The Chairman of the UN Security Council
Sanctions Committee on Angola, Ambassador Robert Fowler of Canada, on a
fact-finding tour of the country, yesterday visited the former headquarters
of UNITA rebels.
Ambassador Fowler visited the city of
Andulo where he inspected war material left by the rebels following the
government's seizure of the area last October, a UN spokesman said in New
York today. He met previously with Joao Miranda, the Angolan Minister of
External Affairs, and Carlos Sumbula, the Vice-Minister of Geology and
Mines.
Ambassador Fowler is in Angola with experts who are investigating how to strengthen UN sanctions prohibiting trade with UNITA in diamonds and in arms.
"There is no doubt that sanctions against UNITA are much better understood today than a year ago," said Ambassador Fowler, citing the UN's progress in enforcing the sanctions.
Ambassador Fowler is expected to participate in the Security Council's open briefing on Angola on 18 January.