WRITTEN QUESTION E-2355/97 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council (18 July 1997)

Subject: Military offensive by Angolan government army despite the peace agreement

The Angolan army has launched an offensive against Unita despite the Lusaka peace agreement of 1994. This offensive is jeopardizing the already fragile peace accord. The government army has engaged Unita at a number of points, including zones which are provisionally under Unita's control in accordance with the peace agreement.

1. Does the Council not feel that, in contrast to its passive attitude towards the latest developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in view of the fact that one of its Member States - Portugal - is closely involved in the peace agreement, it should take a more active role in the peace process?

2. Does the Council not agree that the recent developments are an obstacle to the largest opposition force in the country, Unita, retaining its confidence in being part of the peace process?

3. Is the Council considering withdrawing financial aid to Angola if the government does not stop its military action forthwith?

4. Is the Council prepared to urge the government to allow Unavem to function unimpeded as an international observer in the regions of Angola where military action is currently taking place?

Answer (17 November 1997)

1. On 2 October 1997 the Council defined a common position (95/413/PESC, OJ L 245 of 12.10.95, page 1) under which the EU undertakes inter alia to support the coordinated efforts of the international community towards the reconstruction of Angola in the framework of the peace process. On 15 September 1997 the Council asked the competent authorities to examine the situation in Angola and to study initiatives and means of economic and financial support for that country in the light of the development of the peace process.

2. Following the formation of the unity and reconciliation government, to which UNITA belongs, the latter must fulfil its commitments, and especially its transformation into a traditional political and non-armed party.

3. The Council would draw the Honourable Member's attention to the UN Security Council's resolution 1127 of 28 August 1997. The latter declares that the serious difficulties encountered by the peace process are largely due to the fact that UNITA is late in fulfilling the obligations imposed on it by the Lusaka Protocol. Resolution 1127 also deplores the fact that UNITA has failed to meet the obligations incumbent upon it under the "Acordos de Paz¨ (S/22609), Lusaka Protocol and its own relevant resolutions, in particular resolution 1118 (1987).

Resolution 1127 imposes sanctions against UNITA to take effect on 30 September 1997 with no further notice unless the Security Council decides, on examination of a report from the Secretary-General, that UNITA has taken concrete and irrevocable steps to fulfil all the stated obligations.

The competent EU authorities have prepared the necessary legal instruments, should they be necessary, for implementing the sanctions. The Council had also noted, in a statement adopted on 15 September 1997 that there are no solutions to the problems which face Angola other that full respect by the two sides for all the provisions of the Lusaka Peace Protocol.

The Council has also expressed its wish, at this sensitive time of peace process in Angola, for which the international Community has invested substantial human and financial resources, that the two sides should act in a spirit of reconciliation and national cooperation paving the way to the building of a new and prosperous country.