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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by M. Lee McClenny, Acting Spokesman
December 28, 1998

Angola--Monua Plane Crash and Humanitarian Concerns

The United States notes with great sadness the crash of a UN Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) airplane on December 26 with 14 passengers and crew aboard. We offer our condolences to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and to the families of those who perished in the courageous cause of attempting to bring peace to Angola.

At this tragic moment, we call on both government authorities and UNITA to implement immediately a cease fire in the area around Vila Nova so that MONUA can complete search and rescue operations. We also call on government forces and UNITA to provide security guarantees for MONUA’s search and to support these efforts as the UN may require.

The United States remains deeply concerned by the widening conflict between UNITA and the armed forces of the Government of Angola. UNITA’s heavy shelling in the town of Kuito last week raises serious concerns for the safety of the civilian population there. We urge restraint by UNITA to prevent a humanitarian disaster for the inhabitants of that area.

The MONUA crash and the continued suffering of the Angolan people underscore the need to achieve a lasting peace in Angola through a negotiated political settlement.

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