"The ceasefire agreement that last week put an end to 30 years of civil war in Angola is the first step on the way to democracy, development and justice. I now call upon the government to continue its efforts for demobilization and national reconciliation," said Foreign Minister Jan Petersen.

The historic ceasefire agreement concluded on 4 April put a formal end to the civil war that has raged ever since Angola became independent of Portugal in 1975. The demobilization of over 50 000 members of UNITA has now begun, and many of them are being integrated into national forces.

The peace is the result of national negotiations that were made possible by the death of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi six weeks ago. The agreement includes a promise by both parties to continue the negotiations that were started in 1994 but that broke down four years ago.

"Norway will continue to support the government’s reconciliation efforts by continuing our involvement in activities such as mine clearance, strengthening of human rights and rehabilitation of infrastructure," said the Minister. "In the light of the agreement we will consider more closely the best way to cooperate with the Angolan authorities with a view to arriving at a final peace between the parties.

"Since mine clearance is essential if refugees and internally displaced persons are to return to their homes, Norway has pledged a further NOK 10 million to mine clearance programmes as an emergency measure," said Mr. Petersen.