Pacts Signed at U.N. to End Cuban Role in Angola, Give Namibia Independence

Amid a strong undercurrent of threats and barely concealed mistrust, representatives of Angola, Cuba and South Africa signed agreements Thursday intended to end the 13-year Cuban military intervention in Angola and to bring about the independence of Namibia.

While Secretary of State George P. Shultz, Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister Anatoly L. Adamishin and U.N. Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar looked on, the foreign ministers of the three nations affixed their signatures to a two-page document that was the product of eight years of often bitter negotiations. Under the agreement, Namibia would achieve total independence from South Africa by April 1, 1990.

A companion treaty signed by Angola and Cuba provides for the removal by July 1, 1991, of the 50,000 Cuban troops that have supported the Marxist government of Angola since that nation obtained its independence from Portugal in 1975. The troop departure would take place over 27 months, beginning with the withdrawal of 25,000 soldiers by Nov. 1, 1989.

Provides for Noninterference

The agreements also provide for “noninterference” by the nations of southern Africa in each other’s internal affairs--a reference to South African support for rebel Jonas Savimbi’s National Union for the Total Independence of Angola and Angola’s support for the South-West Africa People’s Organization, which has been seeking independence for Namibia.

South Africa has administered Namibia, a former German colony, since World War I--in defiance of a U.N. trusteeship arrangement since 1946.

The celebratory nature of the signing ceremony was marred by the death of Bernt Carlsson, the U.N. administrator of Namibia, who was killed in the crash of a Pan Am Boeing 747 in Scotland on Wednesday.

After the treaties were signed, in the U.N. Social and Economic Council Chamber, Shultz predicted that they would “bring long-awaited peace to southwestern Africa and independence to Namibia.” Under the accord signed by Angola, Cuba and South Africa, Namibia is to become independent on April 1, 1990.

“The regional settlement concluded here today represents a momentous turning point in the history of southern Africa. With the independence of Namibia, Africa’s last colonial question will have been resolved,” the secretary said, presiding from the raised dais at the front of the chamber.

While the United States is not a party to the treaties, Assistant Secretary of State Chester A. Crocker served as the chief mediator, providing the Reagan Administration and Shultz with a diplomatic triumph just one month before the end of President Reagan’s term. In addition, the talks were supported by the Soviet Union, one of Angola’s primary suppliers.

“By signing this agreement, we have decided not to shoot it out; we have decided to talk,” South African Foreign Minister Roelof F. (Pik) Botha said.

Such upbeat comments--and similar statements by the other participants in the ceremony--were balanced, however, by tart remarks calling for strict adherence to the terms of the treaties, reflecting an apparent lack of confidence that the nations in southern Africa will obey the pacts to the letter.

The secretary of state, in remarks that were echoed by the others, called attention to “the heavy responsibility” of Angola, Cuba and South Africa “and . . . the international community to see that the commitments undertaken today are fully and faithfully implemented.”

At the same time, Cuban Foreign Minister Isidoro O. Malmierca laced his remarks with sharp criticism of the United States that brought an angry retort from Shultz.

Malmierca, saying that he anticipated “manipulations and distortions” in the implementation of the treaties, accused the United States of “playing the interfering role which South Africa has formally waived.”

Offering faint praise, he added: “We do not wish to belittle the contradictory and paradoxical mediating efforts made by the government of the United States.”

Shultz said later that “I’m compelled to say I do not appreciate and I do not agree with” many of the remarks made during the ceremony, an apparent reference to the Cuban’s statement.

A senior U.S. official said after the ceremony that Malmierca’s barbed remarks were anticipated and had been made on the instruction of Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

‘Dawning of New Era’

Alfonso Van Dunem, the Angolan foreign minister, said the settlements reflect the “dawning of a new era” in southern Africa and a “turning over of a new leaf in the history of Africa.”

But, while calling for an end to all aid to “the armed bands disturbing our peace”--a reference to the rebel forces--he expressed no interest in reaching a reconciliation with the Savimbi troops, which have been supported by the United States and South Africa.

He did, however, express interest in normalizing diplomatic relations with the United States and expanding trade and American aid, but Crocker said Wednesday at a news conference that while the agreement is “a very important step,” he was unable to predict the future course of U.S.-Angolan ties.