PRESS BRIEFING BY CHAIRMAN OF SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON ANGOLA

Press Briefing

PRESS BRIEFING BY CHAIRMAN OF SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON ANGOLA

Njuguna M. Mahugu (Kenya), Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 864 (1993) concerning the situation in Angola, this afternoon informed correspondence of the just-concluded meeting of that sanctions monitoring body, at a press conference at United Nations Headquarters.

Mr. Mahugu began by expressing his concern about the general situation in Angola, which remained precarious. The peace process had been stalling since a new timetable on implementation of tasks was adopted by the parties in January. Very little had been achieved in terms of implementation of tasks under that timetable, he said. That was mainly a result of failure by the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) to fulfil its obligations.

The Chairman called on the Angolan parties, particularly UNITA, to remain committed to the Lusaka peace process and to fulfil their obligations immediately and fully, without linking the implementation of their obligations with other elements. He also appealed to the parties in Angola to refrain from any action which might result in violence. It was also important for the parties to give the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) their full cooperation.

The Committee on Angola was established by the Security Council to deal with the matter of sanctions, he reminded correspondents. Today, it met to continue discussions initiated a few weeks ago following the adoption of Council resolutions 1127 (1998) and 1135 (1998) regarding sanctions against UNITA. A press release was issued on 20 February, including the list of names approved by the Committee on UNITA senior officials, under the category of adult family members, against whom travel restrictions were to be applied. Some 80 names appeared on the list, including that of the leader of UNITA, Jonas Savimbi.

"The Security Council relies on the cooperation of Member States in the implementation of these travel restrictions", Mr. Mahugu went on to say. "These so-called 'smart sanctions' are targeted so as not to hurt innocent civilian populations in Angola." The Committee would continue to study the situation, and might delete or add to the names on that list as and when it was considered appropriate, depending on the developments in the evolving situation in Angola.

Angola Briefing - 2 - 4 March 1998

"The Committee is also considering other measures that could be applied against UNITA, but we hope that the parties -- especially UNITA -- could proceed with the peace process, so that no further measures will be deemed necessary", he said.

Mr. Mahugu said the Committee had also considered a proposal to visit Angola and neighbouring countries in future. That proposal received unanimous support at the Committee level, but was still in the discussion stage. There was a need to consult with the members of the Security Council and to gain its support before such a mission could be undertaken.

At present, however, it was still a proposal which had been discussed at the Committee level, he said. "They feel that, at this stage of developments in Angola, perhaps such a visit could assist in re-energizing the peace process, and to send a clear message to the parties in Angola, particularly UNITA, that the Sanctions Committee does exist and it will act according to its mandate."

Asked if he could elaborate on an incident which had taken place involving a South African aircraft, Mr. Mahugu said the Committee had talked about the matter, but had not reached any conclusions. "Consultations are still going on and more information is required. It will be a subject of discussion for the Committee at a future meeting."

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