WRITTEN QUESTION E-3010/98

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) and Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(8 October 1998)

Subject: The political situation in Angola

The unilateral decision by the Angolan Government to expel UNITA members from the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation and the exclusion of the UNITA parliamentary group from the National Assembly are clear violations of the Lusaka Protocol and a serious breach of democratic principles. The suspended Members of Parliament are no longer able to represent their voters, are being subjected to harsh economic and material restrictions and, together with their families, are having to face up to strong psychological pressures. Furthermore, they are unable to leave the country and inform the outside world of what is happening in Angola.

1. Would the Commission not agree that, by breaking the agreements entered into, the government (MPLA) is attempting by illegal means to destroy UNITA? What view does it take of the fact that the government is using the security forces to suppress that party and seize its assets and the property of private individuals, thus undermining the efforts to achieve peace and national reconciliation?

2. Is it aware that the mercenaries who were required to leave the country have since returned to set up private police forces?

3. Can it state whether EU financial aid to Angola has been used to purchase Soviet-made weapons and luxury cars for the local nomenklatura? If it has not, what has it been used for?

4. Does it agree with those who believe that the recent events in Angola bear the stamp of a Marxist-Leninist ideological struggle to prevent democracy from taking hold by peaceful means through political mediation?

5. How does it intend to prevent democracy from being destroyed in Angola, to uphold human rights in that country and to speak out in support of UNITA in all the relevant international bodies?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(11 November 1998)

The Government of Angola did indeed decide to suspend UNITA members of the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation (GURN) on 31 August 1998, and asked the Supreme Court to consider suspending the 70 UNITA deputies in the National Assembly, on the grounds that UNITA had not complied with key provisions in the timetable for implementing the Lusaka Protocol. The Government of Angola decided to apply these measures for as long as UNITA failed to clarify its position with regard to the peace process. Following the setting-up in Luanda of a UNITA renewal committee, whose members declared their continued commitment to the peace process, the majority of Ministers and Deputy Ministers were reinstated in late September.

The Commission would draw the Honourable Member's attention to the EU statement of 29 September, which stated: "The EU express their deep concern on the marked deterioration in the politico-military situation in Angola. There appears to be a real risk of a return to war and of a further widespread suffering of the Angolan people. The EU remains convinced that a lasting peace in Angola can only be obtained by full compliance with the Lusaka Protocol, which, together with the 'Acordos de Paz' and the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, remain the fundamental basis of the peace process. Clearly the blame for the current impasse in the peace process rests primarily with UNITA ... ." It follows from this statement that the first step is for UNITA to prove its commitment to the Lusaka agreement and fulfil all its obligations, in particular the complete demilitarisation and return to State control of all territory.

The Commission would point out that the UNITA leadership based in areas which have not been returned to State administration is subject to sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council and transposed into Community law. The Commission is, however, extremely concerned at the rising tension in Angola and hopes that the Government and the UNITA leadership will resume dialogue to defuse the crisis. There have indeed been some reports of mercenaries in Angola. However, it is for the UN mission in Angola (MONUA) to check these allegations and to assess any potential mercenary involvement in the Angolan conflict.

The Community does not grant any direct budgetary assistance to the Government of Angola, so Community funds cannot have been used by the Government to buy military equipment. Community aid goes towards meeting the essential requirements of population groups in need, particularly with regard to health, food security, education and training, and to supporting rehabilitation work in this war-torn country.

The Commission backs the peace efforts of the UN Secretary General and his Representative. It is prepared to support democratisation.