WRITTEN QUESTION E-0943/97 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Commission (13 March 1997)

Subject: Angola

Can the Commission say exactly why the Angolan riot police have been given the very latest equipment and, contrary to the Lusaka peace accord, have still not returned to their barracks?

Why is the MPLA militia in the outskirts of Luanda still armed?

Why is the government army still occupying defensive positions?

Why are civilian members of the MPLA, or its militia, still armed in the vicinity of the city?

Why are there still imports of heavy weapons, including MI 35 and MIG 25 and 29 from Russia, now that Angola is entering the last phase of the peace process?

Joint answer to Written Questions E- 0943/97, E-0944/97 and E-0945/97 given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission (14 May 1997)

The Commission is not a party to the Angola peace process, and does not have all the information requested by the Honourable Member.

In connection with the peace process in Angola, a mandate has been given to the United Nations for the supervision, control, and overall verification of the cease-fire, in liaison with the Angolan government and UNITA (Union nationale pour l'indépendance totale de l'Angola). The United Nations are responsible for the withdrawal, confinement and demilitarisation of all UNITA military forces, the disarming of the entire civilian population and the verification and monitoring of the Angolan national police activities. The Commission would suggest the Honourable Member seek clarifications in the recent reports addressed by the United Nations Secretary general to the Security Council.

The following information can be given to the Honourable Member concerning the questions for which the Commission is competent. The Community has been giving support to the selection and demobilisation centres. The demobilisation process has recently begun and some additional funds have been earmarked to help support the reintegration of ex-combatants in civil life. According to UNAVEM III (United nations Angola verification mission) estimates, the total cost for the demobilisation in stages of around 100 000 ex-combatants (government and UNITA troops) would be 18 MECU.

Support from the Community to Angola has been granted through different kind of measures. Humanitarian aid, food aid, rehabilitation operations and development projects have been approved. Those operations include support to the quartering areas, to displaced people and to mine clearance. The Community pledge at the round table of September 1995 was of more than 100 MECU till the end of 1997. That pledge was fully respected and even exceeded. In fact, commitments made till the end of 1996 were of 122 MECU. However, the slow pace of the implementation of the Lusaka peace protocol, and the harmful effects in terms of security and of perspectives for the future, have been hampering the carrying out of at least some of the Community interventions. The evolution of the Angolan situation will be decisive for their good outcome and for future interventions.

Finally, the Commission would remind the Honourable Member of the recent declaration of the Council, expressing its concern at the lack of progress in the peace process in Angola and stating its support for the current efforts of the United Nations Secretary general. In addition, the Council called on all parties, particularly UNITA, to comply with the terms of the peace accord and to take the necessary steps for its full implementation and the early establishment of a government of unity and national reconciliation.