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notably police ill-treatment of Yusufu (which our Acting High Commissioner was instructed firmly to rebut), raised doubts about HMG's sincerity. Yusufu's claim to diplomatic immunity was rejected during committal proceedings.
With three Israelis he has been committed for trial at the Old Bailey, probably in December. Isiaku Ibrahim, a close friend of Dikko, was given leave to enter UK on 22 August, but his stay was restricted to one week because he presented a forged passport with his full, but genuine, one.
A separate brief is being submitted about Sir Roger du Boulay's visit to Lagos, which has been arranged for 12-14 September.
13.
Angola/Namibia
South African withdrawal from Angola is still not completed. Both Angola and South Africa are keen to achieve this and to agree arrangements to extend the military stand-off after withdrawal. But this requires some arrangement drawing SWAPO into the diplomatic process, and Angola requires evidence of further movement towards implementation of SCR 435. Discussions now focus on cessation of hostilities between SWAPO and South Africa which would be linked (but only vaguely) to implementation of 435. SWAPO are proving difficult to pin down and success is by no means certain. Dr Crocker is at present visiting southern Africa to try and smooth out the difficulties over the ceasefire formula, and to resolve disputes between South Africa and Angola over violations of the withdrawal arrangements.
14. South Africa
Elections for Coloured representatives under the new Constitution took place on 22 August; less than 20% of those eligible voted overall and in key areas turn out was less than 10%. Elections for Indian representatives on 28 August registered similar low levels. The results are disappointing for the South African Government and underline the depth of scepticism about the new arrangements amongst the Coloured and Indian communities. The elections were marked by violence and the arrest of numbers of those engaged in organising boycotts. We have avoided comment on the elections themselves, but expressed concern to the South African authorities on 27 August about the arrests and detentions.
On 17 August the United Nations Security Council adopted SCR 554 which condemned the new constitution and the elections, declaring these null and void. The UK and US abstained; others (including France and the Netherlands) voted for. Our vote was consistent with our decision not to adopt a position on the new constitution.
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