Angolan Government: Negotiations only under Lusaka protocolAngolan Foreign Minister Joao Miranda reiterated here on Weekend that his government will only be available for negotiations with the National Union for Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) rebels within the modalities provided in the 1994 Lusaka (peace) protocol.The Angolan minister said this in a public statement to the press as he reacted to reports circulated in a few African countries that negotiations between the government and the UNITA of Jonas Savimbi were allegedly in progress. There are no negotiations with Jonas Savimbi movement, Miranda said, adding that his government has repeatedly reaffirmed its being available for dialogue, "but under the terms of the (Lusaka) protocol, with the objective of implementing the outstanding tasks ". According to the minister, the government has publicly announced its position on the form of completing the unfinished tasks of the Lusaka protocol in a stand supported by the international community. He said the modalities to conclude the said accord translate into UNITA obligation to observe a unilateral and unconditional ceasefire and resolve their internal problems. Forming part of those terms, he said, is UNITA disarming and arms hand-over to the United Nations as per provisions of the Lusaka protocol. Joao Miranda reminded that one of the government's program of action features is the holding of general elections in the country in early next year. |
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