U.S. Tries to Jump-Start Angola Peace

Secretary of State Warren Christopher flew Monday to this war-ravaged capital to try to jump-start the process to end one of the world’s deadliest conflicts.

But the visit from the highest-ranking U.S. official since Angola became independent in 1975 was marred by the nonappearance of Jonas Savimbi, leader of the rebel movement known as the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, or UNITA.

Christopher called for a swifter Angolan peace and said the United States “would not tolerate” any resumption of conflict by UNITA during its talks with the freely elected government of President Jose Eduardo dos Santos. “With the U.N. leaving in a matter of months, it is imperative that both sides move more rapidly to meet their obligations,” Christopher said.

In a bid to keep the much-delayed process on track, Christopher asked George Moose, an assistant U.S. secretary of state, to fly to Bailundo, the UNITA central highlands headquarters, to warn Savimbi that he faces more U.N. sanctions next month if he does not keep the peace.

UNITA, which was a funnel for U.S. covert aid in the 1970s and ‘80s when Angola was a Cold War battleground with the Soviet Union, has fallen significantly behind in both political and military compliance with a 1994 peace accord, signed in Lusaka, the Zambian capital.

Savimbi said he did not meet Christopher in Luanda because of security concerns; one of his demobilized generals was killed there weeks ago. But the U.S. delegation downplayed this concern, saying it was no reason to boycott Monday’s meeting. Savimbi also did not show up for a meeting with southern African leaders last week.

The peace process now hangs in the balance, with U.N. troops in the world’s most expensive peacekeeping operation due to begin withdrawing in February. Meanwhile, this southwest African country effectively remains partitioned between two factions that have been at war for two decades.

“We are obviously concerned, as are others, about the delays in the process and the impact of those delays on the confidence and the future process of implementation of the peace agreement,” Moose said.

Although Angola is among the world’s most war-racked countries, it also has oil and diamond riches. About twice the size of Texas, it provides 7% of imported U.S. oil--about as much as supplied by Nigeria. Private investment in Angola by Chevron, Texaco, Occidental, Exxon, Conoco and Ranger oil companies totals $4 billion--a figure expected to grow in the next decade as new areas are exploited, U.S. officials say.

Because of these interests, Washington has played a key diplomatic and financial role in the Angolan peace process, underwriting 25% of the $1-million-a-day peacekeeping operation here and pledging $190 million more last year to support development and reconstruction, demobilization of warring troops, de-mining and food aid.

“The stakes [in Angola] are huge,” a senior Clinton administration official told reporters. “It’s the last piece of the puzzle in southern Africa. If it’s peaceful and stable, Angola can emerge as an engine for economic growth for the subregion and beyond.”

But the challenges here are equally huge. There were up to 20 million land mines planted here during the conflict. More than 70,000 Angolans are amputees. More than 500,000 of Angola’s 10 million people have died since rival militias began fighting each other in 1975.

And the killing is not over. “There are more land mines in Angola than people,” Christopher said at a U.N. de-mining demonstration. Although the fighting has abated, 150 to 200 Angolans still die each week from mines.

Christopher called on Savimbi to provide--as the rebel leader has promised--26,000 volunteers from 62,500 demobilized UNITA fighters for the new combined armed forces. He said the rebel leader should send his remaining generals to Luanda.

Savimbi also has yet to participate in forming a national coalition government, which was scheduled to be functioning by mid-1996. The 36 UNITA lawmakers elected in 1992 have not taken up their seats, nor have UNITA officials arrived in Luanda to assume their four allocated ministries.

While Savimbi has proposed governing alternatives--they would shift his role from holding one of two vice presidential slots to heading the opposition--Christopher said the rebel leader’s failure to show Monday was “a missed opportunity” to discuss this and other matters. Despite the billions of dollars given Savimbi by several U.S. administrations, Christopher said pressure would not be “useful” in persuading the rebel leader to comply. But he warned Savimbi: “The Security Council is determined to take measures if [the disputing Angolans] don’t make progress by Nov. 20.”

The new sanctions could include an international freeze on UNITA assets and withdrawal of access to foreign aid. Savimbi would also face withdrawal of U.N. forces.

Meantime, in talks with the Dos Santos government, Christopher discussed growing U.S.-Angolan economic relations and pitched the idea that U.S. oil companies must be considered for offshore oil development in northern Angola. Dos Santos said the United States was “in good stead” in Luanda and would have “every consideration” for more deals in light of Angola’s desire to expand and deepen commercial ties.