Russian ‘plans’ for S.A.

Press, 2 September 1981, Page 8

Russian ‘plans’ for S.A.

NZPA • s : Pretoria The South African Defence Minister (General Magnus Malan) yesterday warned the Western world about “Soviet enslavement" and said South Africa’s attack on Angola underlined his nation’s need for self-sufficiency in arms production. "I trust that the Western world has taken note that there is irrefutable proof that, apart from Cubans, there are also Russian officers at the Fapla (Angolan) and S.W.A.P.O. (SouthWest Africa People's Organisation) headquarters.

“Clear evidence was found of their plans for southern Africa and it does not augur well for freedom and the free world," General Malan told guests at a dinner given by an arms manufacturer. Armscor.

The West and the rest of Africa jnust take note of developments in the southern part of the continent. "It has nothing to do with so-called liberation, but it is all about Soviet enslavement," General Malan said.

The presence of about 20,000 Cuban troops in Angola was of constant concern to South Africa, as well as the United States, which has refused recognition of the Marxist Government of Angola until they are withdrawn. General Malan said South Africa’s challenge, to develop new armaments in the face of an arms embargo .had only just begun.

“The total effort that has gone into the establishment of an armaments industry in South Africa and the results achieved since, had the effect that the arms embargo has to a large extent been neutralised," he said.

In 1963 the United Nations Security Council imposed a voluntary arms embargo against South Africa because of the racial segregation policies of its white-minority Government.