• • p)t, Ne/wile/ne,, >1g , Summer, 1989 Volume 12. No. 2 REPATRIATION PROGRAM FINALLY TO BEGIN The return to Namibia of more than 50,000 refugees, originally scheduled to begin by May 15th, is finally slated to start on June 12th . This repatriation has been "on hold" for several weeks, putting in jeopardy the timetable for the holding of elections which are to lead to Namibian independence. The decision to delay the return of Namibian refugees had been made by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, apparently with the approval of the "Three R Committee," for several reasons. First, the continued campaign of harassment and in- timidation of civilians in the north, led the Commis- sioner to conclude that it "would be unwise to at- tempt to resettle refugees in an atmosphere of terror." A second problem was the continuing delay in the revocation of racist and discriminatory laws . Accor- ding to UN Resolution 435, all such laws were to be off the books before the resettlement process began. The South African appointed Administrator General had refused to comply. Other stumbling blocks, erected by South Africa, in- clude a qualifying of the " blanket amnesty" that had been promised returning refugees, the proposal that Namibian children look forward in hope. Will the dream of in- refugees must produce proof of citizenship, the in- dependence become a reality? sistence that South Africa officials be involved in the processing of refugees, including, perhaps, requiring medical examinations for everyone. On June 6th, in the face of a growing impatience, and a concern that the entire peace process would col- This Issue. lapse, agreement was announced between the UN Special Representative, Martti Ahtisaari and the South • Monitoring the Road to African appointed Administrator General, Louis Pinaar. Freedom : Special Report #2 Limited repeal of racial laws promised • Repatriation Process Begins Some, but not all, of the discriminatory laws will be • Attempted Assassinations of repealed . Specifically revoked are AG 9, AG 27 and Church Leader and Photographer the infamous Terrorism Act, all of which provided for the indefinite and indescriminate detention of Nami- • Koevoet Terrorism Continues in bians. In addition, other laws which prevented public Guise of South West Africa Police gatherings and hindered the formation of opposition • Action Alert - Stop Aid to Unita movements were to be scrapped. (continued on page 3) EA/TM/id "THOSE WHO WEEP AS THEY GO OUT . .. WILL COME BACK SINGING FOR JOY ." It is difficult to imagine the deep emotions that must fill the hearts of our Namibian friends during these days of "homecoming ." Joy, certainly! "The kids are coming home!" was already the cry back on April 1st, when the homecom- ing became only another tragic massacre . But this time the return is to be duly monitored . The UN will be there, along with moms and dads and wives and families! Personal happiness will be coupled with national re- joicing. Planeloads of returning Namibians will be the most tangible sign yet that independence is really coming! Psalm 126 Paraphrased by But in the hearts of Namibians, there must also be feel- Pastor Zephania Kameeta ings of uncertainty, and apprehension, and sadness. When the day comes on which our victory What will the returnee be like? How will family relation- will shine like a torch in the night, ships be rebuilt? Certainly the child who fled into the it will be like a dream. bush at age 13, who has been raised in refugee camps We will laugh and sing for joy. and foreign countries, and who now returns as a Then the other nations will say about us, young adult of 24, will not be the same as was "The Lord did great things for them." remembered, as was imagined, all these years . There Indeed, he is doing great things for us; will have been many changes. Babies have been born that is why we are happy in our suffering. in exile, other people have died, without ever seeing their country again. Lord, break the chains of humiliation and death just as on that glorious morning And how to provide homes and jobs and education when you were raised. for the returning exiles?? Already ' Namibians are being Let those who weep as they sow the seeds asked to open their homes and their hearts, to share of justice and freedom, what little they have so that those who are coming gather the harvest of peace and reconciliation. home will feel welcome. Those who weep as they go out as instruments The "long walk to freedom is not over ." The struggle to of your love build a new nation is just beginning . As is apparent will come back singing with joy, from other stories in this Newsletter, South Africa will as they will witness the disappearance of hate not withdraw graciously . The Namibians will have to and the manifestation of your love in your world. reclaim their country, issue by issue, inch by inch. NAMIBIA NEWSLETTER is published quarterly by National So let us share in their rejoicing! Let us sing hymns of Namibia Concerns (NNC), with funding from the United praise for the return of their loved ones. But let us also Nations Council for Namibia. recommit ourselves to the task . Let us use our energies National Namibia Concerns : Namibia Concerns 915 East 9th Avenue 333 Wartburg Place and resources to help them build a nation where Denver, Colorado 80218 Dubuque, Iowa 52001 justice and freedom reign! (303) 830-2774 (319) 589-0326 FAX (303) 830-2414 FAX (319) 589-0333 National Namibia Concerns is an education/advocacy network working with the Namibian churches for a just independence for the people of Namibia. Executive Director : Solveig Kjeseth, Denver, CO Associate Director : Susan Burchfield, Denver, CO Midwest Coordinator: Ilah Weiblen, Dubuque, IA NNC Board President: Barbara Fullerton, Columbus, OH 2 (continued from page 1) flvkae Neto%:t,e:t.4, Unfortunately left untouched was AG 8, which pro- vides for racially determined "ethnic" administrations under the South African imposed governmental system. Only a month ago, UN spokesman, Cedric Thornberry, had stated that "AG 8 is based entirely on racially discriminatory principles . is unacceptable and must go before the first returnees are repatriated." REPATRIATION Now, however, the UN has compromised, announcing RESETTLEMENT that they would accept the limited repeal of discriminatory laws that directly affected the election RECONSTRUCTION process and leave it to an independent Namibian legislature to "clean up" the rest. "THREE R COMMITTEE" TO A significant element, however, is that the political COORDINATE RESETTLEMENT base for the South African backed DTA party (the Certainly some of the busiest people in Namibia these main opposition to SWAPO) lies in these "ethnic ad- days are members and staff of the "Three R Commit- ministrations." Leaving them intact is a thinly disguised tee!" Charged by the UN High Commissioner for setback for SWAPO. Refugees, with the task of "Repatriation, Resettlement and Reconstruction" for 50,000 to 70,000 refugees Long-awaited amnesty promised is a committee formed by the member churches of In addition to the repeal of discriminatory laws, the the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN). Administrator General agreed to abide by a 1979 agreement with the UN High Commissioner for Functioning as the indigenous partner of the UN, the Refugees that returning exiles would be granted a RRR-Committee is to provide suitable reception blanket amnesty. centers, arrange temporary living accommodations, provide medical care, food, and clothing, and meet Responding to this news, Lutheran Bishop Kleopas educational and spiritual needs for the returning Dumeni said "The issuing of the amnesty is good news, refugees. .a formidable task, indeed. but what we need now is to see the amnesty in prac- tice-to see our sons and daughters arrive peacefully." But Immanuel Dumeni, Coordinator of the Programme, . "Our confidence was boosted," is encouraged (For Bishop Dumeni and his wife, Aino, the return of ex- Dumeni says, "by the positive response of the iles will bring a special joy. Their oldest child, Josiah, churches and the people of Namibia . The immediate disappeared at the time of the Kassinga massacre in offerings of services and money boosted our morale. 1978. It was a year before he could get word to his The success of RRR lies in the Namibian people as a grieving family that he had not been killed. So the whole, not in the hands of a few RRR officers or com- Dumeni's share personally the hope of a safe return mittee members. It is clear that we are involved in a for the exiles .) nationwide program that has impressive backing from the Namibian people." Massive "airlift" planned Namibians will enter the country via several entry Returning refugees will be flown into Namibia at a rate points: refugees will be flown in at Windhoek, Groot- of 1400 per day, six days a week, for six weeks, an fontein and Ondangwa . They will come by truck to undertaking that will strain the energies and facilities Ruacana, Oshikango, Rundu and Katima Mulilo, all of the Three R Committee and the welcoming points along the northern border. From these entry churches. points they will go to various church centers where they will remain until they can be permanently re- settled. NEW ADDRESS FOR COUNCIL OF CHUCHES Among the returnees will be 15,000 children, 3,000 of whom are under 11 years of age . Three locations The Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) has have been identified as special centers where moved to new offices in Katatura . Their address is: children will remain for up to twelve months . Plans are 8521 Mashego Street being made to provide for their schooling with as little Katatura 9000 interruption as possible .