unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/12/89)
NON-ALIGNED NATIONS DEMAND FRESH STEPS FROM U.N. IN NAMIBIA (Reuter Library Report, September 7, 411 words, DATELINE: BELGRADE) Non-aligned nations on Thursday accused South Africa of flagrant violations of the independence plan for Namibia and appealed to the United Nations to step in and put extra pressure on Pretoria. A declaration to be formally adopted by heads of state at the close of their summit described the situation in Namibia as alarming and said South Africa was persistently refusing to respect Security Council resolution 435, the 11-year-old blueprint for the territory's independence. The declaration demanded urgent action from the Security Council to force South Africa to remove elements of its Koevoet counter-insurgency unit now serving with the territory's police. Koevoet members, serving under the authority of South Africa's administrator-general Louis Pienaar, have been repeatedly accused by SWAPO, the main nationalist movement, of intimidating its supporters. The non-aligned document also urged the U.N. to reinforce its UNTAG monitoring force and send extra troops to bring the international contingent, deployed since April, up to full strength. It demanded that U.N. Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar insist on a revision of South African legislation governing the November 6 elections to a constituent assembly, and an extension of the September 15 deadline for voter registration. De Cuellar was also asked to prepare an administrative aid package to help Namibia during the six-month transition period between the election and independence, and to take immediate steps to guarantee the safety of SWAPO leaders. The president of the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), Sam Nujoma, is due to return to Namibia on September 14 after nearly 30 years in exile. Non-aligned nations were urged to contribute funds to help SWAPO in its election campaign and prepare to give an independent Namibia generous aid. During the conference Nujoma expressed confidence in a SWAPO election victory. But African diplomats said they were still afraid South Africa would be able to rig the election, particularly by keeping SWAPO supporters off the electoral roll. "There are a number of things which worry us," one envoy of a southern African Frontline state said. "The main problem seems to be voter registration. As well as seeking help from de Cuellar, non-aligned countries will send their own observers to Namibia during the elections and are likely to hold a meeting of ministers shortly after the elections to review the result. * Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501) --- Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange -=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-