§ 12. Mr. Michael BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports has he received on the process towards internal reconciliation in Angola.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe welcome the security conference of Angola's neighbours in Luanda on 16 May and President Dos Santos' announcement of a peace plan for Angola, including a zone of peace along the line of the Benguela railway. We shall continue to encourage African countries in their mediation efforts.
§ Mr. BrownIn addition to that answer, does my right hon. Friend agree that the United Nations agreement of last year is most important? Does she not think that we 905 should ensure that the United Nations increases the number of observers in Angola, to make sure that the withdrawal of Cuban troops materialises?
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe Cuban troop withdrawal from Angola is going ahead in accordance with the Geneva protocol. The net withdrawal of 6,885 troops was completed by the end of April. My hon. Friend will probably know that the United Nations has doubled up the monitoring force, because it is by monitoring what is going on that we can assist. I have every confidence that the actions taken by UNAVEM—the United Nations force—will bring about the clear recognition that the plan has been fully executed.