Luanda - The Angolan government said yesterday the UNITA rebel leader, Dr Jonas Savimbi, had sent a letter to President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, but refused to comment on reports he had asked for an immediate truce. However, UNITA's representative in Lisbon, Mr Rui Oliveira, said no such letter had been sent.
The Angolan government, meanwhile, has welcomed an announcement by the world's biggest diamond producer that it has placed an embargo on the purchase of diamonds from Angola by all its offices. De Beers said the move was to prevent UNITA from financing its war against the Angolan government with the proceeds of diamond sales.