§ 26. Ms KinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments concerning the peace process in Angola. [48726]
§ Mr. Tony LloydThe peace process in Angola has reached a critical stage. UNITA failed to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1176 which called for the extension of state administration throughout Angola, including Andulo and Bailundo where it has its headquarters, by 30 June. New sanctions against UNITA came into effect on 1 July. The mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) has been extended until 15 August.
I was shocked to learn of the death of Maitre Beye, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative to Angola, who died in an air crash near Abidjan on 26 June. I hope this tragedy may help generate renewed commitments from the Angolan Government and UNITA to genuine reconciliation through completion of the Lusaka Protocol. I urge UNITA to fulfil its remaining obligations under the Protocol without delay and call on the Angolan Government to continue to exercise patience and restraint.