Word: swapo
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...even had a military presence in Angola. Botha went on to say that he hoped the gesture would lead to an end of the bush war that has raged and sputtered for 17 years between South African troops and guerrillas of the South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), which is recognized by the United Nations as the official representative of Namibia. Botha's decision was made more dramatic by the fact that his government had just completed what it called a victorious five-week invasion of Angola in pursuit of SWAPO forces. But the costs...
...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...