The mailing says nearly ten years after the first U.S. military and foreign policy debacle in Angola, serious efforts are underway in the administration and Congress to intervene militarily again. The mailing says on October 1 Congressman Claude Pepper introduced H.R. 3472 to provide $27 million in so-called "humanitarian" support for UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola). The mailing says the Reagan Administration is conducting a major policy review to determine whether to resume U.S. military aid to UNITA. The current push by conservatives and cold war forces in the administration and Congress comes amidst reports that Angolan military forces have turned the tide of...
The mailing says nearly ten years after the first U.S. military and foreign policy debacle in Angola, serious efforts are underway in the administration and Congress to intervene militarily again. The mailing says on October 1 Congressman Claude Pepper introduced H.R. 3472 to provide $27 million in so-called "humanitarian" support for UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola). The mailing says the Reagan Administration is conducting a major policy review to determine whether to resume U.S. military aid to UNITA. The current push by conservatives and cold war forces in the administration and Congress comes amidst reports that Angolan military forces have turned the tide of the war against South African-supported UNITA, which has been fighting to topple the MPLA government since 1975. Also, on September 16 South Africa again invaded Angola, this time openly admitting that it did so in support of UNITA. The mailing says U.S. aid to UNITA constitutes direct support for South Africa. The mailing asks people to urge their Congressional representative to oppose Pepper's bill and to urge the leadership and other colleagues in the House and Senate to reject any attempt to provide assistance of any kind to South African-backed UNITA. The mailing asks people to contact David R. Obey, chairman, and other members of the Foreign Operations subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee asking them to oppose Pepper's bill if offered as an amendment to the Foreign Aid Appropriations Act. People also are urged to write to Dante Fascell and other members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee urging that this committee have jurisdiction over any legislation offered to support UNITA and that it schedule hearings. The mailing asks people to urge Lee Hamilton and other members of the House Permanent Committee on Intelligence to oppose any push by the CIA, Pentagon, or the National Security Council to provide covert aid to UNITA. People are asked to write Op-ed pieces for local and national newspapers opposing any U.S. funding for South African-backed rebels in Southern Africa, picket and peacefully demonstrate in front of the local offices of their U.S. Senator and Congressman, and plan teach-ins, sit-ins, and letter-writing parties to Congress.
