SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON UNITA LEADERSHIP TO CLEAR WITHDRAWAL OF 14 PEACEKEEPERS DEPLOYED TO ITS STRONGHOLD OF ANDULO AND BAILUNDO
Press Release
SG/SM/6818
AFR/119
SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON UNITA LEADERSHIP TO CLEAR WITHDRAWAL OF 14 PEACEKEEPERS DEPLOYED TO ITS STRONGHOLD OF ANDULO AND BAILUNDO
19981204 The following is a statement issued today attributable to the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:Almost one month ago, in view of the dangerous deterioration of the security situation in the central region of Angola, the United Nations decided to temporarily relocate the two team sites of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) deployed in the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) strongholds of Andulo and Bailundo. This decision was made in consultation with the Security Council, which was fully briefed about the reasons behind the proposed relocation.
So far, despite the persistent efforts of the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Angola and the Force Commander of MONUA, the UNITA leadership in Bailundo has refused, under various pretexts, to provide the necessary clearance for United Nations aircraft to land in Andulo and Bailundo in order to evacuate MONUA personnel.
The Secretary-General is extremely concerned about the situation, with the 14 peacekeepers remaining in the above-mentioned locations. In its resolution 1213 (1998) adopted on 3 December, the Security Council stressed that it holds the leadership of UNITA in Bailundo responsible for the safety and security of these peacekeepers. Any restriction on the freedom of movement of United Nations personnel is intolerable and violates UNITA's obligations under the Lusaka Protocol. The Secretary-General strongly urges the UNITA leadership and personally Jonas Savimbi to cooperate fully and immediately with MONUA in the withdrawal of United Nations peacekeepers from Andulo and Bailundo.
This task has acquired additional urgency with the recent intensification of military operations around the two team sites. The Secretary-General appeals to all concerned, including the Government of Angola, to exercise the utmost restraint so as not to endanger the lives of United Nations personnel, as well as civilians, and avoid further deterioration of the situation on the ground.
* *** *