Angola peace talks delayed

ADDIS ABABA (Reuter) - The start of a second round of talks to end Angola's civil war was delayed yesterday when Unita rebels said they could not reach the Ethiopian capital on time because of the fighting.

Diplomats trying to negotiate a ceasefire between the Angolan government and Unita said the rebels contacted the UN organisers of the talks to say fighting was too intense around their Huambo headquarters, scene of weeks of heavy battles.

UN officials, an Angolan government delegation, and observers from the US, Portugal and Russia kicked their heels in the Ethiopian capital waiting for the Unita delegation.