/ 28 January 1999

ZAMBIAN ARMS PROBE

ZAMBIAN legislators have called for a serious government probe into reports alleging top state officials are supplying arms to Unita rebels in Angola. Two members of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy have asked President Frederick Chiluba to tell the truth about these allegations. One of the lawmakers, Jerry Muloji, said any delay in carrying out the investigation may provoke Angola to strike Zambia in a bid to stop the alleged gun-running. Muloji said Angolan accusations of Zambia giving weapons to Unita do not appear to be completely unfounded and must be cross-checked. He said planes are seen landing at night at an airstrip in his constituency in north-western Zambia, on the border with Angola.