CONFIDENTIAL
NAMIBIA
(See also section on National Liberation Movements, page 70 )
Background
We
1. Namibia is a complex problem, legally and politically. regard South Africa's continued occupation of the territory as unlawful, but we accept that it is the de facto administering authority. We do not recognise the UN Council for Namibia as the lawful administration of the territory, nor do we accept SWAPO's claim to be the 'sole and authentic representative' of the Namibian people. We try to avoid taking a provocative line
on these issues. Britain's policy is to work for early independence for Namibia through UN-supervised elections, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 435, and we are working for full implementation of the UN settlement proposals.
General Instructions
2. The delegation should in general seek to avoid political
controversy over Namibia. If, however, it becomes necessary to state a position, the delegation may refer to the UK's involvement,
through the initiative of the Five Western former members of the Security Council (UK, FRG, US, France, Canada), in the active search for an internationally acceptable settlement, and say that we do not regard technical conferences as a proper forum for political discussion. If reference is made to Namibia in draft decisions or resolutions, the delegation should refer for instructions (Mr Laing, FCO, 233-8061).
UN Council for Namibia
3. The UN Council for Namibia automatically have observer status with organs of the General Assembly such as UNCTAD. The Council has sought, with some success, to advance the extent of their
participation in the work of international agencies and conferences including, if they can obtain it, the right to vote. The Council base their request on successive General Assembly resolutions.
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