The Angolan government (MPLA) has rejected a UNITA rebel peace initiative. In late October UNITA had issued a peace proposal (via the Internet). Western news reports said the UNITA proposal included a request for a general amnesty. The proposal also said that it wanted a new means of mediation in the peace process. UNITA does not want Portugal, Russia, and the US mediating the peace process. UNITA appears to prefer one that involves internal mediation. The Angolan government said that the peace proposal was unacceptable and UNITA should lay down its arms.