Minister Cowen welcomes the lifting of sanctions against UNITA

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D. today welcomed the decision by the United Nations Security Council to lift the sanctions it imposed in 1997 and 1998 against the Uniao Nacional para a Independencia Total de Angola (UNITA).

The Minister said that

“the Security Council's decision recognises that the principal formal requirements of the Angolan peace process have now been completed.”

In congratulating the Angolan Government and UNITA which, until earlier this year, had engaged in violent conflict for more than quarter of a century the Minister said

“The implementation of the peace process represents a clear commitment by both sides to forge lasting peace and reconciliation in Angola”.

The Minister added that

“The rigorous implementation of the Security Council's sanctions against UNITA has played a crucial part in reducing UNITA's capacity to wage wars. The UNITA leadership has conceded that the effectiveness of sanctions contributed directly to the ceasefire that was signed by the two sides on 4 April 2002.”

The Minister said that Ireland had played a positive role in the resolution of one of Africa's most enduring and devastating conflicts, including through the chairing since January 2001 by its Permanent Representative, Ambassador Richard Ryan, of the Security Council Committee established to implement the sanctions against UNITA.

Minister Cowen further added that

“Ireland remains very conscious of the scale of the humanitarian crisis facing Angola that, after decades of war, has caused the displacement of more than four million people. The international community and the Angolan Government need to work together to address the crisis.

The Minister called on the Angolan Government to ensure that a greater share of its revenues are made available to support the development of sustainable social and economic reform. Ireland, which has contributed substantial levels of emergency funds to address the situation in Angola, will continue to do so in an effort to provide humanitarian assistance. Top