[Dear Member of Congress: On October 1, Congressman Claude Pepper (D-Fla.) introduced a bill (H.R.3472) to provide U.S. "humanitarian support" to UNITA…]
[Dear Member of Congress: On October 1, Congressman Claude Pepper (D-Fla.) introduced a bill (H.R.3472) to provide U.S. "humanitarian support" to UNITA…]
Copy of a letter sent to Members of Congress urging them to oppose H.R. 3472 introduced by Congressman Claude Pepper which would provide "humanitarian support" to UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), a South African-supported rebel group which has been fighting to topple and destabilize the government of Angola since 1975. The letter says UNITA was one of three African political movements vying for power during the 1975-1976 Angolan civil war following Angola's independence from Portugal and that during that war, the U.S. through the CIA covertly worked with racist South Africa in support of UNlTA, providing over $25 million in military aid. Following this U.S. foreign...
Copy of a letter sent to Members of Congress urging them to oppose H.R. 3472 introduced by Congressman Claude Pepper which would provide "humanitarian support" to UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), a South African-supported rebel group which has been fighting to topple and destabilize the government of Angola since 1975. The letter says UNITA was one of three African political movements vying for power during the 1975-1976 Angolan civil war following Angola's independence from Portugal and that during that war, the U.S. through the CIA covertly worked with racist South Africa in support of UNlTA, providing over $25 million in military aid. Following this U.S. foreign policy debacle, the Congress in 1976 approved the Clark Amendment which prohibited U.S. covert or overt aid to any rebels fighting in Angola. Then Congress voted last June to repeal the measure, and Angola responded by refusing to participate in any further talks with the U.S. regarding the withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola or Namibia's independence. Passage of Congressman Pepper's bill would be interpreted by Angola, the Frontline States, our allies, and the international community as direct support for UNITA and for the apartheid regime's regional military aggression against and destabilization of Angola, Mozambique and its other neighbors. The letter discusses an Angolan delegation in Washington seeking more U.S. investment; they reportedly stressed a desire by Angola to revive the suspended talks with the U.S. and South Africa regarding Namibia's independence and the withdrawal of Cuban troops.
