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Angola: President Dos Santos Role in Cuito Cuanavale Battle Highlighted
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Angola Press Agency (Luanda)
25 March 2008
Posted to the web 25 March 2008
Cuito Cuanavale
The commander of the sixth military region, stationed in the south east Kuando Kubango province, lieutenant-general António Valeriano highlighted the wise manner how the Angolan Head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos, defined the strategy for the national army's triumph over the South African Apartheid regime, during the Cuito Cuanavale Battle.
Speaking to ANGOP on the sidelines of the 20th anniversary of Cuito Cuanavale Battle, the lieutenant-general added that "the battle had a good leadership, with the direct participation of the President and Commander-in-chief of the troops, who led wisely the economy, prepared the army staff and the policy for the armed conflict".
According to the officer, who during the battle was the commander of the 25th region, one of the most important regiments of the conflict, President Dos Santos defined a fair policy, which aimed at defending the sovereignty threatened by the South African army.
The strategy was outlined and led by the Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and counted with the help of capable officers and leaders, he added.
Concerning weapons, he referred that at first the Angolan army was inferior compared to the South Africans, but we had determination.
"They did not consider our capacity, they were confident with the G-5 weapon, and with the modern military tanks, thinking that it was enough to defeat the FAPLA forces and occupy Cuito Cuanavale", stressed the senior officer.
According to António Valeriano, this was a bad judgement because the Angolan and Cuban troops were willing to put an end to the conflict and it happened with this battle.
On the other hand, he expressed confidence towards the new perspectives for Cuito Cuanavale district, since the government is engaged in the social and economic development of the region for the benefit of the population who were affected by the armed conflict.
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Lieutenant-general António Valeriano was the commander of the 25th region that stopped the progress of the South African troops to the chief district of Cuito Cuanavale.
The victory of the battle of Cuito Cuavanale is not just a victory for Angola but, looking at it globally, it is a big victory for Africa because it was the beginning of the end of apartheid regime that was a torn in the flesh of all black Africa. It is not enough that Gen. Antonio Valeriano brought this important battle to focus but Angola should make sure that the battle and the situation surrounding it SHOULD NEVER be forgoten by making it very important part of the educational history curriculum in primary and secondary schools in the country... [Read Full Text]
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