Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XVI, Southern Africa

50. Memorandum From Jay Katzen of the Vice President’s Staff to Vice President Mondale¹

No. 360–77

Washington, April 8, 1977

SUBJECT

• Vorster’s Reaction to Namibia Demarche

Ambassador Bowdler reports that Prime Minister Vorster was quite irritated with the Namibia demarche made April 7.² He and Foreign Minister Botha were particularly upset over the fifth paragraph of the aide-memoire (full text at Tab A), which Botha characterized as a “veiled threat.”

Vorster was defensive about other points, claiming (erroneously) that this was the first time we had spoken against Turnhalle, although it had been going on for two years, that the UN Secretary General had dropped the ball on talks with South Africa, and that there were no Namibian political prisoners.

Bowdler stressed to Vorster the sincerity of the Western demarche, observing that the proposal was an effort to avoid confrontation in the UN which could have adverse effects for South Africa. Bowdler added that it was not our intention to turn Namibia over to SWAPO, but that all political groups, including SWAPO, should be allowed to participate peacefully in determining Namibia’s future.

Vorster begrudgingly acknowledged South Africa’s willingness to discuss the question, qualifying it by noting that South Africa cannot and will not prescribe for the people of South West Africa (Namibia): “we have not interfered with the Turnhalle Conference and cannot stop its momentum.” Vorster concluded, “Within this framework, I am prepared to enter into discussions with whoever wants to discuss South West Africa in a constructive spirit. It was not necessary to threaten us to come to this point. I shall expect to hear from your government where and when the discussions will take place.” (Interestingly, Vorster did not automatically assume, as had the West, that the talks would take place in Namibia or South Africa. That might be a helpful point should we wish to persuade Vorster to meet you outside South Africa.)

A copy of United Nations Security Council Resolution 385 is at Tab B.³

Tab A

Final Text of Group of Five Démarche to South Africa on Namibia⁴

undated

Following is Final Text of Group of Five Demarche to South Africa on Namibia

A. The Governments of France, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States, in view of their special responsibilities as members of the Security Council of the United Nations, have jointly reviewed the problem of Namibia.

B. The Governments are deeply concerned by the situation in Namibia and agree that progress is urgently required to achieve an internationally acceptable settlement.

C. The Governments believe that a Namibian settlement must be acceptable to the international community. The interim government now being considered by the Turnhalle Conference does not meet the standards of international acceptance and only a final settlement which is based upon the conditions of the Security Council Resolution 385 can obtain international acceptance.

D. The conditions for a settlement in Namibia are contained in Security Council Resolution 385. These conditions include an early exercise by all the inhabitants of Namibia of their right to self-determination through a fully democratic process under the supervision of the United Nations and the peaceful participation of all political groups, including SWAPO, in this process. The Resolution also calls for an end to South Africa’s administration of the territory, release of political prisoners and the return to the territory of Namibians living in exile.

E. The Governments wish to make it clear that in the absence of early South African agreement to pursue a settlement which will meet the foregoing principles and be internationally acceptable, the governments will be obliged to reconsider their previous positions regarding proposals for stern action by the United Nations and will be compelled to examine a new range of measures intended to obtain South African compliance with applicable resolutions of the United Nations Security Council concerning Namibia.

F. It is the view of the Governments that international negotiations under United Nations auspices continue to be the best way to bring the parties to an agreement on how the process to independence should proceed.

G. The Governments note from the South African Government’s reply to the nine countries of the European Community that the South African Government, too, sees virtue in continued discussions. The Governments wish to have the South African Government’s views on how the conditions for an internationally acceptable settlement will be met. The Governments request an early response from the South African Government.

H. The Governments have noted the South African Government’s reference to the United Nations Secretary-General in its response to the nine countries of the European Community and would welcome the South African Government’s views on how his good offices could be used in working towards a settlement.

1. Source: Carter Library, Papers of Walter F. Mondale, Overseas Assignments—Trip Files, 1977–1980, Box 14, Vice President’s Trip to Portugal, Spain, Austria, Yugoslavia and England: Africa—Background [2]. Confidential. Sent for information. Sent through Clift.
2. See Document 49.
3. Tab B is attached but not printed. UN Security Council Resolution 385, adopted unanimously on January 30, 1976, reaffirmed the United Nation’s legal responsibility over Namibia, demanded that South Africa leave Namibia, demanded that South Africa allow for a UN-sponsored election, and called for an end to the policy of Bantustans and the release of all political prisoners.
4. Confidential.