UN observers depart UNITA strongholds

A group of 13 soldiers of the UN Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) held for the past month in UNITA territory have been released and will be flown to the capital Luanda later on Monday. A MONUA spokesman told IRIN that the men, predominantly Indian nationals, had already been flown to the provincial capital, Huambo. “They are all in good form,” the spokesman said. “They were airlifted from the towns of Bailundo and Andulo on Sunday. Their morale is high.” Last week, Western diplomats said they were concerned for safety because they had received reports that government forces were preparing “an imminent attack” on Andulo. Their release followed a statement by the UN Security Council that it was holding UNITA responsible for their safety.