U.S. GROUPS ATTACK ADMINISTRATION'S NAMIBIA POLICY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00806R000201060014-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 22, 2010
• Sequence Number: 14
• Publication Date: April 22, 1983
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

STAT
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/22 : CIA-RDP90-00806R000201060014-7
ARTICLE APPEARED WASHINGTON POST
ON pILcE - 7 4-1 - 22 APPIL 1983
T.S. Groups Attach Adrniiiistratioifs!
Namibia Policy
By Lexie Verdon
Wnshutktun Post Foreign bervice
A coalition of 24 U.S. religious, political and
labor groups yesterday assailed the Reagan
administration's policies in the stalled talks to
end South African control of Namibia and said
if the impasse continues the United States
should dismantle some of its -growing ties to
Pretoria.
In a study released during a Capitol Hill
press conference, the coalition criticized the
administration for insisting that Cuban troops
stationed in Angola must be removed before
an accord on Namibia (South-West Africa) can
be reached.
The coalition, which one leader said repre-
sents more than 15 million Americans, includes
the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People, Lutheran World Ministries,
Americans for Democratic Action, American
Federation of State, County and Municipal
Employees, the Congressional Black Caucus,
the National Urban League and the United
Auto Workers. Although many of the groups
have been critical of Reagan administration
policies before, it is believed to be the first
major coordinated effort on Namibia.
The study has three major recommenda-
tions. It urges the administration to end its
insistence on the Cuban withdrawal; to adopt a
firmer position with South Africa, and if the
talks continue to be unsuccessful, move to "dis-
mantle" some of its current ties- to Pretoria;
and if that is not successful, work with the rest
of the Contact. Group to have the United Na-
tions consider sanctions against South Africa.
Angola insists the Cubans are necessary to
thwart South African incursions against Na-
mibian guerrillas, who are based in Angola,
and the issue has become the latest sticking
point in the long-stalled talks among South
Africa, _-tbe African front-line states and the
five-member Western Contact (coup'that in-,
cludes the United States.
Randal Robinson, executive director of
'Transafrica, a black lobby for Africa and the
Caribbean that was among the 24;groups in-
volved in .the study, said the Reagan admin-
istration "has failed, in part l in the talks) be- i
cause of its own recalcitration in putting pres-
sure on South Africa."
As an example, he accused the administra-
tion of having advance -warning of a major
South African invasion of Angola in August.
Robinson gave reporters papers he said were
copies of the daily intelligence briefing from
July 28 showing that U.S. agencies had de-
_tected a buildup of South African forces along
--- ----------
the border and had been told by South African
Foreign Minister Pik Botha that "Pretoria
would feel compelled to launch a large-scale at-
tack if-its deadline of mid-August for complet-
ing" the Namibia talks was not met. '
The -State Department refused to comment
on the intelligence matters Robinson cited. But
a spokesman said the administration is con-
vinced "that its approach offers the best
chance for peaceful change in the region."
Rep. Julian Dixon (D-Calif.). chairman of
the Congressional Black Caucus, announced at
the press conference that the caucus is spon-
soring a resolution endorsing the study's rec-
ommendations.
The coalition also criticized the U.S. policy
of "constructive engagement" or maintaining
good relations with South Africa to influence
its behavior.
"Little that is 'constructive' has resulted
from the 'engagement' with South Africa," the
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/22 : CIA-RDP90-00806R000201060014-7