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LISBON, June 25 (Reuters) - Angola began talks on Tuesday to renegotiate its $1.9 billion debt with Portugal, an issue seen as crucial in drawing investors to the oil-producing African nation as it rebuilds after a 27-year civil war.

Angolan Finance Minister Julio Bessa met his counterpart Manuela Ferreira Leite to launch the debt talks. He told reporters afterwards that initial discussions were "very good".

"What is important is that there is a clear will on the part of Angola and the Portuguese government in normalising relations with Portugal," he said.

Bessa added that Angola's proposal was a package that included a "pardon" of some of the debt. The debt includes money owed Portuguese companies and banks.

The $1.9 billion debt has been an irritant in relations between Portugal and Angola, a Portuguese colony for almost five centuries until independence in 1975.

Angola had been paying off the debt by supplying 20,000 barrels of oil a day to Portugal, but suspended the agreement in 1998.

Bessa said clearing up the debt issue was crucial to attracting investment from Portugal and other countries following the signing of a ceasefire with UNITA rebels in April, which raised hopes of an end to fighting that has claimed an estimated million lives.

"I believe that once we get this issue of the debt behind us, all the conditions are created for Portuguese businessmen to to go Angola," Bessa said.

The Angolan team includes representatives of the National Bank of Angola and the Planning Ministry. They are expected to stay in Lisbon after Bessa leaves on Thursday.

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