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Military Involvement in Côte d'Ivoire Denied

Angola Press Agency (Luanda)
NEWS
October 16, 2002
Posted to the web October 16, 2002
Luanda
Angolan ambassador to France, Assunção dos Anjos, Tuesday in Paris reiterated
that the country is not involved in the military conflict prevailing in Côte
D'Ivoire.
Speaking to journalists, the diplomat said Angola has not even a single soldier
in Côte D'Ivoire, neither is it directly or indirectly involved in that
conflict between Government and rebel forces.
To the ambassador, the fact that Angola currently holds a relevant role in the
international plan, with added responsibilities with the Un Security Council as
a non-permanent member of it and chairs the Southern Africa Development
Community (Sadc) hinders it from getting involved in that conflict.
Angola categorically rejects the reports on its involvement in that country,
Assuncao dos Anjos stressed, adding that his country's policy is oriented by
the principle of non-interference and respect for the United Nations and
African Union charts.
He said there should be no comparison between the presence of Angolan troops in
the Congo, as that occurred within a different historical context that
prioritised the security of Angolan and the region.
The diplomat explained that the presence of Angolan soldiers in the Congo was
in response to a SADC position on that conflict.

   

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