Briefing on Angola and the DRC

We had quite an extensive briefing on Angola from Under-Secretary-General

Gambari, who is following a political initiative for the Secretary-General on

Angola, and Under-Secretary-General Oshima, who reported to us on the

humanitarian situation.

There is very strong support within the Security Council for the work which

Prof Gambari is doing for the Secretary-General on Angola in taking forward

the process of international support for reconciliation and internal dialogue in

Angola, under the terms of the Lusaka Protocols and with the support of the

government of Angola obviously. The UN office in Angola has been extended

through agreement by the Council last week for a further six months, and is

moving into this process and also into support for the humanitarian efforts of

the international community in Angola. Members of the Council were

distressed still at the dire humanitarian situation in Angola. There are people

who are putting politics before the needs of the Angolan people in this

process. And this is causing huge disruption, upset and humanitarian misery.

We need access for the international organisations and humanitarian workers

in Angola, and we need delivery of aid beyond the points that those people

have already reached. Children are suffering in particular and there is

substantial under-funding as Mr Oshima pointed out for humanitarian aid in

Angola. The international community must respond more urgently to the

appeal for funds from the UN and others. Meanwhile members of the Council

feel that the government of Angola is working in the right direction in

establishing a reconciliation and amnesty process, in moving towards

elections in late 2002, and in otherwise pursuing the Lusaka process.

Members of the Council feel that UNITA is not responding, in particular Mr

Savimbi is not responding to this process. It is becoming a more open

process. There is room for all members at the top of UNITA to respond to this

and the Council wants to see that happen. Mr Gambari will return to the

Council after his visit in May and we shall discuss this issue further.

We also had a briefing from Under-Secretary-General, Oshima on the

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) which he visited in the second week

of April. Again, a horrific humanitarian situation, and again a significant

under-funding. So far only 13% funding of the 72 million dollar UN appeal for

the DRC. Please would member states capitals look at that under-funding.

Donors must come forward for both the DRC and Angola. There is a lot of

work still to be done.