UNITA calls for proof of abductions

The UNITA rebel movement on Friday called for proof of its forces involvement in the recent attack on a church in Kwanza Norte province, during which a group of young people were abducted, Lusa reported. The Bishop of the province told Lusa last week that during an attack on a church near Golungo Alto, about 200 km from Luanda, a total of 23 children and young people had been seized by armed men. The Bishop did not directly accuse UNITA of involvement but had said, "UNITA are not very far from that area". He also said he had no idea of the group's whereabouts. Lusa said that a statement from UNITA was sent to it on Friday. The statement was quoted as saying that UNITA troops had specific instructions not to attack churches, abduct people or launch attacks on organisations not connected to the government. The statement added that it found reports of the supposed action by its troops "rather strange", also stating that the disciplinary code amongst its troops "heavily punished such shameful acts".