SOUTHERN AFRICA BRIEFING FOR PFIAB

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83M00914R000300040029-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Sequence Number: 29
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For FMS
Southern Africa Briefing for PFIAB
I. In southern Africa, there is increased political
maneuvering over the Namibia issue. All the parties to
the negotiations will begin gathering in New York next
week to discuss the modalities of a ceasefire and
elections, but the question of a Cuban troop withdrawal
from Angola has emerged as an overriding issue.
South Africa has shown flexibility on many
outstanding issues, but demands a 'Cuban withdrawal
from Angola as a condition for a settlement.
We believe that Angola wants a settlement to end
South African military pressure, but the government
there may be too weak and divided to carry through
on President dos Santos' apparent willingness to
trade withdrawal of at least some Cubans for a
settlement.
The Soviets see important geopolitical benefits
from their continued involvement in Angola, and
various clandestine and diplomatic sources have
reported consistent Soviet efforts to obstruct
settlement efforts.
II. Meanwhile, in Mozambique President Machel's Marxist
regime is shaky, largely because of its inability to
contain a South African-backed insurgent group.
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 Approved For RROMET 007/05/07: CIA-RDP83MOO914R000
Although Machel continues to maintain close ties
with his traditional military suppliers, the Soviet
Union and its allies, he recently has made
overtures to the West, including the US, in the
hope that these countries might rein in Pretoria.