Opening the Door to a Deal

A major obstacle to winning independence for Namibia, the 318,000-sq.-mi. territory that remains under South African control in defiance of international resolutions, has been the continuing presence of 27,000 Cuban troops in neighboring Angola. The topic came up again last week when Chester Crocker, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, met with South Africa's Foreign Minister Roelof F. ("Pik") Botha in the Cape Verde Islands. Crocker reportedly relayed an offer from Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos to cut substantially the number of Cuban troops in Angola if South Africa agrees to withdraw its remaining forces from the country and to comply with U.N. Security Council Resolution 435, which is designed to achieve Namibia's independence.

No one expects a breakthrough soon, but the offer was the first indication that Angola would consider reducing the Cuban force as part of a regional peace package. Meanwhile, South African diplomats said they will meet with Angolan officials this week to discuss the pullout of some 2,000 South African soldiers who are still in Angola. Said Crocker: "We consider these recent developments to be positive and view the door to an overall regional settlement to be open."