SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON ANGOLAN GOVERNMENT AND UNITA TO COOPERATE WITH FULL INVESTIGATION OF PLANE CRASH IN ANGOLA ON SATURDAY, 26 DECEMBER
Press Release
SG/SM/6851
AFR/122
SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON ANGOLAN GOVERNMENT AND UNITA TO COOPERATE WITH FULL INVESTIGATION OF PLANE CRASH IN ANGOLA ON SATURDAY, 26 DECEMBER
19981228 The following statement was issued on Saturday, 26 December, by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:The Secretary-General has learned with great sadness of the reported crash on Saturday, 26 December at approximately 12 noon local time, of United Nations flight 806, en route from Huambo to Saurimo, in Angola. The C-130 aircraft had four crew members and 10 passengers on board. Preliminary information from Government sources in Huambo indicates that the aircraft probably went down in an area east of Vila Nova, 25 kilometres from Huambo. It was also reported that heavy fighting continues between the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and Government forces in that area.
The Secretary-General appeals to the Angolan Government and UNITA to extend all possible assistance to enable the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) to reach the crash site and to assist in search and rescue operations for any survivors. The Secretary-General also calls on the two parties to cooperate with a full investigation of the crash.
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