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THE WHITE HOUSE

                      Office of the Press Secretary
                            (Moscow, Russia)
_______________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                       May 8, 1995

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The United States welcomes the May 6 meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, between Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos and UNITA president Jonas Savimbi. This long-awaited meeting adds important political impetus to the framework for peace established by the Lusaka Protocol. The spirit of national reconciliation expressed by the Angolan leaders has bolstered the prospects for a lasting and durable peace.

By coming together at this crucial time in Lusaka, President dos Santos and Dr. Savimbi have demonstrated the political will necessary to make the Lusaka peace process succeed. We praise these leaders for their courage and determination and call upon them to ensure that their good will is matched by concrete actions.

The United States remains committed to supporting the peace process through the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping force as well as through our own efforts to help rebuild the Angolan economy and to support democratization and national reconciliation. International assistance can only help, however, if the Angolan people and Angola's leaders are truly committed to peace. The May 6 Lusaka meeting was an important step in solidifying that commitment.

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