Angola peace talks postponed

(First Edition)

LUANDA (AP) - Angola peace talks scheduled for this week were postponed when Jonas Savimbi, the Unita leader, said fierce fighting in central Angola made it impossible for rebel officials to travel across the frontlines, a UN official said yesterday. Government and rebel officials had been scheduled to resume UN-sponsored negotiations today in Addis Ababa. Mr Savimbi said he needed time to confer with Unita delegates who had not yet reported back to the rebel base at Huambo after the first round of talks, said the UN official.

Government military officials refused to comment in detail on progress in the fourth day of their offensive to reach soldiers ringed by Unita rebels holding the hills around Huambo. The Chief of Staff said 2,000 people have been killed and 6,000 injured in Huambo.