§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress being made in peace talks in Angola.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe talks continue, but agreement has still not been reached on the issue of UNITA's participation in Government. The Angolan Government broadly accepted compromise proposals from the mediators about which posts should be given to UNITA. But UNITA has not yet accepted them. We have urged UNITA to respond positively.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current military situation in Angola.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydSince February, there has been a rise in military activity by both the Government of Angola and UNITA forces. There is particularly heavy fighting around the cities of Kuito and Malanje, and Huambo has been bombed. This has resulted in an indefinite suspension of humanitarian relief flights. We have expressed concern to both parties and urged them to respect United Nations Security Council calls for all offensive military operations to cease.