New verification mission set up

UN Chronicle, June, 1995

A new UN peace-keeping operation in Angola was established on 8 February by the Security Council to help restore peace and achieve national reconciliation in that country after 20years of civil war. With an initial mandate until 8 August 1995 the UN Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) was authorized under resolution 976 (1995) to deploy a maximum of 7000 military personnel in addition to 350 military and 260 police observers. It replaced UNAVEM II whose mandate had expired.

The new Mission would assist in the peace process on the basis of the 31 May 1991 "Acordos de Paz" (Bicesse Accords), the 20 November 1994 Lusaka Protocol, and relevant Council resolutions, the Council said. The operation would end when the Protocol's objectives had been achieved, which was expected by February 1997.

Deployment of infantry units would take place based on certain conditions, including an effective cessation of hostilities. The immediate dispatch of planning and support elements was also authorized, provided that the cease-fire and effective monitoring mechanisms were in place, and that the parties were "allowing the free and safe flow of humanitarian assistance".

The Government of Angola and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) were called on to "cease any acquisition of arms and war materiel" during UNAVEM III's presence and "to devote their resources instead to priority humanitarian and social needs".

The Council would review the UN role in Angola should the Secretary-General report that cooperation from the parties was "substantially delayed or not forthcoming".

UNAVEM III proposed

The enlarged operation was proposed by Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali in a 1 February report (S/1995/97) to the Council.

Under the Lusaka Protocol, the UN was expected to assume a new and major role in the peace process, and it should respond positively to-chat challenge. he stated. The "breadth of new responsibilities" asked of the UN by the Government and UNITA--supported by Portugal, the Russian Federation and the United States as the observer States--required "a sizeable United Nations presence".

The Lusaka Protocol had manifested the parties' desire "to resolve-the conflict and re-establish peace through political means", the Secretary-General said. However, he would "not hesitate to invite the Security Council to reconsider its commitments" in Angola if the political will and the necessary cooperation were lacking, he stressed.

The Secretary-General also noted that conditions for the delivery of humanitarian assistance had improved considerably, and urged an immediate mobilization of resources to stabilize and improve the situation of populations affected by the war. Demining, demobilization, and reintegration and resettlement of refugees were essential as well, he stressed.

`Concrete signs' needed

Citing a number of developments that gave rise to "serious concern", including restrictions on the movement of Mission personnel, the Council on 10 March called on the Government and UNITA to take steps to ensure the prompt deployment of UNAVEM III units from 9 May, These included ending negative propaganda, improving cooperation and cooperating fully with humanitarian operations.

In a presidential statement made by Li Zhaoxing of China, the Council declared that both parties "must provide more concrete signs of cooperation and goodwill in the implementation of the peace process".

On 5 March, the Secretary-General reported (S/1995/177) a number of serious issues, including complaints of cease-fire violations, which he said were being addressed through the Joint Commission, chaired by his Special Representative, Alioune Blondin Beye of Mali, The Joint Commission is the principal body in charge of the Protocol's implementation.

Calling the Council's decision to set up UNAVEM III "an act of faith by the international community in the determination of the Angolan parties to put an end to the civil war that has ravaged their country", Mr. Boutros-Ghali said that unless the parties complied by 25 March with the Council's conditions, he would recommend that the deployment of UNAVEM III infantry units be deferred.

In a 25 March letter (S/1995/230). the Secretary-General told the Council that preparations for the deployment of UNAVEM infantry units should proceed.

Although some conditions stipulated in resolution 976 (1995) had not been fully met, the Secretary-General asserted that deployment would be "in the best interest of the peace process':

Ismat Kittani, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General, visited Angola from 17to.22 March to discuss measures to facilitate deployment. He had reported "some progress" regarding certain Council conditions, including: cessation of hostilities; disengagement of troops; verification mechanisms; and integration of military forces.

Both President dos Santos and UNITA's leader Jonas Savimbi had assured Mr. Kittani that they were fully committed to implementing the Lusaka Protocol and strongly favoured accelerated deployment of UN troops.