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

59. Telegram From the Consulate in Cape Town to the Department of State¹

Cape Town, June 9, 1977, 1825Z

945. Subject: Namibia Talks: Botha and Fourie Meet with CG’s UN-based Members. Ref: Cape Town 0943.²

1. United Nations-based members of the Contact Group met at 4 pm Thursday, June 9, with Botha and Fourie to resume UN involvement discussion which had adjourned inconclusively earlier. Murray (UK) noted that we had already given our general views on nature of UN involvement, at which point Botha repeated objections voiced informally that UN must not get into administration of the territory.

2. Murray stated that we could provide some general illustrative points on the UN role, but that specifics awaited development by the UN SYG. We were currently examining UN precedents, recognizing, of course, uniqueness of Namibia. The SYG would have to satisfy himself that:

A. All discriminatory legislation was repealed;

B. Proposed electoral laws and regulations were fair;

C. Nothing impeded that full participation of all Namibians in the political process;

D. There was full freedom of the press, assembly, etc. and that there was equal access to media. (Botha objected strenuously to provision of time for any faction on state-run radio.);

E. There was no intimidation by South African police or military. (Botha said he’d lose his job and that perhaps he should have stayed in Washington, but sighed in resignation when told this essential to lend credibility in light of continued presence of SA military.);

F. The electoral roles and registration are comprehensive and correct;

G. Actual voting and registration were correct and comprehensive; and

H. Actual balloting is secret, free of improper influence, and the results properly counted and certified.

3. There was brief discussion of each point but in the end Botha undertook to discuss the matter with the Prime Minister.

4. Prior to arrival of larger group at 4:45 pm, small group returned to question of political prisoners. Murray reiterated that it would be helpful if SAG did not wait for the establishment of the commission of jurists before releasing some prisoners. Besides creating good will, SAG could help to reduce burden on jurists. Botha took the point but gave no position. On jurists, group thought confusion with Geneva-based ICJ could be eliminated if Namibia group were called something else, e.g., panel of jurists.

5. McHenry recalled that SAG had promised consider favorably Vice President Mondale’s suggestion that South African-held Namibians be returned to Namibia jails. Fourie noted that “Justice” Minister Kruger had publicly stated approval of concept in principle, but facilities not available until completion of new structures. At this point Botha started long recitation that SAG did not want to be criticized for movement of prisoners from modern, clean, ICRC-approved SAG prisons to dirty and inadequate Namibia jails.

6. McHenry suggested that it would be helpful if SAG would provide particulars in its possession on Namibians currently detained or imprisoned, whether holder is SAG or another country. Botha initially suggested that South Africa had provided info last year on Namibians it held, but seemed to back off when told that we had records of requests but no fulfillment. SAG will look into the matter.

Bowdler

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770206–0369. Confidential; Immediate. Sent for information to Bonn, Dar es Salaam, Gaborone, Lagos, London, Lusaka, Ottawa, Maputo, Paris, Pretoria, and USUN.
2. In telegram 943 from Cape Town, June 9, Bowdler reported on the first session of talks on June 9: “With Vorster in attendance, Contact Group and SAG met from 1100 to 1300 today (June 9). CG gained semi-additional details about the SAG’s proposal for an Administrator-General for Namibia, and received copy of enabling legislation that will be introduced tomorrow (June 10). However, remainder of session was unproductive. Vorster tried and failed to get formal backing of the CG for certain of SAG’s plans regarding the Administrator-General, and he balked at notion that the third round of talks should be held in New York or somewhere else than Cape Town.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770206–0354)