31.   Although the Executive Outcomes contract with the Angolan government has ended, UNITA claims mercenaries continue to operate in the country.

32.   An Angolan government of reconciliation is to assume power this month.

33.   An Angolan government statement Friday denied it was using mercenaries.

34.   An Angolan transitional government in which three main guerrilla groups shared power collapsed last August, and a truce was restored in November.

35.   Angola says it has security interests to defend in southwestern Congo where the UNITA rebels have established a rear base to keep up their fight against Angolan government forces.

36.   Angolan government officials could not be reached for comment because of a holiday Thursday.

37.   Angolan government officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

38.   Angolan government sources were not immediately available for comment.

39.   Angolan government troops are also fighting in Congo in support of Congolese President Laurent Kabila against ethnic Tutsi rebels supported by Rwanda and Uganda.

40.   Angolan government troops are backing the Congolese government.