Annan Seeks Funds For Angola's Demobilised Soldiers

NEW YORK, United Nations (PANA) - United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has written the world body's member states seeking their help in financing the demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants in Angola.

In the letter, obtained by PANA in News York, Annan said that lack of resources could jeopardise the demobilisation and reintegration process, and the entire Angolan peace process.

I am writing to seek the assistance of your government in resolving this problem, he said in the letter, dated May 16.

The Angolan demobilisation and reintegration process is being handled by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a specialised UN agency.

Annan's letter said that though IOM's demobilisation programme for the current year would cost about 48 million dollars, the agency currently had less than one million dollars.

He said that unless the demobilisation process could go forward, the Angolan peace process could falter.

I should therefore like to appeal to governments to come forward urgently and contribute funds to the IOM to permit it to continue assisting the demobilisation process.

There is an immediate need for 15 million dollars for the next three months, after which the situation would be assessed to determine what further resources may be needed to complete demobilisation, the Secretary-General said.

The long-delayed demobilisation of former soldiers finally started after the formation of a government of national unity in Angola on April 11.

The formation of the government is the high-point of the November 1994 Lusaka Protocol, a peace agreement aimed at ending decades of civil war in Angola.

The IOM has so far helped in reintegrating about 12,000 demobilised soldiers and dependents.

The agency's target is 100,000 demobilised soldiers and 300,000 dependents.