S. African, Cuban, Angolan Forces Declare Cease-Fire

South Africa and opposing Cuban and Angolan forces declared a cease-fire today pending more talks on ending the interlocked conflicts in Angola and Namibia.

The three countries also invited the United Nations to start implementing on Nov. 1 its long-delayed plans for the independence of Namibia, a former German colony ruled by South Africa since World War I.

Withdrawal of all Cuban troops from Angola will be part of the deal and the three countries have pledged to agree by Sept. 1 on a timetable for the Cuban pullout, the joint announcement said.

“The agreement . . . provides for a cease-fire, or cessation of hostilities, from the moment of the release of this statement,” Foreign Minister Roelof F. (Pik) Botha told a news conference.

“The cease-fire is now in effect.”

The foreign minister said President Pieter W. Botha sent a message today urgently inviting U.N. Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar to South Africa to discuss implementation of a U.N. blueprint for the independence of Namibia.

The announcement followed U.S.-mediated negotiations between South Africa, Angola and Cuba in Geneva last week.

Botha said that South Africa will begin pulling out its forces from Angola on Wednesday and that the withdrawal will be completed by Sept. 1.

South African troops have been supporting pro-Western UNITA rebels under Jonas Savimbi fighting a 13-year-old civil war against the Angolan government.

In Lisbon, the chief European spokesman for UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola) said the cease-fire does not apply to his organization.

“As far as we’re concerned, the fighting goes on until the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola--the ruling party) at least accepts the principle of negotiations with UNITA,” rebel spokesman Alcides Sakala said.