International S.A. warns guerrillas it may strike again

Press, 8 May 1978, Page 8

International S.A. warns guerrillas it may strike again

NZPA-Reuter Pretoria South Africa yesterday appeared unmoved by United Nations censure of its airborne raid deep inside Angola, and still held out a warning that it might repeat the attack. The Foreign Minister (Mr Pik Botha) in the only official comment after the United Nations Security Council condemned Thursday’s assault, said nothing to modify an earlier military' statement warning of possible renewed action on what Pretoria calls guerilla bases. Troops would have to

act again, said a spokesman, unless South West Africa People’s Organisation guerrillas based in Angola halted their crossborder attacks on the South African-ruled territory. Major-General Jan Geldenhuys, commander of South Africa’s troops in South West Africa (Namibia), backed up the statement by saying it depended on the guerrillas whether there was another raid. Mr Botha said only that the Security Council consideration of the matt e r “constitutes a

reflection on the integrity o. this organisation.” He defended the attack by an estimated 300 to 700 troops as an action against , “terrorists who threatened, killed, and intimidated the people of South West Africa.” Mr Botha said: “If the Western Powers expect South Africa to stand by idly while terrorists are allowed free rein to kill and abduct people, they would in effect act contrary to their own proposals, which clearly and categorically provide for a comprehensive cessation of violence.”