patth (Patt Haring) (08/22/89)
Ported from PeaceNET/GreenNET: /* Written 12:02 am Aug 18, 1989 by gn:geonet in cdp:reg.safrica */ /* ---------- "HIDDEN SADF COMMAND STRUCTURE" ---------- */ Subject: HIDDEN SADF COMMAND STRUCTURE From: GEO2:NSC Date: 21-08-89, 16:07:34 To: NAMIBIA Cc: COSATU FROM: NAMIBIA SUPPORT COMMITTEE Namibia: The hidden SAn Command Structure Windhoek, 18 August 1989 - Ambassadors from the Non-Aligned countries have alleged that the South African Defence Force have a thousand officers and soldiers in Namibia, in addition to the 1,500 permitted but confined to base under UN Security Council Resolution 435. The extra thousand are said to form a command structure 'under the cover of providing administrative support to the demobilised SWATF personnel' antil 1 November 1989. This is the finding of a Non-Aligned Movement fact-finding mission that visited Namibia early this month and whose report was released here yesterday. The mission says that the officer corps is also 'allegedly engaged in humanitarian duties' such as teaching and medical services. The ambassadorial delegation, when visiting western Namibia, was told by UNTAG military observers that some 6,000 SADF members, including a complete mechanised battalion transferred from the north, were stationed at Walvis Bay. The report says there is also a sophisticated communication network in touch with the command structures left behind in Namibia. Describing the demobilisation of SWATF as 'superficial', the report reveals that 'a larger part' has remained in the garrisons, particularly in northern Namibia. The delegation was informed that apart from intimidating SWAPO and the general population in the north, some 1,000 ex-SWATF members have been mobilised to provide 'security' to some chiefs and headmen in the north. SOURCE: NAMPA --- Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations patth@sci.ccny.cuny.edu | Information patth@ccnysci.BITNET | Transfer Exchange -=- Every child smiles in the same language. -=-