56. Letter From President Carter to South African Prime Minister Vorster1
Vice President Mondale has given me a full report on his talks with you at Vienna.2 I believe the talks were useful in clarifying the issues and insuring that we each clearly understand the position of the other. I welcome your support for the British and American effort to pursue a negotiated settlement in Rhodesia.3 A negotiated solution remains the best way to achieve a de-escalation of violence.
On Namibia, I think a process has begun which can lead to an internationally acceptable solution. I will be looking forward to your next meeting in Cape Town with the five Western members of the Security Council.4 I would hope we will receive from you at that time your detailed views on an interim administrative authority, the release of Namibian political prisoners, and plans for the withdrawal of South Africa. I will be following these important discussions closely.
Namibia is one of the most urgent issues in Southern Africa. I welcome the positive steps taken by the South African Government which involve agreement to hold nationwide elections, in which all can participate, including SWAPO, for a constituent assembly to devise [Page 136] a permanent constitution for Namibia. Your willingness to agree to UN participation is also welcome for this is essential to insure international acceptance of the outcome of the electoral process.
The critical point is the nature of the interim civil authority. I note your commitment to an interim authority that draws upon the work of the Turnhalle Conference. I would hope that as you develop your detailed thinking on the nature of an interim administrative authority, you would do so with a view to making it representative of Namibian political forces and impartial as to the election and the constituent assembly and the ultimate permanent government to emerge in Namibia.5
I see no reason why your commitments and those objectives cannot be reconciled. If this can be done, the stage will be set for a prompt, orderly transition in Namibia that will be internationally acceptable and that will contribute to peace, security and stability in Southern Africa.
Progress on Namibia will also provide a positive framework for dealing with other issues of Southern Africa in a constructive and cooperative manner. As Vice President Mondale told you, my government has an enduring commitment to peaceful solutions insuring human dignity for all and full political participation in all of Southern Africa. To be peaceful, change must come promptly. The United States is determined to work together with our European allies and with the concerned African states to shape a congenial international framework for the rapid and progressive transformation of Southern African society and to help protect it from unwarranted outside interference. As the Vice President also indicated, positive action on your part will be openly welcomed by the United States. I hope that your upcoming meetings with the five-nation contact group will make significant progress and open the door to a hopeful future.
Sincerely,
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 18, South Africa: Prime Minister Balthazar Johannes Vorster 3–12/77. No classification marking.↩
- See Documents 158, 276, and 278.↩
- Reference is to the Anglo-American proposal.↩
- The meetings took place June 8–10. See Documents 58–60.↩
- In a June 21 letter to Carter, Vorster gave the South African perspective on discussions with the Contact Group and proposals for Namibian independence. Vorster noted that the South African Government had agreed to the following: the appointment of an Administrator-General to serve as interim authority during the transitional period; the release of South West African detainees and political prisoners, “provided that South West Africans detained in other countries were also released;” the need for the continuation of public services and the maintenance of law and order during the transitional period; and the need for a phased transfer of power. Vorster wrote: “Above all we should guard against the possibility of extremist demands wrecking the chances of a solution which is now in sight. I told the contact Group that if the opportunity were not to be lost there should be no dragging of feet. I for my part envisage the holding of elections for the Constituent Assembly within six months.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 18, South Africa: Prime Minister Balthazar Johannes Vorster, 3–12/77)↩