Contents: IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED • UPDATE • COALITION WORK • Update on right-wing initiatives in Congress concerning southern Africa and economic issues in Africa and action needed on each of these issues. The Swindall and Burton amendments to the State Department Authorization Act would prohibit ANC and SWAPO representatives from traveling beyond the immediate vicinity of their U.N. missions. The amendment by Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN) would reduce U.S. funding for U.N. projects "whose primary purpose is to benefit the ANC." The House passed both amendments by voice votes; they need to be opposed in the Senate. An amendment to the trade bill offered by Senator...
Contents: IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED • UPDATE • COALITION WORK • Update on right-wing initiatives in Congress concerning southern Africa and economic issues in Africa and action needed on each of these issues. The Swindall and Burton amendments to the State Department Authorization Act would prohibit ANC and SWAPO representatives from traveling beyond the immediate vicinity of their U.N. missions. The amendment by Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN) would reduce U.S. funding for U.N. projects "whose primary purpose is to benefit the ANC." The House passed both amendments by voice votes; they need to be opposed in the Senate. An amendment to the trade bill offered by Senator Graham suspends Angola's "most favored nation" status. This amendment needs to be struck from the bill during the House - Senate conference. The action alert urges support for Melissa Wells to be confirm as U.S. ambassador to Mozambique. Senators Dole and Helms have promised to filibuster Wells' confirmation unless the Reagan administration agrees to end its support of the Mozambican government and recognize RENAMO/MNR. Economic Development Assistance to Africa should not be cut below the levels set by the Sub-Committee on Africa ($475 million), and SADCC should receive a minimum of $50 million. There may be amendments offered to restrict aid to SADCC nations (Southern African Development Coordination Conference). The action alert urges that U.S. contribution to the International Development Association (IDA) by maintained or increased during Congress' consideration of the eighth replenishment of IDA. (The IDA is the section of the World Bank that makes loans to the poorest African nations.) Senator DeConcini offered an amendment to the Trade Bill that would have banned all trade with Angola, derived from Senator Dole's bill (S.R. 1226) attacking Angola and Cuba. The DeConcini amendment was defeated by a vote of 61 to 38. Letters sent regarding imports of uranium from South Africa and Namibia helped to influence the Treasury Department to rule that South African and Namibian uranium will no longer be allowed into the U.S. for processing and re-export. The 1987 Supplemental Appropriation Bill passed in June provides $50 million for southern Africa: $37 million for SADCC projects and $12.5 million for humanitarian assistance. However, the bill denies funding to SADCC projects in Angola and Mozambique, and the DeConcini amendment calling on the President to ban trade with Angola remains attached to the Supplemental. Senator Larry Pressler's amendment to prevent U.S. aid to SADCC countries that had not condemned terrorism and the practice of necklacing was modified by the Conference Committee; now it reads that only countries which advocate necklacing and terrorism (none do) would be prevented from receiving funds. Senate hearings on the nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court are approaching; civil rights groups are working to ensure his defeat. Congress will soon debate renewed U.S. aid to the contras. TransAfrica opposed aid to both the contras and to UNITA. The document mentions ANC (African National Congress) and SWAPO (South West Africa People's Organization).
