/ 29 December 1999

UNITA CALLS FOR TALKS

THE Unita rebel movement in Angola has called for peace talks with the government next year, following a string of defeats in its south-eastern strongholds. In a statement published in Paris, Unita said peace has to go further than a simple end to hostilities. “Peace must come from a dialogue on the deep historical and political causes of the conflict,” which has opposed the rebels and the government, led by President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, for the last 24 years, the statement said.