While the churches of the United States have There is another reason, however, and that not been silent on situation in has to do with the fluidity of the situation past months, no formal update has appeared from and our hesitancy to interpret actions which the Office on World Community . This has been may lose their relevance by the next week : Add due to a variety of factors, but two have been to this the time required to build relation- most significant . The first is that news about ships in new administrations in the U .S . govern- southern Africa in general, and and ment, which will be highlighted later in this in particular, has been given wide cov- article, and in the Office of the Commissioner erage by the media . National news programs, for Namibia, where Mr . Martti Ahtisaari has suc- weekly magazines and many daily newspapers have ceeded Sean MacBride . Under such circumstances, chronicled the fast-moving events in that area it is understandable why normal routines are of the world . The second is that church period- slowed down. icals have also reported on relevant material on Namibia, especially when Dr . Robert Marshall A brief summary of events since May, 1976, and Dr . David Preus returned from their visit . provide background for the present situation.

EDWARDF CE C N MAYB~DIRECTO Ry ~ WORLD . . 0010 LUTHRAN RLDMTNISIRIESOMuN 1 U Y 1977

CHURCH ACTIONS

In May, 1976, the Lutheran Council in the constitutional conference in (Turn- U .S .A . and the Johnson Foundation co-convened halle Talks) as an authentic expression of the the Wingspread Conference on Namibia . The re- will of the Namibian people . The Wingspread Con- port of that conference has now been distribu- ference called for the rejection of any deci- ted, primarily by the Johnson Foundation, to sion of the Turnhalle Talks since those who par- over 20,000 persons including leaders in all ticipated in it were not elected representa- branches of the U .S . government, in labor and tives of the Namibian people . Finally, if management positions of major U .S . corporations, did not comply with S .C . Resolu- and in all non-governmental organizations repre- tion 385 in an acceptable manner, the Wing- sented at the United Nations . The Wingspread spread Conference urged the United States to Conference endorsed completely U .N . Security make the judgment that the continued presence Council Resolution 385 of 30 January 1976, of South Africa is a threat to international which calls upon South Africa to withdraw its peace and security and call for a mandatory administration from Namibia ; to release all arms embargo against South Africa. political prisoners, and permit the return of exiles without penalty, so that they may parti- THIS HAS BEEN AND REMAINS THE CONVICTION OF cipate in free elections under United Nations THE LEADERSHIP OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCHES IN THE supervision and control . The Wingspread Confer- U .S .A . AS WELL AS THE LEADERSHIP OF THE VAST ence anticipated that South Africa would con- MAJORITY OF OTHER CHRISTIAN GROUPS, AS INDICA- tinue to promote its illegitimate, puppet-run TED BY THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPHS.

LUTHERAN REAFFIRMATION

On 19 October 1976, the United States vetoed support of the Wingspread recommendations. a draft resolution which would have invoked an arms embargo against South Africa for its non- It is appropriate to mention here that Dr. compliance with S .C . Resolution 385 . The Office Robert Marshall and Dr . iDavid Preus, upon their on World Community protested that action by let- return from fraternal visits to the churches in ter to U .N . Ambassador Scranton and challenged South Africa and Namibia on 6 April 1977, the U .S . to initiate some constructive program stressed the resentment felt by the Namibians of action in behalf of the Namibians rather in Ovamboland because of the presence of the than to simply react negatively to proposals South African army . They also emphasized the offered by others . The letter was affirmed by need for economic reforms . Both agreed that the Executive Committee of Lutheran Council-USA there should be no further investment by U .S. on 16 November and thus went on record again in corporations in South Africa or Namibia .

Namibia Update

ECUMENICAL AFFIRMATION

On 7-11 March 1977, the National Council of mendations at their next meeting . They include: Churches of Christ in the U .S .A . and the United 1. A call for legislation by the U .S . govern- States Catholic Conference convened a consulta- ment to prohibit U .S . firms from further devel- tion on "The Church and Southern Africa" in opment of a nuclear capability by the South which Namibian church leaders took part . The African government. recommendations of that consultation to North 2. Supply resources of people and money to American churches generally coincided with Luth- support the Institute for Social Advancement, eran policies and positions, but in some in- an educational agency designed to serve inside stances expanded on them or addressed new devel- Namibia as a voluntary counterpart to the opments . The responsible units for responding United Nations Institute in Lusaka. to these recommendations will study these recom- 3. Support Namibia ' s claim to Walvis Bay.

SIXTH ASSEMBLY--LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION

At the Dar es Salaam meeting the delegates of the church, churches would publicly and un- addressed southern Africa issues in a variety equivocally reject the existing sys- of ways . Key paragraphs from several resolu- tem." tions follow. (From section on Confessional Integrity-- Southern Africa Resolution) "It is noted by this Assembly that progress has been made in Namibia regarding the fellowship . . .that the LWF continue to seek to establish between the three Lutheran churches there in clarity on the fellowship of all Christians on the decision of the German Evangelical Lutheran the basis of Lutheran theological thinking in- Church to join a United Evangelical Lutheran cluding the practical consequences for a public Church with the expressed understanding that witness of the churches . This clarification the GELC is also willing to take part in merger must reject any biblical argumentation in sup- negotiations . Likewise it is noted that the port of apartheid, whether expressly stated or synod of UELCSA at its meeting just two weeks not, as well as any such argumentation based on ago has resolved to establish a commission to the first article of the creed." actively explore with the other Lutheran church- (From Southern Africa Resolution) es in Southern Africa the possibilities of fur- ther Lutheran unity . Remembering the difficul- "With regard to the Republic of South Africa ties that have attended such moves in the past specifically, it is recommended: and recognizing the ever-present possibility i. that the Assembly call upon its member for new tensions, the Assembly notes the contin- churches to recognize that from the viewpoint uing encouragement from LWF and others that all of Lutheran theology, the present government of who are concerned particularly where hesitation South Africa has consistently violated the might still Zinger, to boldly continue such ef- proper role of government and of law in rela- forts, thereby witnessing to the communion of tion to basic human rights; all races ." ii. that the LWF and its member churches es- (From the Preamble, Southern Africa Resolution) pecially those in Southern Africa and their partner churches overseas publicly support "Under normal circumstances Christians may have those calling for change which will ensure different opinions in political questions . How- universal suffrage ; and ever, political and social systems might become iii. that the member churches avoid anything perverted and oppressive so that to reject them that could give the impression that the church- and to work for change is consistent with the es support racism and injustice ." confession. (From Southern Africa Resolution)

"We especially appeal to our white member "Human rights violations still persist on all churches in southern Africa to recognize that continents . Since we are meeting on African the situation in southern Africa constitutes a soil, we are particularly aware of the suffer- status confessionis . This means that on the ba- ing of human beings on this continent . We are sis of faith and in order to manifest the unity certainly saying nothing new when we express

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our concern and our protest about the continu- of Africa . We have been confronted with ing threat to human dignity and the manifold frightening news also from some independent Af- violations of human rights by the white minor- rican states . We share the shock of world opin- ity in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe . But, ion about the boundless atrocities in Uganda. we cannot keep silent about the fact that a num- We are in the paradoxical situation that public ber of industrialized nations through their advocacy of human rights also provokes retalia- manifold links with South Africa are closely tion against those on whose behalf we would involved with the present system and, there- like to speak . This sad statement applies not fore, bear significant co-responsibility. only to the African continent . We have heard about numerous violations of human rights in "Our advocacy of human rights in Southern Afri- many nations of our earth, which touch the par- ca also obliges us to take an equally emphatic ticipants in our conference ." stand in favour of human dignity in the whole (From Human Rights Resolution)

THE U .S . GOVERNMENT

During the past year the interventions with reflection of the attitudes of the American the U .S . government in behalf of the Namibian people . Unfortunately Mr . Young compared the people have been with two administrations . The struggle for liberation and self-determination stance of the Carter Administration is much in southern Africa too closely with the civil more congenial to the African positions our rights movement in the U .S . and invested too churches have been advocating . There has been much confidence in the willingness of business a change in direction as evidenced by the re- and industry to bring about constructive change. peal of the Byrd Amendment and Vice-president Sharp criticism came from leaders of the libera- Mondale's firm stand against apartheid and for tion movements and from the chairman of the majority rule . Human rights have been opened U .N . Special Committee Against Apartheid, Am- up to public discussion and related to foreign bassador Leslie O . Harriman of Nigeria who policy . From 16-21 May, Andrew Young attended said, "We are not talking about improving the a United Nations sponsored International Confer- lot of Africans . We are talking about liberation . " ence in Support of the Peoples of Zimbabwe and Namibia . He addressed the Conference at the The Conference in Maputo did two things for very time that Mr . Mondale was meeting with Mr. the Zimbabwean and Namibian people . In bibli- Vorster and this made for an awkward situation. cal parlance, it " lengthened the cords and Mr . Young sought to build credibility for the strengthened the stakes " of international sup- United States by emphasizing that in the con- port . Ninety-two nations participated and only text of African policy the Carter Administra- a few western powers expressed reservations tion was not only new, but it was different, about the comprehensive Plan of Action which and that its policies would be a more authentic was adopted by consensus.

U .S . GOVERNMENT "AFRICA TEAM "

International Bulletin of 20 June 1977 to block the Kissinger-CIA strategy in Angola makes the following report: of secretly arming the pro-Western fac- tions." "Richard Moose has replaced Kissinger's appoint- ee, William Schaufele, as Assistant Secretary To this must be added three other names. for Africa . The Washington Post reported Donald McHenry is Ambassador Young ' s Africa June 4 that Moose 'will join the activists deputy . A member of the U .N . delegation, he directly shaping African policy'--Vice-presi- was formerly with the Carnegie Endowment for dent Mondale, U.N. Ambassador Andy Young, depu- International Peace . Mrs . Goler Butcher, an ty national security adviser David Aaron, .and international lawyer, formerly Africa consul- State Department director of policy planning tant to Senator Humphrey and Congressman Diggs, Anthony Lake . 'Aaron, Lake and Moose,' says now heads the Africa division for the Agency the Post, 'are leaders in the younger coterie for International Development . Her deputy is of liberals inside the administration, with Douglas Wachholz, formerly the Director of the close ties to liberals in Congress .' Moose, 45, Southern Africa Project of the Lawyers ' Commit- reportedly worked with Sen . Dick Clark (D-Iowa) tee for Civil Rights Under Law.

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FIVE WESTERN POWERS

As anticipated, the Turnhalle Talks produced government, Turnhalle Talks delegates, Namibian a constitution built on the bantustan system church leaders and, belatedly, the South West and called for an interim administration Africa People ' s Organization . These meetings which would be staffed by appointees of the are still being held but several things seem South African government . Moreover, the army, to be emerging. police, Supreme Court, and communications sys- tem would all be controlled directly by South Mr . Vorster has withdrawn his plan to ap- Africa. point an interim government . He has been told that this is totally unacceptable . He has also In spite of objections from the internation- been told that the constitution from the Turn- al community, South Africa was determined to halle Talks is not acceptable and that SWAPO proceed with this arrangement . In this atmos- must be involved in negotiations leading up to phere, the five western powers currently hold- a new government . While South Africa is said ing seats on the U .N . Security Council (United to have agreed to abandon the Turnhalle consti- States, United Kingdom, France, Federal Repub- tution and interim government, there has been lic of Germany, and Canada) took an initiative little progress, if any, on getting it to which involved meetings with the South African agree to talk to SWAPO.

A CHURCH INITIATIVE

It has been reported in the Windhoek independent government . " (Namibia) Advertiser that Dr . de Vries and Dr. Auala met with SWAPO officials and on the basis Dr . de Vries has emphasized that there can be of their understanding of SWAPO ' s position, no peace as long as the South African army is have joined with the Catholic Bishop Rudolf stationed in Namibia. Koopmann and the Vicar General of the Anglican Church, the Rev . Edward Morrow, in presenting South Africa, however, will not " nego- a plan which they believe will be acceptable tiate " with church leaders, but only to both South Africa and SWAPO . According to with Turnhalle delegates . It is doubtful the Advertiser, the plan contains four main that this initiative will be formally elements as follows: recognized.

"The establishment of a neutral 12-man head com- As this is being written a meeting of the mittee, consisting of six South African-appoint- Executive Committee of SWAPO is taking place in ed representatives and six members of the Unit- Africa. ed Nations Security Council ; the United Na- tions team to include representatives from the The Namibian churches have called for an ex- five Western powers and preferably, the Presi- pansion of their regular meeting with the Fin- dent of the Organization of African Unity. nish and German mission boards to include repre- sentation from North America . That meeting is to "This head body, operating either from South take place 29-31 August . Perhaps by then some Africa or preferably Gaborone, Botswana, could firm recommendations can be made to all who then appoint two co-administrators to take have committed their support to our brothers charge of the administration and preparations and sisters in Namibia and the cause they repre- for elections in . sent.

"The task of the co-administrators would be to It is evident that desperate attempts to reorganize the administration, scrap discrimina- limit violence and arrive at a just and honor- tion, prepare and supervise the elections for a able solution to Namibia ' s independence are be- constituent assembly. ing made by several groups in the repressive atmosphere of injustice and violence which char- "After this assembly had worked out a constitu- acterize the illegal racist regime presently in tion, further elections could be held for an power.

NAMIBIA UPDATE, 31 July 1977, is a publication of Lutheran World Ministries, 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010 . Reprints are available at 8(t each, payment with order . Sections may be quoted without permission .

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