unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (08/28/89)
Truce Imperiled, Angola Leader Says (New York Times, August 24, 550 words, DATELINE: HARARE) President Jose Eduardo dos Santos of Angola asserted today that the country's two-month-old cease-fire is in jeopardy because the United States and South Africa continue to arm guerrilla forces. ''The traditional allies of Savimbi have not ended their interference in our internal affairs,'' he said in an interview, referring to the rebel leader, Jonas Savimbi, ''and they are the United States of America and South Africa.'' At the same time, Angolan leaders said, there have been more Government and civilian casualties since the truce began on June 24 than in the previous six months. The charge that South Africa is sending supplies to rebel forces is significant because a peace accord signed in December by South Africa, Angola and Cuba includes a pledge by Pretoria to end its support for the rebels. The accord also provides independence for Namibia and a phased withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola. ''An important part of our plan - in fact, the first part of our plan - is that all foreign interference in internal matters of Angola must end,'' Mr. dos Santos said. ''They are involved in process of peace, but supplying arms does not help that process.'' No Support for Assertion He did not offer any evidence for his charge against South Africa, except to suggest that the reports had come from reliable intelligence sources. The United States has given the rebels an estimated $15 million a year in aid during the last three years, and Bush Administration officials have said this will continue. Since the June cease-fire accord, peace efforts have appeared to founder as each side has accused the other of serious violations of the truce. According to figures supplied by the Angolan Government, more than 200 members of the security forces and 300 civilians have been killed since the cease-fire began. Mr. Savimbi's rebel group, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola - by itself or in alliance with another guerrilla faction that has since become inactive - has been fighting the leftist government in Luanda virtually since Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Mr. dos Santos, a leader of a third and ultimately triumphant faction called the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, succeeded to the presidency in 1979. His movement was largely supported during its insurgency by the Soviet Uniion. Talk of Amity On Tuesday, reconciliation in Angola was the subject as Mr. dos Santos and seven other African leaders met here. The Angolan President was interviewed by two journalists today as he prepared to return to Luanda. In a statement issued after the Tuesday meeting, African leaders essentially reconfirmed the broad outlines of the cease-fire accord agreed upon in Gbdolite, Zaire, on June 22. The statement said Mr. Savimbi had agreed to ''voluntary retirement'' as a part of a settlement. It was not clear whether this meant he would go into exile. The rebel leader has vigorously denied reports suggesting that he agreed to exile, and vowed never to leave the country under those terms. President dos Santos insisted, however, that Mr. Savimbi unambiguously agreed to go into exile during negotiations in May with President Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, and again in Gbdolite before 18 African leaders. * Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501) --- Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange -=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-