Angola.

The Security Council Committee established to undertake the implementation of resolution 864 (1993) to monitor punitive measures imposed on the Angolan opposition party - the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) - on 23 February issued an updated list of 80 UNITA senior officials and adult members of their immediate families affected by the sanctions.

Measures under resolution 864 (1993) include the prohibition of all sale or supply to UNITA of arms and related materiel and military assistance, petroleum and petroleum product. Resolution 1127 (1997) imposed additional measures to restrict travel by UNITA, because of its failure to carry out all its obligations under the Lusaka Protocol.

On 19 February, the Council expressed its concern at the various delays in the Angolan peace process and reiterated the importance of adhering to the deadline of 28 February 1998 to complete the implementation of the peace plan.

On 27 January, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA), including the military task force, until 30 April. In unanimously adopting resolution 1149 (1998), the Council stressed the urgent need for the Government of Angola and in particular UNITA to complete the timetable approved by the Joint Commission on 9 January for the implementation of the 1994 Lusaka Protocol. It also urged the Angolan Government and UNITA to refrain from any action which might undermine the process of normalization of State administration or lead to renewed tensions. It demanded that the Government and UNITA cooperate fully with MONUA, including by providing flail access for its verification activities.

In his 12 January report, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that despite extensive efforts by the Angolan parties to consolidate peace, with the assistance of the international community, certain important tasks remained to be completed, adding that the persistent delays in the implementation of the remaining provisions of the Lusaka Protocol continued to be a source of serious concern. He also stressed that both parties, and in particular UNITA, needed to display a greater sense of urgency in carrying out the Lusaka agreements and relevant Council resolutions. The Secretary-General called for greater efforts to complete without procrastination the key aspects of the peace process. Those aspects included: full normalization of State administration throughout Angola; demobilization of UNITA troops; and the transformation of UNITA Radio into a non-partisan broadcasting facility.

Security Council President Fernando Berrocal Soto of Costa Rica on 10 December 1997 urged UNITA to move ahead quickly to complete its remaining obligations under the Lusaka Protocol and relevant Council resolutions. He said Council members called on UNITA to stop laying new mines, attacking United Nations and non-governmental organization personnel and restricting access of personnel from MONUA. He urged the Angolan Government to conduct the normalization of state administration in a way that would not aggravate the already tense situation in some areas of the country.

RELATED ARTICLE: Another Million in Peril

The United Nations on 13 February appealed for $91.2 million to meet urgent humanitarian needs of over 1 million Angolans who continue to suffer from the effects of conflict. While last year saw some positive developments, the situation in certain provinces remained tense. A volatile security situation resulted in new population displacements and increased difficulties in providing humanitarian assistance. The appeal aims to support an expected gradual consolidation of peace, which would allow for the resettlement and reintegration of internally-displaced people, returnees, the disabled and under age demobilized soldiers. The appeal would also provide support to the national detaining and mine-awareness programmes, and would assist the Government in strengthening its capacity to coordinate Angola's entire humanitarian programme.