Participation of the Hungarian Defence Force in the UNs Operations in Angola09. 17. 2014. Lt Col JNOS BESENY, PhD

AGENDAAngolaThe Angolan conflictUN operationsHungarys involvement in the operationsSelectionTrainingEquipmentActivities of peace-support personnelConclusions

AngolaArea: 1 246 700 km, Variegated topography and climatePolpulation: over 20 million over 100 ethnic groups (Ovimbundu - 37%, Ambundu - 25%, Bakong - 13%, Ovambo, Herrero, Lunda, Chokwe, Koisan, Mulat, Portuguese, etc.)Religions: Christians (75 %), Animists (20%), negligible number of MuslimsRich in natural resources, dynamically developing (mid-level income) country, agriculture has a prominent role in the economy

The Angolan Conflict I.Portuguese colonisation between 1480 and 1919 Portuguese West Africa, mass immigration of Portuguese1961-1975 war of liberation against the Portuguese MPLA, FNLA, UNITANovember 1975 Angolan Peoples Republic, president: Agostinho NetoConflict among MPLA on one side UNITA, FNLA organisations on the other; USSR and Cuba support the government (MPLA)March 1976 FNLA decively defeated, UNITA receives US and South-African support; conflict is internationalisedNovember 1987 to March 1988 Cuito Cuanavale stalemate in the war a question of negotiations1988 negotiations begin with US mediationJanuary 1988 UNAVEM I.22 December 1988 New York agreement, Cuban and South-African forces withdrawn

The Angolan Conflict II.1 May 1991 Bicesse peace agreement UNAVEM II. begins operations29-30 September 1992 parliamentary and presidential electionsOctober 1992 renewed conflict between MPLA and UNITA last nearly 10 years with variegated results15 November 1994 Lusaka AccordFebruary 1995 to June 1997 UNAVEM III.30 June 1997 to 26 February 1999 MONUA1998 Third Angolan War1999 the UN quits the Angolan conflict due to UNITA sanctions against the organisation22 February 2002 - Moxico Province, death of Savimbi4 April 2002 real peace agreement between government and UNITA reconstruction of the country begins

UNAVEM II.The UNs second Angolan Verification Mission (UNAVEM-II) between June 1991 and February 1995Mandate:enforcement of the provisions of the peace accordverification of ceasefire provisionssupervision of Angolan policeobservation of elections and validation of resultsMediation between belligerentsNumber of Hungarian military personnel: 42

UNAVEM III. UNs third Angolan Verification Mission (UNAVEM-III) - between February 1995 and June 1997Mandate:enforcement of the provisions of the Lusaka Accordverification of ceasefire provisionssupport for the establishment of the states institutionsConversion of UNITA from armed group to political partydisarmament of the armed groups and civilian population DDR programmesNumber of Hungarian military personnel: about 20

MONUA UN Observation Mission in Angola (MONUA) between 30 June 1997 and 26 february 1999Mandate:verify the reconstruction of state administrationpromote and verify assimilation of UNITA organisational units into the new government, armed forces, police and civilian lifeverify and enforcement of the ceasefire provisionscollect and destroy weaponssupport human rights for the population, create civil society, support the creation and functioning of various civil organisationssupport the work of humanitarian organisations, coordinate aid to those in need Number of Hungarian military personnel: 26

HungaryGood relations with Angola economic, educational, military, police, etc.Monitoring the conflict from the 1980s1988 possible Hungarian participation in resolving the conflict mentioned15 May 1991 Hungary gives official notice of its intention to participate in UNAVEM II operations with 15 personnelEnd of 1992 evacuation of the Hungarian Embassy, due to an outbreak of hostilities1993 Embassy reopened, then closed for good in accordance with Govt Decision 3188/1993 part of the Hungarian contingent is withdrawn1993-1999 reduced Hungarian contingent participates in UNAVEM II.; Hungary also participates in UNAVEM III. and MONUA20 March 1999 last Hungarian peace-support personnel leave Angola

SelectionPersonnel were selected by HDF GS Operations Directorate and Personnel DirectorateRequirements: Mid-level EnglishExcellent healthPeace operations experience

Of the 155 00 military personnel 94 individuals and the specialist personnel of the Military Intelligence Bureau were qualified to participate. Therefore diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (as reservist officers) were drafted.The selection process included thorough medical examination and language test (conversation, translation of professional text)

TrainingThe first group was trained at the Budapest installation of the HDF Force Reduction Information and Verification Center. Relief groups were trained by the Peace Support Training Centre in Budapest and Szolnok, with the assistance of military and diplomatic personnel.Experience gained in previous peace saupport operations was utilisedTraining:healthdrivingradio message trafficmapreadingbasic mission tasks ceasefire verification, separation and disarmament of armed groups, organisation ofelectionssurvival skillsUN training on location English test, driving test

EquipmentStandard Hungarian military equipment limited utility (70M field uniform, boots, sleeping bag, sunglasses, duffle bag, etc)Meteriel purchased specifically for the operation better utility (mosquito net, athletic clothing, tropical uniform, etc)Medical kit ration packsEquipment purchased locally by deployed personnel (shoes, boots, other equipment)Equipment was generally suitable clothing service survey, collection ofexperience due to reorganisation and shortage of funds only minimal results

Activities of peace-support personnelRotation, deployment to camps (A, B, C)Classic peace support operation activitiesPatrolling on foot, ground vehicle and helicopterObservation of belligerents, verification , documentation and reporting of their strengthDisarmament of belligerents, collection of weaponsEscorting humanitarian convoys Runnig the parliamentary electionsCoordination, mediation between belligerentsEveryday activities camp management, self-sufficiency (cooking, cleaning, carrying water, washing, etc)

ConclusionsSelection, training and equipment of the Hungarians deployed to Angola (in spite of minor deficiencies) matched those of other European nations. Due to our professionalism and human touch, we were among the top peace support personnel.Experience was not processed adequately, although some of it was used in the Angola mission trainingSome of the knowledge and experience gained in Angola was lost to the HDFIn accordance with international trends, Africas role is becoming more important, due to economic, political, diplomatic and other (humanitarian, migration, etc.) reasons The task is to involve those who participated in the mission and process the Angolan experience, then publish it to the widest possible audience

Questions?THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

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