patth@ccnysci.UUCP (Patt Haring) (09/04/89)
ANGOLA 'THWARTED MERCENARY COUP ATTEMPT' Brussels/ There are indications from Angolan sources that the Luanda government thwarted a mercenary coup attempt in December last year, writes a correspondent. A Swiss consultant and arms dealer (selling most recently to Burkina Faso) is said to have been involved in the coup preparations in Luanda, using mercenaries hired by him and with direct participation of US Central Intelligence Agency personnel, the sources tell SouthScan. The Angolan security services obtained evidence of the use of a floating "tourist resort" as a base for mercenaries in preparation of an attack on the President's house, and a coup d'etat coordinated with Unita, the rebel Angolan organisation. According to sources in Angola, the Swiss businessman visited Luanda at the end of November or the beginning of December last year, carrying about $10m in cash, which he used freely for expenses and to "smoothe" negotiations with officials of the Ministry of Industry, and the Interior Ministry. According to the sources, he had "come quite some way" towards realisation of an industrial waste project, and had even succeeded in obtaining the agreement of the former industry minister - who was unaware of the real nature of the plan - when Angolan security services swooped. According to the sources, agents of the CIA were directly involved in the arrangements. If the reports are confirmed it will not go unnoticed, say observers, that this project was taking place in the last months of the Reagan regime, and was pursued at the same time as the US Africa envoy Chester Crocker was negotiated the finishing touches to the agreement between Angola, Cuba, and South Africa, which was signed finally on December 22. in New York. --- Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange -=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=- -- Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange -=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-