U.S. denies presence of fleet off Angola

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34048, 12 January 1976, Page 13

U.S. denies presence of fleet off Angola

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) WASHINGTON, January 11. The United States Defence Department has denied a report in the London Sunday newspaper, the “Observer,” that the United States had recently sent a naval task force to the area off Angola. A departmental official said that the aircraft-carrier Independence, reported in the “Observer” story to have led the task force, was in the Mediterranean and there w’ere no plans for it or other American ships to sail towards Angolan waters.

The official said the Independence was in the Mediterranean last month, is there now and had no plans to leave Mediterranean waters. The “Observer” report said the United States and South Africa were far more deeply committed in Angola than either had admitted. Quoting a secret report prepared for a “reputable international organisation which is unwilling to be named,” it said South Africa had between 4000 and 6000 troops in Angola by midDecember. The report -said the Independence carries 90 F 4 Phantom jets and was armed after November 15 with several

hundred tons of napalm, Sidewinder missiles, and antipersonnel fragmentation bombs in pods. The newspaper said it understood that the Independence took part in a large N.A.T.O. exercise called "Ocean Safari” in November and afterwards docked at Portsmouth, England. It sailed on the night of November 27, accompanied by two frigates, the U.S.S. Bowen and the U.S.S. Ainsworth, and Portsmouth authorities were told the vessels were leaving for the United States. The task force then stopped in the Azores to take on food, supplies and fuel in the first half of December, according to the secret report.

The report was dated December 14 and was the third carried out since early November for the international organisation, the “Observer” said. Detailing the despatch of South African troops, it said a column of 2000 mercenaries equipped with South African Panhard armoured cars crossed first. and were followed on October 23 by between 1000 and 1500 regular troops in a mechanised cavalry column. The second South African regular unit of 1000 to 1500 men was committed on November 15 and equipped with 100 French and Americanmade tanks, and supported by Alouette 111 helicopters. A second full regiment of mechanised cavalry with 2000 to 3000 men was committed in early December. The newspaper said that the report raised several disturbing questions, because it

showed that, despite American accusations that the Soviet Union was stepping up the war, the Americans apparently took the first step. Also, reports from Washington that South Africa was willing to withdraw its 1500 troops and 100 armoured cars would still leave between 3000 and 5000 troops and about 500 armoured vehicles inside Angola.