YouSaid · the spoken record

Van Dunem Mbinda

lines on the record: 167
first: 1992-03-24
most recent: 1998-06-29
sittings or episodes: 15
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“As members know, UNITA occupied the cities of Uige, Ndalatando and Negage during the Abidjan talks; this followed the occupation of Huambo during the failed Addis Ababa talks. Given this situation, the Government could not stand idly by and fail in its responsibility to guarantee the security of the population. Another error in the report of the Secretary-General to which I want to call attention concerns the suggestion that the Government was responsible for stopping the distribution of humanitarian aid. That does not correspond to reality; the Government has never attacked the means of distribution of humanitarian aid of the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross or other non-governmental organizations.”
1994-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3395 (1994) · source
“The war continues, with the risk of escalation, precisely because there has not to date been agreement on a cease-fire. We would like to recall that the cease-fire agreed upon in Portugal on 31 May 1991 was violated from the beginning by UNITA, because the outcome was not in its favour. UNITA has not accepted the electoral results and has been taking action, including war, to occupy parts of the territory of Angola, holding the population hostage. UNITA's rejection of mediation proposals reveals its intention to continue the war, with the aim of gaining a political advantage at the negotiating table. That has been UNITA's thinking ever since it resumed the conflict in my country.”
1994-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3395 (1994) · source
“Our few corrections refer mainly to the statement that the Government has not demonstrated the political will to conclude an agreement that would lead to the end of the war. That part of the report is self-contradictory, and also contradicts a paragraph in which appreciation is expressed for the positive gesture of the Government in accepting the mediation proposal. Moreover, the Government, although it enjoys full legitimacy, moved forward as quickly as possible to conclude a negotiated agreement in Lusaka by presenting a compromise package. Moreover, referring to a communique containing an appeal to donor countries, we would like to remind the Council that it is the escalation of military activities that endangers the speedy conclusion of a Lusaka agreement, not the reverse.”
1994-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3395 (1994) · source
“My Government therefore favours setting a deadline for completion of the talks, in order to prevent the process from dragging on and stretching the international community's patience to its limits. Nevertheless, I would like to reaffirm that the Angolan Government will persevere in the search for a just resolution of the conflict, one that takes into account the Bicesse Peace Accords and other agreed platforms, the relevant Security Council resolutions and the laws of Angola. As I said earlier, we would like to make a few remarks on some paragraphs in the report of the Secretary-General, with a view to promoting a better understanding of the truth of what is now taking place in Angola.”
1994-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3395 (1994) · source
“In that context, my Government firmly supports the measures referred to in paragraph 5 of the draft resolution, although it considers the grace period to be excessive; the measures should be imposed automatically, as we have been negotiating in Lusaka for about eight months now, having already covered more than 90 per cent of the questions on the agenda. The sole remaining question is that of a positive and immediate response from UNITA on the outstanding item concerning national reconciliation. We think it is high time to put an end once and for all to UNITA's non-compliance with the decisions of this body; the impunity it enjoys encourages UNITA to make absurd, inappropriate and unacceptable demands and to adopt delaying tactics.”
1994-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3395 (1994) · source
“It is now up to UNITA to demonstrate political will and show that it is truly interested in a just, peaceful and lasting solution, one that is not achieved by force of arms. My Government's latest offer constitutes an indivisible and balanced package, taking into account all the sensitive issues of national reconciliation. The international community must call UNITA to follow the path of reason and continue to pressure it to embrace peace and democracy. It is up to the Security Council to use all the means at its disposal to prevent UNITA's intransigence leading to the failure of the opportunity for peace now offered in the Lusaka talks.”
1994-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3395 (1994) · source
“However, UNITA instead responded with further demands, thus clearly demonstrating its lack of willingness to find a negotiated solution and presenting a challenge to the intensive efforts of the Government, the mediation and the observer countries aimed at the cessation of the bloody and destructive war, which UNITA started and persists in continuing. The Council has been witness to the successive concessions made by the Government throughout the negotiating process, nearly always without a proper response from UNITA, despite its having violated the peace platforms that it signed as well as the constitution and other laws of the Angolan State. For this reason, it would be unfair for other concessions to be demanded of the Angolan Government.”
1994-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3395 (1994) · source
“I also wish to emphasize the quality of the Secretary-General's report, whose recommendations my Government fully supports, although at the end of my statement I would like to make a few comments on behalf of my Government. When, about a month ago, my Government decided, in yet another gesture of flexibility, to accept the proposal of mediation of the peace talks, providing for greater participation by UNITA at the level of central, provincial and local government and in foreign affairs, it was in the firm conviction that UNITA would respond in like manner, thereby overcoming the obstacles to the rapid conclusion of an agreement in Lusaka, with the restoration of peace in Angola shortly becoming a reality.”
1994-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3395 (1994) · source
“Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and in particular his Special Representative, Maitre Alioune Blondin Beye, whose spirit and dedication and diplomatic skill have made possible important advances in the Angolan peace talks. I must also reiterate the appreciation of the Government and people of Angola of the Government and people of Zambia, and especially President Frederick Chiluba, for their continued willingness to host the peace talks, and of the member countries of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Organization of African Unity and the troika of observers - Portugal, Russia and the United States - for the significant contribution they have made to the peace process.”
1994-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3395 (1994) · source
“Mr. Van Dunem "Mbinda" (Angola): It is always a great honour to be able to address the Security Council, especially now, when the situation in my country is once again the focus of its attention. I should like to take the opportunity to congratulate you, Sir, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Angola, and in my own name, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month and for the wisdom and diplomatic experience that you have demonstrated. I also salute your predecessor, Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari, for the excellent work he performed, which contributed to reaffirming the Council's commitment to the search for a just and lasting solution to the Angolan conflict. Permit me also to express my Government's acknowledgment of the commendable efforts of the Secretary-General, Mr.”
1994-06-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3395 (1994) · source
“Finally, we have learned with much sorrow that the UNITA negotiating team has withdrawn from the negotiating table alleging that the government forces were carrying out offensive operations against its positions. We would like to draw the attention of the Council and the international community to this attitude, which is an attempt to bring about the failure of the Lusaka talks at a time when we are about to reach an agreement, and when the Government has accepted the enlargement proposal on national reconciliation by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the three observer States to the Angolan peace process.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“The Angolan Government expresses its deepest appreciation to the international community for its generous support, in particular the organizations of the United Nations system, the non-governmental organizations, and the member countries of the European Union and other Governments, which did not hesitate to respond promptly to the appeal launched by the Angolan Government and the United Nations for humanitarian aid to the Angolan people. I should like, on behalf of my Government, to praise the efforts made by the members of this Council in the preparation of the draft resolution to be adopted today, even if we would have preferred a wording that better reflected the Angolan situation.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“In addition, UNITA has taken to attacking storage facilities to steal relief supplies, which are then distributed to its troops. As a result of this kind of incident, the Government decided on 21 May 1994 to halt temporarily the humanitarian aid flights until UNITA gave assurances that it would take action to prevent further loss of life and the destruction of assets used for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Angola.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“As a result of this situation, the already precarious social and economic conditions under which the majority of Angolan families live have further deteriorated, accounting for the extremely high rates of poverty and malnutrition and, consequently, for the increasing mortality levels. It is critical that an end be put to this dramatic situation of the people of Angola, who had believed that the September 1992 elections heralded a future of peace, security and development. As if that were not enough, the delivery of relief supplies is being hampered by UNITA, which regularly and systematically attacks the World Food Programme (WFP) planes, as recently happened in Malange Province, where WFP aircraft were attacked on 16, 18, 19 and 20 May while on a mission to deliver humanitarian aid to the population of this area.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“I remind the Council that since UNITA resumed the war more than 3 million people have been displaced and several thousand have fled and are now refugees in neighbouring countries, while thousands more have been crippled for the rest of their lives, particularly the victims of indiscriminately scattered land-mines - a group now estimated to number between 10,000 and 15,000 throughout the country. Entire cities, such as Kuito and Huambo, have been completely ravaged and many others have seen their economic and social infrastructures totally or partially destroyed.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“This blatantly direct involvement of Zaire in the destabilization of Angola constitutes an act of aggression against my country, in the light of the definition of aggression given by the United Nations in 1974. Besides, this act is a serious violation of the embargo on the supply of weapons to UNITA imposed by the Security Council in its resolution 864 (1993), in view of which we request that special attention of the Security Council be given to this matter. The prolonging and escalation of the war by UNITA have made the humanitarian situation in Angola increasingly dramatic, and its consequences are currently affecting a great portion of the population.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“They include the following: Viscount V744, Nordatlas N2501, Electra L188, Britannia-31 (BR31), Douglas DC6, Ilyushin I176, TSA (Trans Service Airlift), BAL (Blue Air Line), Guila Air, TAC (Trans Air Cargo), UTAIR and PAE, just to mention some. They have used the Ndjili airport in Kinshasa and the airstrips G652D and UG652D, and have then proceeded to other airstrips to gain access to Kafunfo in the Angolan mining-province of Lunda-Norte and other towns in the interior of Angola. I refer to just some of the reports we have received on the basis of which my Government can offer evidence of Zairian involvement. Zaire's involvement in the Angolan conflict is known, given the implications of the use of Zairian territory by UNITA to facilitate its movements and the launching of attacks in Angola.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“Given the seriousness of the situation and the involvement of Zaire, as described in the memorandum sent for the Council's attention and the latest reports on logistics flights from Zaire that we will submit to the Council, the Angolan Government strongly requests that the Council instruct the sanctions Committee, a very important body established by resolution 864 (1993), to send an investigating team to Zaire to verify the charges and recommend measures to stop such operations. The aircraft involved in this violation of the embargo, aircraft which fly from Zaire, are associated with a number of private companies.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“The stepping-up of military activity by UNITA in Angola is possible only because of the continued support that it keeps receiving from the neighbouring country of Zaire, which serves as a transit zone for the re-supply of the UNITA forces and as a base from which military offensives are launched. The Angolan Government is in possession of evidence that shows the involvement of the current Zairian regime in supporting UNITA, in flagrant violation of the arms and fuel embargo imposed by the Security Council against that organization.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“As clearly stated in the Secretary-General's report (S/1994/611), the military situation in Angola continues to deteriorate because UNITA has, in the past months, increased its offensives with the objective of occupying more stretches of territory and hindering the course of the country's economic development. In the face of this war campaign, which has resulted in a true genocide of the Angolan people and in the destruction of their country, the Government feels that it has to assume its constitutional responsibilities and defend the people, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Angola whenever and wherever they are threatened.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“The known Bantustans have been destroyed and order has been restored, while in the case of Angola UNITA has rejected the election results and resorted to, and continues to engage in, violence as a political means to attain its objectives. When UNITA decides to follow the good example of South Africa by stopping the violence and the war, then there will be peace and tranquillity in my country, Angola. The South African political scenario is radically different from that of Angola. Therefore, the international community should force UNITA to stop the war, face the facts and follow the path of democracy, which is the only political solution to the Angolan conflict.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“Although the Lusaka talks, which have been taking place for more than six months, have resulted in significant progress - I stress "significant progress" - they still have some way to go because UNITA sometimes assumes positions that are contrary to Angolan constitutional law. If those positions were accepted, they would defeat the purpose of the establishment in Angola of a multi-party democracy free of any ethnic, regional or racial limitations or discrimination. It would be unfair to establish a parallel between the solution to the South African conflict and that of Angola, as some would advocate. The only lesson that the Angolans themselves could draw from the elections that took place in South Africa is that all the rival parties have abandoned violence and war in order to participate in politics.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“It is therefore important that the international community show more consistent firmness in its solidarity with the Government so that the different political groups in the country, as well as the population in general, have a better acceptance of the kind of flexibility shown so far and understand the usefulness of the flexibility demanded from the other party. This crucial opportunity for lasting peace in Angola is on the table and should not be jeopardized or serve as an excuse to delay the peace process further. The moment is ripe for constructive attitudes and positions on the part of UNITA.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“On 25 May 1994, in one more gesture of flexibility, the Angolan Government, in a spirit of national reconciliation and with the purpose of joining efforts towards the reconstruction of the country and the re-establishment of peace and unity, decided to reply to the 17 March proposal submitted by the mediation team by including in the cabinet personalities from the opposition - an attitude that demonstrates its willingness to consider the broadening of UNITA's participation in the Government. This is clear evidence that the Government has already gone too far in its concessions and its flexibility. It thinks that it is now incumbent upon UNITA to take serious steps and to demonstrate through its actions that it is interested in a negotiated solution of the conflict created by itself.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“In this regard it offered UNITA an additional number of Government portfolios, including the post of cabinet minister in the ministries of commerce, health, tourism and hotel industry, construction materials, the posts of deputy minister of geology and mines and deputy minister of the media - in other words, information - in addition to eight posts of governor and deputy governor, as well as head of government in dozens of municipal and local community governments. In addition to that, the Government decided to relinquish to UNITA six posts of head of diplomatic mission or ambassador.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“In a spirit of good faith and national reconciliation the Government accepted at the time it was formed, immediately after the first elections, to integrate members of the opposition, including members of UNITA, assigning them cabinet posts in the ministries of culture, agriculture, public works and social reintegration, as well as the posts of deputy minister of defence and deputy chief of staff of the armed forces, among other positions in the State hierarchy. Later on in the course of the talks the Government accepted the principle of broadening UNITA's participation at the central, provincial, municipal and local community levels.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“On the other hand, the Angolan Government regards as bad faith and an unconstructive attitude the lobbying in which UNITA is engaging to persuade the United Nations to withdraw its forces from Angola - this at a time when the United Nations is playing a crucial role in reaching an understanding in re-establishing peace in Lusaka. The Angolan Government calls attention to this danger and stresses the need for the Security Council to take measures to counter immediately UNITA's intentions.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“These factors have contributed to the failure of the previous rounds, when, each time, more obstacles were being raised that lacked any kind of political, legal or moral foundation in the light of the negotiating platforms unanimously accepted as valid for the peace process. In every round of talks held until then, my Government demonstrated maximum flexibility and made numerous concessions. We realize, however, that each time the Government makes a concession aimed at achieving results, new demands for flexibility are place upon it without any corresponding gesture by the other party which, on the contrary, takes an increasingly inflexible and aggressive stand in the military field, causing a generalized feeling of frustration and distrust.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“This willingness on the part of the Government notwithstanding, we have during the course of the past two years witnessed an escalation of the conflict and an excessive and premeditated delay on the part of UNITA to proceed with the negotiations; we have also realized the incapacity of the international community, in particular the United Nations, to curtain bellicose goals and encourage the peace process in Angola. The successive resolutions adopted in this Council containing mandatory measures have not been fully implemented; at the same time, there is lack of international pressure to make UNITA show more flexibility and demonstrate in practice that it is in fact interested in a just peace.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“It was within that framework that the Angolan Government has committed itself, since the beginning of the post-electoral crisis, to find a rapid, fair and lasting solution, having taken the initiative to negotiate with UNITA, despite the fact that that organization had violated the "Acordos de Paz" and broken the rules of the legal constitutional system of the Republic of Angola by resorting to unconstitutional means to overthrow the Government and the democratic institutions legitimately put in place by the elections, and by persisting in intensifying the war in order to expand the areas of the territory under its control.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“The situation in Angola has for a long time now retained the attention of the Council, which in the past had the opportunity to identify its main cause, that is, the unilateral violation of the "Acordos de Paz" for Angola, and stated that the only path to a definitive and lasting solution is the negotiation of a formula based on the "Acordos de Paz" for Angola and other platforms agreed upon on the outcome of the September 1992 elections and on the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“I would also like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the Government of Zambia and to His Excellency Frederick Chiluba for continuing to make himself and his country available to host the peace talks, and to thank the countries members of the troika of observers - Portugal, the Russian Federation and the United States of America - and the countries members of the Ad Hoc Committee of the Organization of African Unity for their commitment to the search for a rapid, negotiated solution to the conflict.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“Boutros Boutros-Ghali, particularly through his Special Representative, Mr. Alioune Blondin Beye, who has been playing the difficult role of mediator in an effective and dedicated manner - a factor that has contributed to the advance of the talks. My Government has reiterated its confidence in the performance of the mediation team and will continue to extend its best cooperation in the ongoing efforts. I would like to point out the high quality of the report on Angola submitted by the Secretary-General; it clearly reflects the development of the situation in the political, military and humanitarian fields and underscores the additional efforts carried out to speed up the peace process. However, my Government welcomes with reservation the reference made in the report about the future of the United Nations mission in Angola.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“Mr. Van Dunem "Mbinda" (Angola): Mr. President, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Angola and on my own behalf, I should like to begin by congratulating you on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the current month. We are certain that your vast diplomatic experience and intellectual skills, which you have demonstrated on numerous occasions, will ensure the success of the work of this important body. I would also like to congratulate the outgoing President, Ambassador Colin Keating, on the wise and dynamic way in which he steered the work of the Council during the past month. I cannot fail the express the Angolan Government's appreciation for the efforts towards peace and understanding in Angola made by the Secretary-General, Mr.”
1994-05-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3384 (1994) · source
“I reiterate the need for an urgent answer to the United Nations appeal made on 28 Feburary for $179 million in emergency assistance to the Angolan people. The Angolan Government remains firmly determined to do everything in its power to restore peace. But it will not accept the principle of an equal division of power in Angola, for this would betray the will of the electors and make a hollow mockery of the young Angolan democracy. I conclude by commending the efforts of the members of the Security Council in arriving at the draft resolution before them today. As we praise that draft resolution, my delegation expresses the wish that its contents may correspond with the realities facing the Angolan people.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“The shipment and distribution of humanitarian aid by the United Nations and by non- governmental organizations has been systematically obstructed by UNITA, which regularly targets World Food Programme aircraft and attacks trains carrying goods for the Security Council Forty-ninth Year year 3350th meeting 16 March 1994 needy population. This has caused the suspension of deliveries to many parts of the country where people continue to die of hunger and a lack of medical attention. I take this opportunity on behalf of the Angolan Government to express our thanks for the generous help to our needy people from the international community, in particular by the World Food Programme and other specialized agencies, by non-governmental organizations and by the Governments of Japan and the United Kingdom.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“UNITA's armed operations are made possible only by continued military support from conservative circles in South Africa and from the neighbouring Republic of Zaire, in clear and open violation of the embargo imposed by the Security Council. The territory of Zaire continues to be a transit point for South African assistance and a base from which UNITA's rebel forces launch their armed operations against Angolan territory. We therefore strongly appeal to the Security Council to bolster its supervisory and monitoring machinery and to adopt effective measures to impede the flow of arms and other means used by UNITA to make war. The war which has devastated my country has caused a serious deterioration in the already precarious social conditions of our people.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“Nevertheless, the Angolan Government believes that the time has come to consider a second package of sanctions under paragraph 26 of resolution 864 (1993) since UNITA has not shown that it is serious and that it has the political will to resolve the conflict - a conflict that it initiated and continues to fuel - but, rather, is engaging in delaying tactics as it attempts to strengthen its position in the military theatre of operations. It is important to stress that it might be important for the Security Council now to set a deadline for the conclusion of negotiations to prevent them from dragging on indefinitely as a result of the many subterfuges UNITA may employ.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“We want to alert international public opinion to the threat that UNITA's attitude poses to the current talks in Lusaka, talks that are a beacon of hope for peace and reconciliation, which is why my Government has repeatedly stated its determination to continue until a final solution to the conflict is found. The Angolan Government continues to believe that negotiations are the only viable way to resolve the crisis affecting my country, provided that the Bicesse Accords, the Abidjan understandings and all relevant Security Council resolutions are respected.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“All this shows that UNITA's alleged willingness to seek a peaceful, negotiated outcome of the Angolan conflict and the so-called unilateral cease-fire it announced last September are merely intended to conceal its militaristic purposes and to avoid the imposition of sanctions by the Security Council. The Angolan Government cannot stand idly by in the face of the belligerence of UNITA, which continues to ravage the country and which to date has caused the death of some 100,000 civilians, the displacement of some 3 million refugees, and the destruction of a major part of our economic and social infrastructure; it continues to cause a thousand deaths a day. At stake are the safety of the Angolan people and the Government's responsibility towards the nation.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“Indeed, as the Lusaka talks continue, UNITA is increasing its military pressure and intensifying its armed attacks all over the country, especially in the central region, in an attempt to strengthen its bargaining position and obtain concessions from the Government. Let me recall some instances of UNITA's offensive military operations in recent days: intensive shelling of the city of Kuito, in Bie province, and, since 5 February, attempts to take the city by force; since 12 February, intensive shelling of the city, airport and outskirts of Malange; and movements of troops and heavy weapons in Cabinda province in northern Angola. There are many other examples I shall not cite today.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“It would create a unique situation, setting a precedent that would have tragic political consequences for the country and for the entire region, especially for the new democracies, by encouraging the losers to wage war to achieve a similar solution. Hence, it is imperative for the international community, and the Security Council in particular, to bring UNITA to its senses and continue to pressure that organization to accept the Angolan Government's gesture of good faith and move towards the speedy conclusion of an agreement in Lusaka, and to give up its double game of appearing to be ready to sit down for talks while actually intensifying its military offensive.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“Accordingly, we recently presented to UNITA in Lusaka an offer in which we provided for four ministerial portfolios and five deputy ministries, including defence, at the central, Security Council Forty-ninth Year year 3350th meeting 16 March 1994 provincial and local government levels, and in which we also included the assignment of UNITA staff to foreign- affairs positions in embassies and missions. But, unfortunately, UNITA responded to that offer with an unrealistic proposal, whose objective is power- sharing, asking to head the provincial governments of the central, southern and south-eastern areas - Huambo, Bie and Kuando Kubango - and to head various key ministries. If implemented, those absurd demands for equal power-sharing would cast a shadow over the Angolan democratic process and over the elections.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“That has been proved by its fulfilment of the peace agreements for Angola and of all the elements of the Angolan peace process and by the flexibility it has always shown in all the rounds of negotiations with UNITA, notwithstanding UNITA's gross violations of all the agreements entered into, particularly the Bicesse Accords and the Angola Constitution, and its resort to illegitimate and unconstitutional means to overthrow democratically elected institutions by violence. My Government often reiterates its willingness to broaden UNITA's participation, in conditions of peace, in the government and in all other sectors of national life. My Government has shown its willingness to implement the necessary conditions for true national reconciliation.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“The results obtained so far in Lusaka are the product of, on the one hand, the flexible approach adopted by the Government, and, on the other, the international pressure upon UNITA, particularly through the imposition by the Security Council of a first package of sanctions as well as the threat of other restrictive measures if UNITA persists in its posture of favouring the war. The Angolan Government has always demonstrated a deep commitment to the restoration of peace, to national reconciliation and to the democratization of the country.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“A consensus has also been reached on the general principles for national reconciliation. Discussions are going on about the specific principles for national reconciliation and the future mandate of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM) and of the three observer countries in the Angolan peace process - the United States, Russia and Portugal. However, there is still a long way to go before the Angolan crisis is completely resolved. The determining factor will be the support which the international community, and the United Nations in particular, provides to pave the way for the conclusion of the implementation of the Bicesse Accords and for the complete democratization of the country.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“UNITA's behaviour since the resumption of hostilities has demonstrated that that organization is bent on the conquest of power at any price and on forcing the implementation of illegitimate and unfair political formulas unacceptable in any form of democracy. This uncompromising attitude led to the failure of previous rounds of negotiations and is delaying the conclusion of the current talks in Lusaka, where UNITA has been raising ever more obstacles to the conclusion of a final agreement. Notwithstanding that, the Lusaka talks have already yielded a few important results, which gives grounds for some hope. A consensus has been reached on the subject of UNITA's withdrawal from the zones under military occupation and the respective living quarters as well as on the establishment of a national police force.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“It is imperative that the international community use all the means provided by international law to ensure that the Angolan people do not continue to be penalized by the ambitions of an organization and by the obsession with power of its leader, Jonas Savimbi. UNITA is primarily responsible for the derailment of the peace process in Angola, by its gross violation of the peace accords, by its failure to demobilize its troops, by its continued occupation of several areas where it has kept the local populations in a real kind of captivity, in violation of human rights, by its impeding of the free movement of people and goods, by its withdrawal of its troops from the unified national army, and by its resumption of hostilities after its defeat in the general elections of 1992 - alleging that there had been fraud.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“This passive stand by the international community seems to be ambiguous: the Angolan conflict is currently the most deadly, the most brutal and the most devastating in the world, and yet the international community's reaction to other crises has been prompt and decisive. During the last two years the Security Council has adopted 10 resolutions and various declarations on the situation in Angola in which it has set forth mandatory measures, with which UNITA has never complied - instead, defying in an arrogant fashion the authority of this Council. This posture jeopardizes the reputation of this body, which has demonstrated many times that it has adequate mechanisms available for the implementation of its decisions.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source
“Frederick Chiluba, we reiterate the gratitude of the people of Angola for hosting the peace talks between the Government of Angola and UNITA; we recognize that this is a great contribution to the restoration of peace and stability in Angola. Security Council Forty-ninth Year year 3350th meeting 16 March 1994 Approximately three years have passed since the peace agreements were signed in Angola, and almost two years have passed since the first general and democratic elections took place - and there is still no solution to the crisis in which the Angolan nation has been engulfed since UNITA resumed the war. This long and bloody conflict is still going on, without a firm and decisive position by the international community to make UNITA stop its war machine and follow the path of democracy.”
1994-03-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.3350 (1994) · source