§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Angola. [109340]
§ Mr. HainAlthough Angolan government forces appear to be in the ascendency Savimbi undoubtedly retains the capacity to wage a prolonged guerrilla war. We do not believe military action will bring a satisfactory resolution to the conflict. Only a political solution will bring a lasting peace. But Savimbi's word cannot be trusted. We urge UNITA to replace Savimbi as leader. With a different leadership UNITA can be part of a negotiated settlement and be as much part of the solution as it has been part of the problem.
We strongly support UN sanctions against UNITA and the work of the UN Angola Sanctions Committee. We are encouraging UN member states to ensure tighter implementation of all sanctions. We are also keen to make humanitarian assistance available to all Angolans.
We are concerned at allegations that oil revenues may be being diverted for corrupt purposes. I raised this with President dos Santos when I met him in New York on 24 January. It is in Angola's long term interest to spend her oil revenue on building up her skills base, rehabilitation and infrastructure.