Contents: I. TransAfrica urges passage of the Hamilton Amendment, Section 107 of the Intelligence Authorization Act that would require that Congress debate and approve any U.S. military or paramilitary operations in Angola. Approving this provision would be a first step toward ending U.S. aid to the apartheid-sponsored UNITA forces. The House will vote on this bill soon, when conservative members of Congress are expected not only to vote against the Hamilton Amendment, but to offer a substitute amendment which would explicitly endorse the Reagan administration's assistance to UNITA. Rightwing organizations are trying to portray this upcoming vote as simply another vote against "communist...
Contents: I. TransAfrica urges passage of the Hamilton Amendment, Section 107 of the Intelligence Authorization Act that would require that Congress debate and approve any U.S. military or paramilitary operations in Angola. Approving this provision would be a first step toward ending U.S. aid to the apartheid-sponsored UNITA forces. The House will vote on this bill soon, when conservative members of Congress are expected not only to vote against the Hamilton Amendment, but to offer a substitute amendment which would explicitly endorse the Reagan administration's assistance to UNITA. Rightwing organizations are trying to portray this upcoming vote as simply another vote against "communist expansion" and in support of the "Reagan Doctrine." Immediate action is needed to ensure positive action on the Hamilton Amendment and disrupt the U.S.-South African alliance Against Angola. • II. TransAfrica urges Congress to pass South African sanctions legislation, regardless of Presidential action. On August 15, the Senate approved, by a vote of 84-14, S. 2701, a bill that would impose significant sanctions on South Africa. This measure is not as stringent as H.R. 997, the comprehensive sanctions measure adopted by the House of Representatives; the Senate bill establishes a new minimum standard for federal action against apartheid. Senate and House conferees will meet to reconcile the two bills once Congress reconvenes on September 8. Any Congressional measure will be likely to at least: 1) ban new investment in South Africa, including bank loans; 2) withdraw landing rights for South African aircraft; 3) Prohibit imports of agricultural and textile products, coal, steel, iron, and uranium; 4) ban military cooperation between South Africa and the U.S.; 5) codify and strengthen the provisions contained within President Reagan's executive order (due to expire September 9); and 6) apply to all areas "legally or illegally" occupied by South Africa including the "homelands" and Namibia.
