Savimbi’s UNITA Calls for U.S. Intervention in Angola Fighting

Jonas Savimbi’s UNITA opposition movement called Friday on the United States to intervene to end fighting in Angola, saying the latest carnage has caused 15,000 deaths.

There was no independent confirmation of the figure.

UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola) appealed to its former patron as it prepared to meet government officials in U.N.-brokered talks after a week of heavy fighting that has threatened to revive the 16-year civil war.

The top U.N. peacekeeper, Undersecretary General Marrack Goulding, was expected to meet Savimbi and government officials to help negotiate an end to carnage that has forced foreigners to flee the country.

UNITA, whose forces were driven from the capital in street fighting last weekend, made its appeal in a letter to President Bush and President-elect Bill Clinton broadcast on UNITA radio.

“Excellencies, Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton: We appeal to you with the certainty that you can still save the rest of the population not yet affected,” the letter said.

“We are hopeful that you are not going to abandon them at this tragic hour. . . . UNITA is hopeful that the new president of the United States of America will do everything to conclude and consolidate democracy in Angola,” the letter said.

The United States and South Africa were the primary foreign backers of UNITA during Angola’s civil war. The Angolan government was backed by the Soviet Union and Cuba.

Meanwhile, UNITA rebel forces in Angola released 28 Russian and Brazilian technicians held in the east of the country, and they have flown to Luanda, Russia’s Itar-Tass news agency said today.

The news agency, monitored by the British Broadcasting Corp., quoted the Russian ambassador in Angola as saying the technicians, who were working at the Capanda dam on the River Cuanza, were flown to the capital Friday night.

The ambassador said others still held in eastern Angola would be evacuated later today.