UNITED STATES POLICY TOWARD SOUTHERN AFRICA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP93T01142R000100210015-4
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 5, 2011
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: May 7, 1987
• Content Type: MEMO

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CONFIDENTIAL I 'H
HE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
May 7, 1987
MEMORANDUM FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
THE SECRETARY-OF STAT$
THE SECRETARY OF THE''TREASUFY
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
THE CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
THE DIRECTOR, UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY
United States Policy Toward Southern Africa,
NSDD-272 (C)
The President has approved and signed NSDD-272 , establishing
U.S. policy toward SouthernAfrica. In paragraph 1.2, the
President has approved an inambiguous public posture of
opposition to apartheid ascd-supportor a democratic nonracial
system in South Africa. However, as?a practical matter, the
President wishes to avoid counterproductive public demands that
w
ould make it politically 40possible r the South African
Government
meaningful tooappe ar to be taking orders, thereby delaying
FOR THE PRESIDENT:
Frank C. Carlucci
Attachment
NSDD- 272
CONFIDENTIAL WITH
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SECRET SECRET SYSTEM II
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
NATIONAL SECURITY DECISION
DIRECTIVE NUMBER 272
May 7, 1987
UNITED STATES OBJECTIVES `IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (C)
United States policies toward South Africa and Angola have been
based on NSDD 187 of September 7, 1985 (South Africa) and NSDD
212 of February 10, 1986 (Angola).. While the fundamental
objectives set forth in those directives remain valid, U.S.
policies should accommodate new realities in southern Africa and
the United States. In southern Africa, the U.S. seeks:
1. The earliest possible end to apartheid in South Africa
through negotiations leading to the emergence of a democratic and
non-racial South Africa.
1.1 Avoidance and prevention of a scenario in South
Africa of revolutionary violence and expanded
Soviet influencesthrough exploitation of internal
and regional conflict:""?
1.2 Clear and unambiguous American and western alignment
on behalf ofe rinciple of consent of the governed
and the process o negotiation necessary to resolve
South Africa's cr sis; .. nd, !similarly, avoidance of
U.S. alignment-.;in support of specific parties,
individuals, or their constitutional proposals.
1.3 To the extent appropriate and feasible, achievement
of western unity and clarity of commitment to a
genuinely democratic post-apartheid future for South
Africa as a means of strengthening parties committed
to achieving those goals and challenging those not so
committed to reassess their positions.
1.4 Broadened participation in and acceptance by all
South Africans of a-strong market-based economic
system in South Africa. (S)
2. Reduction and elimination (to the greatest possible extent)
of Soviet and Cuban military presence, access, and influence in
Angola and elsewhere in the southern African region.
2.1 Negotiation of an internationally acceptabe-selution
to the Namibian problem based on UNSCR 435 and Cuban
troop withdrawal from Angola.
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2.2 Promotion of political reconciliation in Angola between
the MPLA and UNITA.
2.3 Reduction of soviet and surrpgate opportunities for
e 1
x
build-ups.
2.4 Denial of expanded Soviet and surrogate military
access to regional facilities.
2.5 Prevention of the establishment of Soviet and surrogate
military relationships where they do not now exist. (S)
3. Strengthened public and congressional consensus in support
of U.S. policies in the region.
3.1 Avoidance, if
possible,=sf another round of heightened
domestic controversy ov r southern Africa policy.
3.2 Achievement of a.cons Sps between the executive and
legislative branches n policy toward South Africa
which preserves executive branch flexibility in pursuit
of regional plicy `goakyan avoids new punitive
4. Solidarity with ou western.lilie$s and greater
acceptance/support in Black Africa of our policies in South
Africa, Angola/Namibia, and the rest of the region.
4.1 Coordination of major political and economic
initiatives in U.S. southern African policy with
key all; ?a
r_
f
4.2 Achievement of adequate western burden-sharing and
division of effort in pursuit ref the above goals.
4.3 Maintenance of western,nity not only against
apartheid but--more . importantly--in favor of a
multiparty, non-racial constitutional democracy
achieved through a negotiated settlement.
4.4 Achievement of greater western and African support for
our Angola policy (including recognition that UNITA
has a valid and critical Ole to play in Angolan
reconciliation), together with development of more
effective Western pressure on`the MPLA and its
Soviet/Cuban supporters to turn from their vision of
a military victory to"a'"negotiated political outcome.
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4.5 Avoidance of U.S. isolation on southern African issues
in our alliances, : i. e., denial of opportunities for
Soviet efforts to divide the West.
4.6 Development (together.,
~ th r allies and appropriate
international' arganiza?ions of more effective ways
to address the mounting h man rights abuses,
humanitarian problems and population dislocati
ons
in South Africa, Angola, and the region. (S)
6. Maintenance of reliable western .access to critical mineral
supplies from southern Afri an ev`rcopment of enhanced
alternative sources or ubsitute fo ritical materials,
including appropriate cbntiency `to pile management. (S)
5.1 Deterrence of cross' bor `pr violence including SAG
operations against :its eighbors and guerrilla/
terrorist operati,opns rected at South Africa
from the territores 'ts neighbors. (S)
5. Increased regional stability and emergence of a climate in
southern Africa conducive to: coexistence between the South
African Government and the Front Line States; regional economic
cooperation; and expanded representative government and
market-oriented economic policies in the region.
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