Word: swapo
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1980-1989
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...ended the annual deadly rite of the rainy season. Every year, before the heavy summer storms, the South Africans launch punishing raids into southern Angola to pre-empt attacks by the black nationalist guerrillas of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO). And every year, once the rains provide them with foliage cover and vital water supplies, the rebels cross the border into northern Namibia, hoping to bring an end to South Africa's 17-year control of that nation. This year, for the first time. South African troops came into direct confrontation with those of Marxist...
...latest offensive showed just how stagnant and how strenuous the evenly matched tug of war has become. Last August UNITA forces, reportedly supported by South African air strikes, captured the strategic town of Cangamba in southern Angola. During the following two months, SWAPO guerrillas swarmed through northern Namibia. Early last month Pretoria decided to strike back. In a memorable display of ill-timing, the South Africans chose to suggest terms for a trial disengagement in Angola on the same day that they had, according to Angola, killed dozens of civilians in a bombing attack. Their offer was turned down. Several...
Many South Africans are growing restive as each year their government claims to have crippled SWAPO, and each year SWAPO shows it is not crippled. Asked the moderate Rand Daily Mail last week: "What is it all for?" The editorial went on to point out that South African aggression justifies, and even necessitates, the Cuban presence in Angola. The public's concern was increased when government authorities talked of sending tanks and armor into Angola following attacks on aircraft by Soviet-made SAM8 and SAM9 missiles. "The South Africans," says one U.S. diplomat, "have started to ask themselves...
Though both sides are worn down, the fighting drags on. South Africa still refuses to acknowledge, let alone encounter, spokesmen from SWAPO. Even if cease-fire talks could take place, they would not address the trickiest issue in the whole equation: the Cubans. For a breakthrough to occur, says a U.S. diplomat, "there would have to be an awful lot of common sense and logic. So far that has not been the case...
...Black South Africans themselves. Unfortunately, this is apparently what Mr. Conway has done, since nearly every Black leader, liberation organization, and anti-apartheid group in South Africa has unequivocally advocated divestiture of U.S. corporations and banks from South Africa. Many of these groups, including the ANC and SWAPO, have frequently--and recently--sent representatives to Harvard to urge the Harvard community to push for divestiture. Our actions are governed, therefore, not by self-righteousness, but by the constant reassurance of Black South Africans that divestiture is a most effective and desirable tool in ending the oppression of Black South Africans...