Progress towards national reconciliation reported; mandate of UNAVEM II extended.

Intensive negotiations for a comprehensive peace settlement in Angola had stalled on the issue of participation of the National Union for the Total independence of Angola (UNITA) in the management of State affairs, it was reported on 31 March. The talks in Lusaka, Zambia had resumed in November 1993 following widespread post-election civil strife.

After recalling that 12 of 18 issues relating to the national reconciliation of Angola had already been agreed upon, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali reported (S/1994/374) to the Security Council that the outstanding issues could be resolved if "approached with realism and the necessary political will".

Of the six remaining points, most important was UNITA's role in the organs of central, provincial and local government and in diplomatic missions. The other unresolved issues included: the future status of "Vorgan" radio; assumption by UNITA deputies of their seats in the National Assembly; re-establishment of State administration throughout Angola; and the return of UNITA property in the hands of the Government, and vice versa.

The 12 specific principles on national reconciliation accepted by the Angolan Government and UNITA covered, inter alia, concepts such as trust, tolerance, coexistence, pardon and amnesty, as well as concrete questions, including the reaffirmation of the need for security guarantees, freedom of association, expression and the press, independence of the judiciary, adoption of the symbols of State, and decentralization.

Once all outstanding issues had been successfully addressed, Mr. Boutros-Ghali said discussions would concentrate on conclusion of the electoral process, the future mandate of the UN, and the role of the three observer States in the peace process --the United States, the Russian Federation and Portugal.

The military situation throughout the country had been "generally marked by a reduction of large-scale military operations", he said, despite UNITA's continuing raids, ambushes, shelling and other military actions.

Mr. Boutros-Ghali called for "restraint on the ground" and a halt to all military actions to help establish a "much-needed atmosphere" of trust and confidence at the Lusaka talks. He also urged the Government of Angola and UNITA to "show the flexibility needed" to reach a comprehensive settlement, "so that the people of Angola can finally enjoy the lasting peace they deserve after so many years of conflict".

A decisive turn

On 9 March, the Secretary-General had reported (S/1994/282) that the Lusaka negotiations had "taken a decisive turn" and were proceeding towards the conclusion of a comprehensive peace agreement. National reconciliation was, above all, the primary objective of the peace process--the "crucial issue that remains to be resolved".

On 17 February, agreement was reached on general principles concerning national reconciliation. On 11 December 199 3, agreement had been reached on the general and specific principles, as well as modalities, relating to all military issues, including: reestablishment of a cease-fire; withdrawal, quartering and demilitarization of all UNITA military forces; disarming of all civilians; and completion of the formation of the Angolan Armed Forces, including demobilization.

In January, agreement had been reached on general and specific principles and on the modalities concerning the police, including the composition of the rapid intervention police, which had required protracted negotiation.

On 29 January, the Secretary-General reported (S/1994/100) that the two parties in the Lusaka talks had shown the will to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement. He recommended that the Council a here to its present stance, with the embargo against UNITA-controlled territory in place and further measures postponed pending the outcome of negotiations. Should the circumstances change, he would recommend additional measures or a review of those in effect.

On 10 February, the Security Council issued a statement commending the Secretary-General, his Special Representative Alioune Biondin Beye, and the Chief Military Observer on their efforts to bring the Lusaka negotiations to a successful conclusion, with a view to reaching an effective and sustainable settlement of the conflict within the framework of the "Acordos de Paz" and relevant Council resolutions.

Resolution 903: Honouring commitments

In resolution 903 (1994), adopted unanimously on 16 March, the Security Council called on the two parties to honour the commitments already made and to "redouble their efforts" to resolve the outstanding issues, attain an effective and sustainable cease-fire, and conclude a peaceful settlement without procrastination.

Calling on States to continue to respect the embargo against the territory controlled by UNITA, instituted in September 1993, the Council decided, in view of the continuing direct negotiations between the parties, not to impose additional sanctions against UNITA, but reiterated its readiness to consider at any time further steps in that area.

The Council urged maximum flexibility and good faith by the parties regarding the negotiations. It also condemned any actions that threatened the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to all in need in Angola and put the lives of humanitarian workers at risk.

Also, in resolution 903, the Council extended the mandate of the UN Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II) until 31 May, authorizing the Secretary-General to make contingency plans for an increase in the Mission's strength to its previous level of 350 military observers and 126 police observers, as soon as agreement between the parties to the conflict was reached. The Council also demanded the immediate cessation of continued offensive military actions.

In his 31 March report, the Secretary-General had said that, in anticipation of a successful conclusion of the Lusaka peace talks, contingency plans had been formulated to increase the strength of UNAVEM II--currently consisting of 50 observers--immediately after a settlement. To form the nucleus of new regional headquarters, plans were formulated to deploy small teams of existing military and police observers to the provincial capitals of Huambo, Uige, Menongue and Luena, and perhaps one or two other locations. In addition to increasing UNAVEM II's verification capabilities after the cease-fire, this would also serve as preparation for subsequent stages of deployment.

Humanitarian situation

On 31 March, the Secretary-General said the humanitarian situation in Angola demanded greater attention from the international community. On 9 March, he had reported that, despite some fighting, humanitarian activities continued throughout the country

The UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs on 28 February asked for $179-million emergency humanitarian aid for Angola until July 1994. A UN official said at least 3.3 million Angolans--over a quarter of the total population--required relief assistance.