The report says that, in 1989, the Washington Office on Africa (WOA) will continue its regional approach focused on apartheid destabilization in southern Africa, with three priorities: 1) tougher U.S. sanctions against South Africa; 2) Namibian independence, including monitoring implementation of UN Resolution 435 and advocating for U.S. economic support for an independent Namibia; and 3) stopping U.S. military assistance to the South African-backed UNITA rebels and normalizing relations between Angola and the U.S. Many members of Congress have swallowed Pretoria's propaganda of "reform" and will argue against tougher sanctions. The agreement that has been reached between Angola, Cuba, and...
The report says that, in 1989, the Washington Office on Africa (WOA) will continue its regional approach focused on apartheid destabilization in southern Africa, with three priorities: 1) tougher U.S. sanctions against South Africa; 2) Namibian independence, including monitoring implementation of UN Resolution 435 and advocating for U.S. economic support for an independent Namibia; and 3) stopping U.S. military assistance to the South African-backed UNITA rebels and normalizing relations between Angola and the U.S. Many members of Congress have swallowed Pretoria's propaganda of "reform" and will argue against tougher sanctions. The agreement that has been reached between Angola, Cuba, and South Africa for troop withdrawals from southwestern Africa also will be used to argue against adding to sanctions against Pretoria. The South Africans have begun a public relations campaign aimed at diffusing support for stronger sanctions. This campaign includes actions like releasing some liberation movement leaders with great fanfare, while at the same time quietly (because of its draconian press ban laws) imprisoning thousands of others. The Peace accord between Angola, Cuba and South Africa should begin the withdrawal of South African troops from Namibia and allow the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 435, the internationally approved independence plan for Namibia. If Namibia achieves its independence, the people of Namibia will continue to face the oppressive colonial legacy, tremendous reconstruction needs, and no doubt efforts by South Africa to destabilize the young nation. The U.S. has joined other Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council in calling for a reduction of the internationally approved levels of peace keeping troops designated for Namibia during the campaign and elections period. WOA's work on Angola will focus on stopping further U.S. aid to UNITA and helping create a more favorable climate for normalizing relations between the U.S. and Angola. In Congress, Angola has been used by the right-wing to red-bait other Members of Congress, transforming the struggle of the Angolan government against apartheid aggression into one of communist versus anti-communist. At the beginning of negotiations early last year, Jonas Savimbi, head of the UNITA guerrillas, rushed to the U.S. to plead for additional support. The report mentions the UN Institute for Namibia, President P.W. Botha, the National Party, "ultraconservatives," refugees, and majority rule.
