African Activist Archive

Fundraising mailing for the Washington Office on Africa discusses the dire situation in Angola. Having lost the September 1992 elections, Jonas Savimbi and his UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola) forces plunged the country back into full-scale war; as a result of UNITA's latest round of attacks, over 16,000 people have been killed, thousands have fled UNITA-held areas, and over 1.4 million people - one-tenth of the population - are facing starvation. The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 811 (enclosed) soundly condemning UNITA for its actions; this important resolution received only passing mention in the news media, but, as in Somalia, this deadly legacy of the Cold War imperils millions of people. The policy climate has changed in Washington with the new administration; but inertia and the press of other crises makes it likely that Washington's reaction will again be too little and too late. Some initiatives by Members of Congress are encouraging, including that both Senate Africa Subcommittee Chairman Senator Paul Simon and House Africa Subcommittee Chairman Harry Johnston have urged quick U.S. recognition of Angola. Johnston is the principle sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution #75, a sense of the Congress resolution which calls for the unconditional recognition of Angola. An urgent action memo on Angola also is enclosed asking for lobbying of congressional Representative in support of this resolution. The mailing includes a copy of a newspaper article "U.S. Policy Toward Angola Languishes As Appointee Waits for Confirmation" by Robert S. Greenberger and a newspaper editorial "Confused on Angola." The mailing discusses President Clinton, George Moose, Herman Cohen, the Bush and Reagan administrations, the Cold War, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, the MPLA, the CIA, oil money, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UNAVEM II (United Nations Angola Verification Mission II), the Charter of the United Nations, the 'Acordos de Paz para Angola', civil war, the kidnapping of a military observer, heavy fighting, Cabinda, Addis Adaba, humanitarian relief assistance, resolution 804 (1993), United Nations agencies, the Government of Angola, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

African Activist Archive

[The situation in Angola is dire.]

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