Slow progress in implementation of peace agreement concerns Council.

• Position: UN Security Council; Angola

The Security Council on 8 February extended the mandate of the UN Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) until 8 May. By unanimously adopting resolution 1045 (1996), the Council expressed concern at numerous delays in the implementation of the 1994 Lusaka Protocol and reminded the Government of Angola and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) of their obligations to consolidate the peace process. It urged them to maintain the cease-fire, conclude their talks on integration of the armed forces, undertake demining, and commence the integration of UNITA personnel into administrative and governmental institutions.

UNAVEM III was established in February 1995 to help the Government and UNITA restore peace and achieve national reconciliation. The Mission is to be concluded by February 1997 with the achievement of the objectives of the Lusaka Protocol. The Protocol, signed by both parties on 20 November 1994, reaffirmed the validity of the 31 May 1991 Peace Accords aimed at ending 20 years of civil conflict in Angola. It consists of eight annexes, covering all military, legal and political issues agreed to at the peace talks which preceded it. One of the main military issues concerns the quartering and demilitarization of UNITA's military forces.

The Council welcomed the efforts of the Angolan Government to cease offensive operations, withdraw its troops from offensive positions in the vicinity of UNITA quartering areas, release all prisoners of war registered by the International Committee of the Red Cross, begin the quartering of the Rapid Reaction Police, and terminate the contracts of expatriate personnel. It expressed the expectation that the Government would continue its efforts towards the full implementation of its obligations under the Lusaka Protocol.

The Council also urged UNITA to proceed immediately with the orderly, large-scale and verifiable movement of its troops to quartering areas and to conclude all quartering by 8 May. UNITA was also asked to extend full cooperation to UNAVEM III and release all remaining prisoners.

On 21 December, the Council had reiterated its concern at the slow progress in implementing the Lusaka Protocol by both parties and had stressed the importance of full implementation of all aspects of the peace process, including the political one.

In a statement by Council President Sergey Lavrov of the Russian Federation, it had also stressed that several important tasks that were to...