Government offensive near rebel stronghold

Angolan government forces are engaged in a major battle to capture the UNITA rebel stronghold of Bailundo, some 480 km southeast of the capital Luanda, western diplomatic sources told IRIN on Monday. Diplomats said they were checking news reports that hundreds of civilians had been killed and that others were fleeing fighting around Bailundo which started two weeks ago when the government launched a major offensive against UNITA positions around Angola from Huambo and Bie provinces in the central districts to Malanje east of the capital and Uige Province in northern Angola. They said it was too early to confirm reports claiming Bailundo had been captured because the authorities had so far declined all comment, and no announcement had been made in the state media. Bailundo, a rebel stronghold used sometimes as a residence of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi, is the home of the traditional and spiritual leader, King Ekuikui of the Ovimbundu people. It is situated just 120 km southwest of Andulo, a key UNITA air supply base. The diplomats said Bailundo's capture would constitute the first major victory for government forces since the war resumed last December after the breakdown of the UN-brokered Lusaka Protocol peace accords. Richard Cornwall, an expert on the region at the South African-based Institute of Strategic Studies (ISS) said: "We believe government forces have reached the river boundary just 7 km outside the city. Militarily speaking, it would be difficult to capture and UNITA know that they would have great difficult re-capturing the city if it did fall into government hands." General Carlos Henriques, inspector-general of the Armed Forces of Angola (FAA) told Reuters: "When the appropriate moment arises, we will give this information." However, he added, the army chief of staff, Joao de Matos, was currently on an assessment mission and would release information on his return. A Portuguese radio report monitored by the BBC quoted a senior UNITA official as saying on Monday that the rebels were still in control of Bailundo. Adalberto da Costa Junior, the UNITA representative in Italy said: "There have been various reports saying that Bailundo has been taken. I can give you absolute assurances that at least until yesterday Bailundo had not been taken."