HOUSE OKS ENDING ANGOLAN AID BAN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00965R000200720010-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 19, 2012
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: July 11, 1985
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

ST"T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19 :
APP
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WASHINGTON
TIMES
11 July 1985
House ~s ending Angolan aid ban
By Thomas D. Brandt
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
The House last night voted; to end a
1976 ban on U.S. aid to forces seeking to
overthrow Angola's Marxist government,
following by one day a vote to begin mili-
tary aid to anti-communist forces in Cam-
bodia.
The 236-185 vote repealed the 1976
Clark Amendment, which banned aid to
insurgents in Angola. The nation is sup-
ported by more than 20,000 Cuban and a
handful of Soviet troops.
In June the House also voted to resume
sending non-lethal aid to the anti-
communist resistance fighters in Nicara-
gua.
Thken together the three votes signal
new congressional support for a Reagan
administration strategy of providing aid
to insurgencies that oppose communist
governments.
The actions 'Wesday and yesterday
were among a long series of amendments
to a $25.4 billion foreign aid bill to be
spent over 1986 and 1987.
Yesterday's action reflects a 63-34 vote
in the Senate in June to repeal the Clark
Amendment. The Senate also voted to
begin an aid program to Cambodia and to
resume aid to Nicaragua, which Con-
gress stopped last year.
Supporters said repeal of the Clark
Amendment gives President Reagan
flexibility in the struggle to bring about
a peaceful solution to problems of
southern Africa.
But opponents said the deci4ion would
place the United States in league with the
racist government of South Africa, which
provides aid to the same group.
Neither- th House nor Senate have
provided funds for UNITA, the auerr'
rou led b Jonas Savimbi that o ses
the Angolan government but lifting t o
Clark Amendment would allow the CIA
to use its contingency fund.
The Reagan administration has said it
has no immediate plans to aid UNITA.
"We are simply saying that we want to
remove the perception that the Clark
Amendment gives - that we want to
wash our hands of Angola, and for the
opportunity of the people of Angola ever
to enjoy the munificence of freedom and
liberty," said Rep. Claude Pepper, D-Fla.,
a sponsor of the repeal amendment.
The Soviet Union and Cuba have
poured "military equipment and power"
into Angola while the United States has
been able to, do nothing to help pro-
Western forces, he said:
But Rep. William H. Gray, D-Pa., a
member of the congressional black cau-
cus, said repeal would leave the impres-
sion the House is repudiating its vote on
anti-apartheid legislation by appearing
to involve the United States "with an
insurgency supported by South Africa."
The CIA provided secret milita aid
to urm an 1976 in the
midst of the civi war that followed inde-
pendence for the former Portuguese
co ony.
However, Marxist forces seized power
and in early 1976 Congress ended U.S. aid
to UNITA under legislation sponsored by
former Sen. Richard Clark, D-Iowa.
Earlier, the House voted to allow the
president to withhold U.S. funds from a
U.N. population control program as a
means to pressure China into halting
forced abortions and infanticide.
I Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/19: CIA-RDP90-00965R000200720010-3