Angola, 2000

Allow me to begin by

congratulating you, Sir, on behalf of my Government

and on my own behalf, on your assumption of the

presidency of the fifty-fifth session of the General

Assembly.

I also wish to congratulate, in particular, the

outgoing President, Mr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, the

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Namibia, for the wise

and dynamic manner in which he carried out his

mandate. I would also like to express our appreciation

to Secretary-General Kofi Annan for his unselfish

efforts to make the United Nations an increasingly

effective instrument, capable of dealing with the

demands of our times and finding and implementing

solutions for the most pressing problems of the world.

Just a few days ago, during the Millennium

Summit, the leaders of the world defined the priorities

of the United Nations for the twenty-first century and

expressed the need to adapt its structure for the

demands and challenges of the future. During that

event of transcendental importance for the lives of the

people of this planet, the indispensable and

irreplaceable character of the United Nations in

international relations was reaffirmed. Member States

reiterated their promise to maintain and preserve the

United Nations as a privileged mechanism for

international dialogue and cooperation in the name of

peace and well-being of all peoples.

Indeed, given the role of the United Nations as

guarantor of peace and well-being of the peoples, it is

urgent that we begin the implementation of actions

aimed at adapting its internal structure to new world

realities. This will permit the Organization to deal

rapidly and effectively with the main problems of the

world and avoid having its members resort to solutions

outside the established framework of its main

organs namely, the General Assembly and the

Security Council.

In recent years, the United Nations sought,

through world summits, to find global solutions with

broad international consensus for the many misfortunes

that afflict humanity, such as local wars, degradation of

the environment, violations of human rights and

inadequate social development, among others. Various

plans of action were outlined. However, the problems

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they sought to attenuate or resolve persist. Many have

even become worse.

A revision of the mechanism for implementing

decisions is needed, through a revitalization and

strengthening of the United Nations system,

particularly that of its principal bodies, such as the

Security Council. From our point of view, that body

requires greater internal democracy, and its

composition should reflect the current membership in

the Organization and its geographic diversity. We think

that, in this way, its decision-making would be faster

and its performance in the area of peacekeeping and

international security more effective.

The persistence of a climate of insecurity and

instability in a number of regions of the world cannot

be attributed solely to internal causes; it also stems

from weakness in the international security system. A

reflection of this are the deficiencies that still exist, for

example, in the early warning system and in the

peacekeeping operations mechanisms. These have not

always corresponded to the desired objectives, either

because the peacekeeping missions sometimes are not

sent in a timely manner, or because at times, they are

not provided with adequate human, material and

financial resources. Sometimes this is due to the

ambiguity in the mission mandate itself.

We recognize that the effectiveness of action in

the area of peace and international security does not

depend only on United Nations activities. There has to

be renewed commitment on the part of each and every

State. On this matter, I would like to applaud the recent

publication of the Brahimi report.

It is our understanding that the adoption of

measures at the national, regional and international

levels should be made part of this commitment in order

to eliminate the sources of financing for local wars. In

the particular case of the African continent, the

continent most affected by the scourge of war, the

illicit trade in diamonds has been the primary source of

support for wars incited by some rebel groups with the

objective of overturning democratically elected

regimes. Some new initiatives have been launched with

the aim of reducing access of these conflict

diamonds to the international market. My Government

supports these initiatives and will provide any

cooperation necessary for their implementation.

Another serious issue affecting international

security is the circulation and transfer of small arms

that flow to areas of conflict by way of rebel groups.

This takes place with the connivance of certain

Governments and networks of transnational organized

crime. The lack of international legal instruments

capable of controlling transactions of these arms is

stimulating the creation of actual arms markets, above

all in Africa. This is leading to an increased number of

conflicts and making their resolution even more

difficult. According to United Nations data, the effects

of these arms on civil populations are shocking. They

have already resulted in more deaths than the two

world wars combined. In fact, the issue of conflict

diamonds and the proliferation of small arms assumes

special importance for Angola. It is through the sale of

illegally mined diamonds that the rebels led by Jonas

Savimbi reconstituted their war machine, with which

they then undertook a large-scale military campaign

aimed at taking power. That war campaign led to a

procession of death and destruction, and it is the

principal reason for the economic instability in Angola.

This scenario is repeating itself in other regions of

Africa and the world. For this reason, a solution is

urgently required.

The economic and social development and

subsequent eradication of poverty, full respect for

human rights, democracy and good governance can

only be achieved in absolute conditions of peace and

stability. It is in this context that my Government

established, as a priority, the restoration of definitive

peace in Angola. As a result of its efforts to attain this

objective, the general situation in Angola has

significantly improved. It is for this reason that today

we are more confident than ever of a future of peace,

development and prosperity.

Indeed, the war has ceased to have the same

intensity as it did several years ago, and the conflict

itself is moving progressively towards an end. The

political and military measures undertaken by the

Government have significantly reduced the ability of

the rebels to wage war. These measures have also

allowed the Government to resume control over nearly

the entire country.

More than 12,000 rebel military personnel have

abandoned their arms and joined the efforts of

reconstruction and national reconciliation. Those who

persist in waging war have less and less space, and

their activities are limited today to isolated armed

attacks against civilian targets, the objective being to

destroy and loot the people's property.

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The military measures undertaken by the

Government represent a necessary and legitimate

recourse designed to stop the violence unleashed by the

rebels of UNITA, which put in jeopardy the very

existence of the Angolan democratic system. However,

despite the fact that the ongoing measures aimed at the

total control of our national borders and the elimination

of the remaining pockets of criminal armed groups are

having a positive impact in the search for peace, they

do not constitute our only option for the resolution of

armed conflict.

Simultaneously, we will continue to implement

other actions aimed at guaranteeing the total

implementation of the Lusaka Protocol, which for us

continues to be a valid basis for the resolution of the

Angolan problem. In this context, we reiterate our

readiness to continue to integrate in our society all

those who choose to abandon the option of war.

The international community, and the United

Nations in particular, still has an active role to play in

the process of restoring peace in Angola, through the

continued implementation and strengthening of

sanctions against the rebels led by Jonas Savimbi.

The recent nomination by the Secretary-General

of the members of the mechanism to monitor the

application of sanctions against the UNITA rebels, in

accordance with Security Council resolution 1295

(2000), will contribute to greater international

vigilance regarding possible violations. It will deny

bases of support to the armed rebellion in Angola. We

hope that all Members of the United Nations will

extend their cooperation to that body.

The significant improvement of the situation in

Angola, however, has not brought an immediate end to

the effects of war on the lives of the people. The

humanitarian situation continues to be critical, and for

that reason we appeal to the international community to

increase its assistance to the needy populations.

The positive evolution of the situation is not

limited to the politico-military field; it has also carried

over into the macroeconomic sector. Angola continues

on the path of economic reforms which have earned the

confidence of international financial institutions. This

progress translated to the recent signature of an

agreement with the International Monetary Fund

relating to the implementation of a monitored

programme.

We hope that the international community will

contribute substantially through the investment of

capital during the recovery phase of the Angolan

economy in supporting stability and growth. Angola

adopted legislation to protect foreign investment by

providing incentives and guarantees.

The international situation continues to be

characterized by violence and tension in various parts

of the world; they constitute a serious threat to peace

and stability. Angola is seriously concerned by the

continuation of the conflict in the Democratic Republic

of the Congo in view of the grave repercussions for

stability and development in the central region of

Africa. The situation in that neighbouring country,

which shares more than 2,000 kilometres of common

border with Angola, remains quite volatile and

complex. It runs the risk of a serious worsening if

appropriate measures are not taken.

The resolution of the Congolese conflict must

come about, fundamentally, through the

implementation of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement. In

spite of its shortcomings, which perhaps call for a new

reading, it continues to be the only basis acceptable to

all the parties involved. It respects the sovereignty and

territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the

Congo. Invading forces should withdraw completely

from Congolese territory and cease immediately their

support for the destabilization of that country.

These conditions, in addition to the inter-

Congolese dialogue, founded on a realistic base

including the unequivocal recognition of the authority

of the Government in Kinshasa, will be crucial for the

success of the peace process. Angola reiterates its

commitment to continue to make the necessary efforts,

together with the mediator, President Frederick Chiluba

of Zambia, and other parties to the Lusaka Agreement,

until a way out of the conflict is found.

In Sierra Leone, the prosecution of hostilities

continues to delay the pacification of the country.

Angola supports regional initiatives aimed at

reactivating the peace process and condemns the

attacks against United Nations personnel and forces.

We support steps aimed at bringing to international

justice the principal parties responsible for the

atrocities committed against the people of that country.

In Somalia, the progress reached at the national

conference led to the re-establishment of some national

institutions and moved the country closer to peace.

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Angola encourages the continuation of these efforts

and hopes that in the near future Somalia may be able

to reassume, de facto, its rightful place in the

international community.

In the Horn of Africa, the conflict between

Ethiopia and Eritrea has undergone some positive

movement following the signing of the Cessation of

Hostilities Agreement in Algiers. We hope that the two

parties honour their commitments under the accord and

create conditions for the establishment of good-

neighbourly relations and cooperation.

Similarly, we continue to be optimistic regarding

the resolution of the conflict in Western Sahara through

the implementation of the United Nations peace plan.

Angola is following with particular attention the

situation in Zimbabwe, our fraternal country, and

supports the efforts of the Government of that country

to find a just and fair solution to the land problem that

was inherited from the colonial period. In this context,

we share and fully support the position expressed by

the Southern African Development Community

(SADC) and the Non-Aligned Movement on land

reform in Zimbabwe.

In the Middle East, the question of Palestine

constitutes the fundamental cause of conflict in the

region. Angola reaffirms its support for the right of the

Palestinian people to self-determination. The resolution

of this conflict must encompass a political compromise

between the parties involved and the effective

implementation of relevant Security Council

resolutions and other understandings reached.

Less than a year ago, the people of East Timor

finally succeeded in exercising their right to self-

determination. Angola feels pleased and compensated

by this historic accomplishment, since it was one of the

countries that fought in the United Nations and other

international forums for the right of the Timorese

people to freely choose their own destiny.

The international community, and the United

Nations in particular, which is responsible for the

management of the transition period, cannot permit the

current climate of violence, provoked by the militias

with the objective of impeding the independence of the

territory, to impose itself over the will of a people that

has already suffered for decades the scourge of

colonialism and foreign domination. Angola strongly

condemns these acts of violence, which have resulted

in great loss of life, destruction and chaos. Angola

appeals to the Security Council to take appropriate

steps to ensure its immediate cessation.

In the past two years, the world economy has

registered a clear recovery since the crisis that shook

Asia. The industrial economies and the so-called

emerging markets are becoming stronger and achieving

considerable rates of growth. However, the present

world economic order continues to be marked by sharp

distortions between North and South. While the North

enjoys unprecedented prosperity, the South continues

to suffer poverty and social injustice. Contributing to

these ills are restrictive economic measures imposed

unilaterally. The embargo imposed against Cuba is one

example its principal victims are the most

vulnerable strata of its population. We will continue to

support the lifting of the embargo.

The international goal of reducing by one half, by

the year 2015, the percentage of the world population

living in extreme poverty will require strenuous efforts,

above all by the wealthiest countries and international

financial institutions. In particular, it will be necessary

to relieve the burden of external debt, whose service

payments alone absorb a large part of the financial

resources of developing countries.

At the same time, steps will be necessary to

attenuate the negative impact of globalization. Despite

the fact that it has strengthened the spirit of community

in international economic relations, globalization has

benefited wealthy countries more than underdeveloped

countries. The structural adjustment programmes under

way in many developing countries should take account

of real necessities and specifics, because many of the

measures imposed by the international financial

institutions have caused serious difficulties, above all

of a social nature.

To conclude my remarks, I would like to call

attention to the need to pay more attention to the

economic situation of the African continent. This

should be done in such a way as to facilitate its

integration into the world market, particularly through

the transfer of technology and increasing productive

investment.