SECURITY COUNCIL STRONGLY CONDEMNS ATTACKS AGAINST PERSONNEL FROM UNITED NATIONS, ANGOLAN NATIONAL POLICE, MONUA

22 May 1998

Press Release
SC/6520

SECURITY COUNCIL STRONGLY CONDEMNS ATTACKS AGAINST PERSONNEL FROM UNITED NATIONS, ANGOLAN NATIONAL POLICE, MONUA

19980522 In Presidential Statement, Demands Guarantee Of Safety of UN and Other International Personnel

The Security Council this morning strongly condemned the armed attack in Angola on 19 May against personnel from the United Nations and the Angolan National Police, in which one person was killed and three people were seriously injured. It also strongly condemned the confirmed attacks by members of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) on the personnel of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA), international personnel and Angolan national authorities.

Through a statement read by its President, Njuguna M. Mahugu (Kenya), the Council demanded that the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation and in particular UNITA guarantee unconditionally the safety and freedom of movement of all United Nations and other international personnel.

In a related provision, the Council strongly deplored the failure of UNITA to complete the implementation of its remaining obligations under the "Acordos de Paz" (Peace Accords), the Lusaka Protocol and relevant Security Council resolutions, especially its failure to cooperate in completing the normalization of State administration throughout the national territory, particularly in Andulo and Bailundo.

Citing the serious deterioration in the country's military and security situation resulting from the lack of progress in the peace process, the Council expressed its deep concern at the serious abuses committed by the Angolan National Police, particularly in areas recently transferred to State administration, as well as the recent increase in hostile propaganda.

In that connection, it called on the Government and UNITA in the strongest terms to refrain from any action which might lead to renewed hostilities or derail the peace process. It also demanded that the Government and in particular UNITA fulfil their obligations in accordance with the plan for the completion of the remaining tasks of the Lusaka Protocol by 31 May, which was submitted by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the Joint Commission on 15 May.

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In that context, it reaffirmed its readiness to review the measures specified in Security Council resolution 1127 (1997) of 28 August 1997 concerning travel restrictions of UNITA members and their families, as well as the Council's readiness to consider the imposition of additional measures, such as trade and financial restrictions in the case of non-compliance by UNITA.

The meeting, which was called to order at 11:24 a.m., adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of the presidential statement, to be issued as document S/PRST/1998/14, reads as follows:

"The Security Council strongly condemns the armed attack in Angola on 19 May 1998 against personnel from the United Nations and the Angolan National Police, in which one person was killed and three people were seriously injured. It demands that the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation (GURN) and in particular the Uniao para a Independencia Total de Angola (UNITA) guarantee unconditionally the safety and freedom of movement of all United Nations and other international personnel.

"The Security Council strongly deplores the failure by UNITA to complete the implementation of its remaining obligations under the 'Acordos de Paz' (S/22609, annex), the Lusaka Protocol (S/1994/1441, annex) and relevant Security Council resolutions, especially its failure to cooperate in completing the normalization of State administration throughout the national territory, including in particular in Andulo and Bailundo. It also strongly condemns the confirmed attacks by members of UNITA on the personnel of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA), international personnel and Angolan national authorities. The Council expresses its deep concern at the serious abuses committed by the Angolan National Police, particularly in areas recently transferred to State administration, as well as at the recent increase in hostile propaganda. The lack of progress in completing the remaining tasks of the peace process has led to a serious deterioration in the military and security situation in the country. The Council calls on the GURN and UNITA in the strongest terms to refrain from any action which might lead to renewed hostilities or derail the peace process.

"The Security Council endorses the plan for the completion of the remaining tasks of the Lusaka Protocol by 31 May 1998 that was submitted by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the Joint Commission on 15 May 1998. The Council demands that the GURN and in particular UNITA fulfil their obligations in accordance with this plan. In this context, the Council reaffirms its readiness to review the measures specified in paragraph 4 of resolution 1127 (1997) of 28 August 1997 and to consider the imposition of

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additional measures in accordance with paragraphs 8 and 9 of resolution 1127 (1997).

"The Security Council expresses its appreciation to the Secretary- General, his Special Representative, and the personnel of the MONUA for their efforts to assist the GURN and UNITA to implement their peace process obligations.

"The Security Council will remain actively seized of this matter."

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