NSDD 274 United States Policy toward Angola

SHORSSIFIED -2- The two-track - strategy for achieving the objectives established by NSDD 212 has also been reviewed and remains fundamentally valid. However, additional actions are warranted on both tracks to achieve U.S. policy objectives. With regard to negotiations with the MPLA and South Africa: -The U.S. will continue to use all available diplomatic opportunities--including direct contacts with the parties to the Angola/Namibia negotiations--to bring negotiations on Cuban troop withdrawal and Namibian independence to a successful conclusion. -The U.S. will continue to insist on withdrawal of Cuban forces in the context of a settlement. The U.S. will also continue to insist that any initiative for Namibian independence outside the framework of UNSCR 435 meet the test of international acceptability. --With UNITA's interests in mind, the U.S. will actively promote diplomatic initiatives, to include talks on the reopening of the Benguela Railroad, which advance the objective of national reconciliation in Angola. With regard to pressures on the MPLA: --The U.S. will actively seek and implement effective means of increasing pressure on the MPLA to agree to a negotiated settlement. --A review will be conducted in order to ensure that U.S. support for UNITA is: consistent with our overall strategy: i responsive to UNITA's needs; effective in raising the costs incurred by the MPLA regime and its Soviet and Cuban backers; acceptable to key African partners whose support is essential; and sustainable in Congress and with the American public. As a follow-up to the present interagency review, the Department of State shall convene an interagency group to consider feasible and effective means of increasing economic pressures on the MPLA regime and recommend appropriate options to me within one month. Pending completion of that review, the specific economic pressures against the MPLA government set forth in NSDD 212 will remain in force. -The Department of State, together with other appropriate agencies, will explore means of increasing UNITA's stature within UNC SECRET BIFIED