President says UN observers should leave

Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos has sent a message to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan saying there was no longer any justification for the UN Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) to remain in the country. According to a national television broadcast on Monday quoting a presidential spokesman, President dos Santos, however, was not opposed to the idea that Annan “should name a representative, who, from New York, and while liaising with the Angolan Government, could monitor the evolution of Angola’s situation”. He also agreed UN humanitarian aid agencies could remain in the country “to deal with humanitarian assistance, human rights and other matters related to the interests of the people”. He also suggested in the message that the leader of the UNITA rebel movement, Jonas Savimbi be declared a war criminal and that an international warrant be issued for his arrest. UN officials contacted in Luanda said they were aware of the television report, but declined comment.