaka Protocol commitments and Council resolutions. In that regard, it expressed full support for the joint statement made on 14 July by MONUA and representatives of the three Observer States (Portugal, Russian Federation and United States).

Noting with concern that the increasing tension in northern Angola was rapidly spreading to its central and southern provinces with very dangerous implications for the peace process, the Council called upon UNITA and the Angolan Government to refrain from the use of force. It also called upon them to continue working closely with the Joint Commission and, in particular UNITA, to cooperate fully with MONUA and to ensure the freedom of movement and safety of its personnel.

Further, the Council expressed deep concern at recent destabilizing actions in Angola, particularly UNITA's failure to comply with resolution 1118 (1997) and its continued efforts to restore its military capabilities. Noting with concern MONUA reports that unauthorized aircraft had landed in UNITA- controlled territory, the Council called upon all States to comply fully with paragraph 19 of resolution 864 (1993) of 15 September 1993. By that paragraph, the Council prohibited the sale or supply of arms and related matériel to UNITA and asked all States to prevent such transactions.

The Council reaffirmed its readiness to consider imposing sanctions, such as trade measures against UNITA and restrictions on the travel of its personnel, unless it took irreversible steps to demilitarize all of its forces, transform its radio station Vorgan into a non-partisan broadcasting facility, and cooperate fully in the normalization of State administration

throughout Angola. The Secretary-General was asked to report on UNITA's compliance by 15 August.

The meeting began at 12:37 p.m. and adjourned at 12:44 p.m.

Text of Statement

The full text of the presidential statement, to be issued as document S/PRST/1997/39, reads as follows:

"The Security Council expresses its deep concern at recent destabilizing actions in Angola, in particular the failure of the Uniao Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA) to comply with resolution 1118 (1997) of 30 June 1997 and its continued efforts to restore its military capabilities. The Council considers the information submitted by UNITA to the Joint Commission on 21 July 1997 with regard to the strength of its armed forces, the extension of State administration and the activities of Vorgan radio station to be neither complete nor credible.

"The Security Council condemns the mistreatment of the personnel of the United Nations and international humanitarian organizations in areas under UNITA control, as well as the harassment of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) personnel in the exercise of their functions. Those actions by UNITA are unacceptable and contrary to its commitments under the Lusaka Protocol and to Security Council resolutions. In this regard, the Council fully supports the joint statement by MONUA and the representatives of the three Observer States issued on 14 July 1997.

"The Security Council notes with concern that the increasing tension in the northern part of the country is rapidly spreading to the central and southern provinces with very dangerous implications for the implementation of the remaining tasks of the peace process, including those referred to in Security Council resolution 1118 (1997). The Council calls upon both parties to refrain from any use of force, in accordance with their commitments under the Lusaka Protocol.

"The Security Council also calls upon both parties to continue to work closely with the Joint Commission, and in particular UNITA, to cooperate fully with MONUA and to ensure the freedom of movement and the safety of its personnel, as well as of international humanitarian organizations.

"The Security Council reiterates its belief that the long-awaited meeting within the territory of Angola between the President of Angola and the leader of UNITA could greatly contribute to the reduction of tension and to the process of national reconciliation.

Security Council - 3 - Press Release SC/6400 3803rd Meeting (PM) 23 July 1997

"The Security Council notes with concern reports from MONUA that unauthorized aircraft have landed in territory under UNITA control. In this context, the Council calls upon all States to comply fully with paragraph 19 of resolution 864 (1993) of 15 September 1993.

"The Security Council reaffirms its readiness to consider the imposition of measures, inter alia, those specifically mentioned in paragraph 26 of resolution 864 (1993), unless UNITA takes irreversible and concrete steps immediately to fulfil its obligations under the Lusaka Protocol. These steps should include demilitarization of all its forces, transformation of its radio station Vorgan into a non-partisan broadcasting facility, and full cooperation in the process of the normalization of State administration throughout Angola. The Council requests the Secretary-General to keep it fully informed on the implementation of those tasks and to assess their fulfilment by UNITA in his report which is to be submitted by 15 August 1997 in accordance with resolution 1118 (1997).

"The Security Council will continue to monitor closely the situation in Angola and will remain seized of the matter."

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