WASHINGTON -- The United States has welcomed the January 9 agreement
between the Government of Angola and the National Union for the Total
Independence of Angola (UNITA) to complete implementation of the key
outstanding elements of the Lusaka Protocol.
In a statement released January 14, State Department Deputy Spokesman
James B. Foley said that the calendar of activities agreed to by the
two parties is "an act of courage that indicates both Angolan partners
are willing to take the steps necessary to bring peace to their
country."
Following is the text of Foley's statement:
(BEGIN TEXT)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release
98/17
January 14, 1998
STATEMENT BY JAMES B. FOLEY, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN
ANGOLA
The United States welcomes the January 9 agreement by the Government
of Angola and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola
(UNITA) to complete implementation of the key outstanding elements of
the Lusaka Protocol. The calendar of activities was agreed to after
direct consultations between President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and Dr.
Jonas Savimbi. It provides a realistic blueprint for completing the
disarmament and legalization of UNITA as a political party with Dr.
Savimbi as the recognized leader of the largest opposition party. It
also provides for the completion of the extension of Unity Government
administration throughout Angola.
This calendar is an act of courage that indicates both Angolan
partners are willing to take the steps necessary to bring peace to
their country. We urge both the Government and UNITA to continue
working constructively to resolve remaining issues and complete
implementation of the calendar by February 25. That milestone will
signal the unification of Angola after decades of conflict and the
beginning of true multi-party democracy in Angola.
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