Angola.

The Security Council on 16 April extended the mandate of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) until 30 June 1997, with the understanding that the Mission would proceed, as appropriate, with the transition towards an observer mission. The Council said it intended to consider the establishment of a follow-on United Nations presence to succeed UNAVEM III, and requested the Secretary-General to submit no later than 6 June recommendations regarding the structure, specific goals and cost implications of such a mission.

The follow-on observer mission was expected to focus on political, police and human rights aspects, as well as on humanitarian and public information programmes in support of the national reconciliation process.

Following two meetings and statements by 29 speakers on the situation in Angola, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 1106 (1997), by which it also requested the Secretary-General to complete the withdrawal of UNAVEM Ill military units as scheduled, taking into account progress in the remaining relevant aspects of the peace process.

Reiterating the importance of full implementation by the Government of Angola and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) of their commitments to the peace process, the Council strongly urged them to complete without delay the remaining military aspects of the process. Among those aspects are the incorporation of UNITA soldiers into the Angolan Armed Forces and their demobilization, and the selection and incorporation of UNITA personnel into the Angolan National Police. The parties were also urged to complete the normalization of State administration throughout the national territory.

The Council warmly welcomed the inauguration on 11 April of the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation (GURN), and said it considered that a meeting between Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and UNITA President Jonas Savimbi within the territory of Angola would contribute to national reconciliation.

Afonso Van Dunem "Mbinda" of Angola told the Council on 16 April that the international community had witnessed an important turning point in the history of Angola - the inauguration of GURN and the return of UNITA members to parliament. The future of the country was in the hands of Angolans, and their courage, tenacity and spirit of sacrifice would bring peace and prosperity, he said.

Sergey V. Lavrov of the Russian Federation, which along with Portugal and the United States form the three Observer States to the peace process, said that just two weeks ago it had appeared that the peace process had been locked in stalemate. But the solidarity of the international community and the visit to Angola by Secretary-General Kofi Annan had set things moving once again, culminating in the formation of GURN. The peace process had ascended to a new level, he stressed.

Bill Richardson of the United States cautioned that the formation of the new Government was not an end in itself and alone did not guarantee the success of the peace process. Nevertheless, it was an essential step forward and represented a commitment to political pluralism and reconciliation.

Council President Antonio Monteiro of Portugal, speaking as a representative of his country, said all Angolans must believe in the process and act accordingly, with an open heart and mind. "Peace, prosperity and democracy are the separate threads that will unite Angola in a joint destiny", he stressed. National reconciliation must mean national unity in a democracy.

Developments 'encouraging'

On 14 April, Secretary-General Annan informed the Council that developments in Angola since his last report on 26 March had been "very encouraging". The approval by the Angolan National Assembly of the legislation concerning the special status of the President of UNITA on 8 April and the inauguration of GURN on 11 April had marked "an essential step forward in the peace process", he said.

However, much remained to be done, including moving expeditiously to normalize State administration throughout the whole country, completing the formation of the unified armed forces and the national police, as well as the demobilization of the UNITA military personnel, according to the Secretary-General.

In that context, Mr. Annan recommended that the Council approve the extension of UNAVEM III until the end of June, on the understanding that it would gradually proceed with the transition towards an observer mission.

On 31 March, the Council, adopting unanimously resolution 1102 (1997), had extended UNAVEM III's mandate until 16 April, asking Mr. Annan to report back before then on the status of GURN.

In a 25 March report, the Secretary-General had recommended the two-week extension, giving the uncertainty regarding the exact date for the inauguration of GURN. His meetings in Angola during his 22 to 25 March visit had given rise to positive expectations in the peace process, he said.

The Council on 21 March expressed "full support" for Mr. Annan in his mission. In a presidential statement on behalf of the Council, Zbigniew Wlosowicz of Poland also reminded UNITA of its obligations, in accordance with the 1994 Lusaka Protocol and subsequent agreements.

In a 19 March report, Mr. Annan had attributed the delay in the GURN's formation primarily to the failure of UNITA to send all its officials to Luanda as previously agreed. "The situation", he said, "is seriously undermining the credibility of the peace process and should not be allowed to continue."

Noting that the patience of the international community was "wearing thin", he said he had decided to visit Angola to make a first-hand assessment of the situation.

On 27 February, the Council had extended the mandate of UNAVEM III until 31 March, while urging the Government and, in particular, UNITA to solve the remaining military and other issues, and to establish GURN.

In unanimously adopting resolution 1098 (1997), it said it was deeply concerned at a second delay in forming the new Government, adding that it would be ready to consider "the imposition of measures", in light of a further report of the Secretary-General.

Mr. Annan on 7 February had stressed that the pace of implementation of the remaining military and political tasks, owing mainly to UNITA's lack of cooperation, had been painfully slow and disappointing. "Attempts to introduce linkages or conditions for moving the peace process forward will not be supported by the international community and must be abandoned immediately", he said.

On 30 January, the Council, in a presidential statement read by Hisashi Owada of Japan, had cautioned UNITA and the Angolan Government that "the international community can only provide assistance if progress is achieved in the peace process and that it will consider a United Nations presence in Angola after the expiration of the UNAVEM III mandate in this context".

$38 million needed for 1997 Angola repatriation programme

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on 21 February launched an appeal for US$38.2 million for its repatriation programme for 1997 for more than 300,000 Angolan refugees.

The Office said more than 74,000 Angolan refugees had returned to Angola since June 1996 when it started activities in the country. "In the last year alone, about 59,400 Angolans returned on their own to their country. Many more wish to return", said Nicolas Bwakira, UNHCR's Regional Director for Southern Africa Operations.