Security Council threatens further sanctions if Lusaka talks fail.

The Security Council on 30 June extended the mandate of the UN Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II) until 30 September 1994 and declared its readiness to impose additional sanctions to the existing oil and arms embargo against the National Union for the Total independence of Angola (UNITA) by 31 July, if it failed to formally accept the complete set of proposals on national reconciliation put forward at the Lusaka peace talks.

By unanimously adopting resolution 932 (1994), the Council welcomed the Angolan Government's formal acceptance of the proposals, recommended by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the three observer States to the Angolan peace process--Portugal, the Russian Federation and the United States--and strongly urged UNITA to do the same.

Both parties were called upon to honour commitments already made and were urged to redouble their efforts to resolve the remaining points on the agenda, attain an effective cease-fire and conclude a peaceful settlement "without procrastination".

The Council reaffirmed its readiness to consider, upon completion of a comprehensive peace settlement, any recommendations for an "appropriate" UN presence in Angola. In the event that a peace agreement was not reached by 30 September, the Council would review the UN role in the country.

The Council had previously extended the mandate of UNAVEM II for one month, until 30 June, under resolution 922 (1994) of 31 May. By resolution 864 (1993) of 15 September, the Council had imposed an oil and arms embargo against the territory not controlled by the Government from 25 September 1993, and had provided for additional trade sanctions and travel restrictions against UNITA in the absence of progress in the peace process.

In reports dated 20 and 29 June (S/1994/740 and Add. 1), the Secretary-General stated that the fighting in Angola had continued to escalate, affecting 11 of 18 provinces. As negotiations continued in Lusaka, the two sides had increased their offensive military actions in efforts to gain advantage on the ground and consolidate positions. The fighting had caused further loss of life and damage to basic infrastructure. it had also seriously affected the humanitarian assistance programme and threatened the entire effort to stabilize the condition of vulnerable populations.

Among the main factors contributing to this was the suspension of emergency relief flights for which UNITA continued to withhold authorization. The Secretary-General recommended that the Council urge both parties, in particular UNITA, to permit the resumption of humanitarian assistance to all parts of the country.

The Secretary-General, in a 24 May report (S/1994/611), appealed to the Angolan Government and UNITA for flexibility in order to reach a comprehensive settlement at the Lusaka talks, as agreement on 6 of 18 principles pertaining to the question of national reconciliation had still not been reached. The issue of UNITA's participation in the management of State affairs seemed to be the most contentious, since it concerned the allocation of senior Government posts to UNITA, including the governorships of provinces.

The five remaining principles concerned: the future status of "Vorgan" radio; the re-establishment of State administration throughout Angola; the return of Government property in the hands of UNITA and vice-versa; the assumption by UNITA members of Parliament of their seats in the National Assembly: and the provision of appropriate facilities to UNITA, including residences for its senior leaders.

Agreement had been reached on the completion of the electoral process, including the conditions under which the second round of the presidential elections would take place, the report stated. A measure of agreement had already been achieved on issues relating to the future mandate of the UN in Angola and the role of the three observer States, and the new mechanism that would be responsible for implementing the "Acordos de Paz" and the Lusaka Protocol.

The Council on 14 April expressed (S/1994/445) its concern at the continuing outbreaks of hostilities and offensive military actions in Angola, and demanded their cessation immediately.

Renewed fighting and lack of clearance for relief flights had cut by more than half the deliveries of food and other aid to Angola, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported on 10 June.

Japan pledged $2.4 million to WFP for mine clearance and road rehabilitation in Angola, where estimates of landmines range from 10 million to 20 million.