Romanian armed forces participated in both the UNAVEM III peacekeeping mission to Angola between 1 June 1995 and 30 May 1997 and the MONUA mission between 5 June 1997 and 20 October 1997 (Ministry of National Defence n.d.; UN 17 June 1997, UNAVEM III; UN 8 Jan. 1999, MONUA).

According to the Website of the Romanian Ministry of National Defence, the Romanian contribution to UNAVEM III consisted of a field hospital stationed in Viana with 40 beds and 108 staff, 758 military peacekeepers in Lubango and 31 persons assigned to command related positions (no location given). Rompres reported that Romania's contribution to UNAVEM II was the third largest among the 32 participating nations and consisted of three rotations of peacekeeping battalions and four of the field hospital (26 May 1997). The attached map, from the Website of the United Nations, sets out the deployment of UNAVEM III peacekeeping forces in Angola as of 1 June 1997, and indicates that Romanian forces were stationed in Luanda, Lobito, Chicuma, N'gove/Galague and Lubango. Rompres reported that the 26th Neagoe Basarab infantry battalion replaced the 2nd Calugareni infantry battalion in Lubango in late 1996 (15 Oct. 1996). The former battalion was reportedly under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ionel Palsoiu, the latter under Colonel Petre Botezatu (IAC 2 April 1996). The 15 October 1996 Rompres report states that the battalion's activities in Lubango included convoy escort, guarding civilian sites including the airport, road repair and other military and medical duties. The Viana field hospital reportedly received the "UN Medal for Peace Services" (Rompres 30 Apr. 1997).

According to the Website of the Romanian Ministry of National Defence, 150 peacekeepers stayed on in Lubango beyond June 1997 to participate in the MONUA mission. The attached map, from the Website of the United Nations, sets out the deployment of MONUA peacekeeping forces in Angola as of 8 January 1999, and indicates that Romanian forces were stationed in Luanda and Saurimo.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Information Access Company (IAC). 2 April 1996. "Romania - Composition of Angola Peacekeeping Battalion." (NEXIS)

Romania. Ministry of National Defence. n.d. "Participation in Peacekeeping Missions." [Internet] http://www.mil.logicnet.ro/6340000e.htm [Accessed 15 Feb. 1999]

Rompres [Bucharest, in English]. 26 May 1997. "Medical Staff's Angola UNAVEM III Mission Ends 20 May." [FBIS-EEU-97-146 26 May 1997/WNC]

_____. 30 April 1997. "Romanian Field Hospital Receives UN Award." [FBIS-AFR-97-120 30 Apr. 1997/WNC]

_____. 15 October 1996. "Dailies View Country's Participation in NATO/UN Mission." [FBIS-EEU-96-208-A 15 Oct. 1996/WNC]

United Nations. 17 June 1997. "UNAVEM III Deployment as of 1 June 1997." [Internet] http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/maps/pk/unavem3.htm [Accessed 15 Feb. 1999]

_____. 11 January 1999. "MONUA Deployment as of 8 January 1999." [Internet] http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/maps/pk/monua.htm [Accessed 15 Feb. 1999]

United Nations. 17 June 1997. "UNAVEM III Deployment as of 1 June 1997." [Internet] http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/maps/pk/unavem3.htm [Accessed 15 Feb. 1999]

_____. 11 January 1999. "MONUA Deployment as of 8 January 1999." [Internet] http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/maps/pk/monua.htm [Accessed 15 Feb. 1999]