Angola.

• Position: UN's peacekeeping efforts - Peacewatch: Spot Stories

The Security Council on 16 April extended the mandate of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) until 30 June 1997, with the understanding that the Mission would proceed, as appropriate, with the transition towards an observer mission. The Council said it intended to consider the establishment of a follow-on United Nations presence to succeed UNAVEM III, and requested the Secretary-General to submit no later than 6 June recommendations regarding the structure, specific goals and cost implications of such a mission.

The follow-on observer mission was expected to focus on political, police and human rights aspects, as well as on humanitarian and public information programmes in support of the national reconciliation process.

Following two meetings and statements by 29 speakers on the situation in Angola, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 1106 (1997), by which it also requested the Secretary-General to complete the withdrawal of UNAVEM Ill military units as scheduled, taking into account progress in the remaining relevant aspects of the peace process.

Reiterating the importance of full implementation by the Government of Angola and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) of their commitments to the peace process, the Council strongly urged them to complete without delay the remaining military aspects of the process. Among those aspects are the incorporation of UNITA soldiers into the Angolan Armed Forces and their demobilization, and the selection and incorporation of UNITA personnel into the Angolan National Police. The parties were also urged to complete the normalization of State administration throughout the national territory.

The Council warmly welcomed the inauguration on 11 April of the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation (GURN), and said it considered that a meeting between Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and UNITA President Jonas Savimbi within the territory of Angola would contribute to national reconciliation.

Afonso Van Dunem "Mbinda" of Angola told the Council on 16 April that the international community had witnessed an important turning point in the history of Angola - the inauguration of GURN and the return of UNITA members to parliament. The future of the country was in the hands of Angolans, and their courage, tenacity and spirit of sacrifice would bring peace and prosperity, he said.

Sergey V. Lavrov of the Russian Federation, which along with...