WRITTEN QUESTION E-2714/98

by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Threat to the peace process in Angola caused by an arms build up

Is the Council prepared to take an unambiguous political stance against the threat to the peace process in Angola caused by an arms build up now that the government in Luanda is launching military attacks from the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia and using the most modern weapons, bought out of Angolan oil revenues, when 60 % of the Angolan population is living below the poverty line and Angolan troops are still stationed in the neighbouring country of Congo-Brazzaville in order to maintain the unelected President in power there and literally threatening to liquidate the official opposition, given that the EU cannot tolerate such conduct within the current political relationship based on the Convention of Lomé and that it will inevitably be obliged to impose sanctions?

Reply

(20/21 December 1998)

1. The Council shares the Honourable Member's deep concern about the deterioration of the political and military situation in Angola and the growing risk of a return to war and further widespread suffering of the Angolan people.

The EU has consistently urged the parties to fulfil the Lusaka Protocol, particularly as regards the demobilization of all UNITA troops who have not yet been incorporated into the Angolan army.

The Council is of the opinion that the primary cause of the crisis in Angola and of the current impasse in the peace process, as stated by the UN Security Council in its Resolution 1195 (1998) adopted on 15 September 1998, is the failure by the leadership of UNITA to comply with its obligations under the "Acordos de Paz", the Lusaka Protocol and relevant Security Council resolutions.

The European Union will therefore continue to call upon the UNITA leadership to comply immediately and without conditions with its obligations, in particular the complete demilitarisation of its forces and full cooperation in the immediate and unconditional extension of State administration throughout the national territory.

In the meantime, recognising the patience shown by the Angolan government, the Union will encourage the latter to reject military action, to pursue dialogue to resolve the crisis, to refrain from any steps which could exacerbate the current situation, and to facilitate the work of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General.

In the framework of its relations with Angola, the Union remains of course committed to encouraging and supporting national reconciliation, economic reconstruction and democratisation, on the basis of respect for the rule of law and good governance (including the transparent and accountable management of all the country's resources for the purpose of equitable and sustainable development).

2. Concerning the crisis in the Great Lakes region, the Union maintains that no lasting peace can be achieved without a political settlement and continues to support the idea of convening an international conference, under the joint auspices of the UN and the OAU and enjoying the support of all the States of the region, in order to address within a global approach the root causes of the conflicts there.

On the recent crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Union has in particular reiterated its support for the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC and its neighbouring countries and called for a cessation of external interference in that country. It should be noted in this context that the DRC's invitation to Angolan, Zimbabwean and Namibian troops was not considered inconsistent with UN Charter principles by the UN Security Council, though the Union is of course lending its support only to those diplomatic initiatives aimed at a peaceful solution.

3. Like the Honourable Member, the European Union remains concerned about the situation in the Republic of Congo and has condemned any external interference, particularly intervention by foreign troops, and has asked for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces.