HC Deb 01 July 1983 vol 44 cc166-7W
Mr. Proctor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further progress has been made by the five-nation Western Contact Group on the question of independence for South West Africa — Namibia; and what discussions have recently taken place between Her Majesty's Government and representatives of the Government of the Republic of South Africa in this regard.

Mr. Rifkind

The United Nations Secretary-General is currently holding consultations in accordance with Security Council resolution 532, and will report to the Security Council by 31 August. Separate discussions on regional security issues between the United States and Angola are continuing. Progress towards Namibian independence depends in practice on these. We are in close touch with our partners in the Five, the Secretary-General and the parties directly involved, including South Africa.

Mr. Proctor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place in the past 12 months between the five-nation Western Contact Group and representatives of political parties in Namibia, including the South West Africa People's Organisation; if he will list the dates of those meetings and the representatives involved; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rifkind

We and our partners in the Five have regular contact with representatives of Namibian political parties through our embassies in South Africa and elsewhere. We continue to take account of their views and concerns in our efforts to achieve an internationally acceptable settlement in Namibia in accordance with Security Council resolution 435.

In July 1982 the Western Five sent a delegation at official level to Windhoek, to consult the internal parties on the Namibia settlement process. They met:

  • D. Mudge, DTA;
  • Rev. B. Karuaera, SWAPO;
  • J. Pretorius, NP/AKTUR;
  • P. Kalangula, Christian Democratic Action;
  • M. Katjiuongua, South West Africa National Union;
  • K. Abrahams, Namibia Independence Party;
  • J. Kirkpatrick, Federal Party;
  • L. Barnes, Labour Party;
  • S. Bekker, HNP;
  • A. Shipanga, SWAPO-Democrats;
  • I. Kairabeb, New Democratic Coalition;
  • H. Diergaardt, Rehoboth Liberation Front;
  • H. Rohr, Namibia Christian Democratic Party;

In June 1982 senior representatives of the Five met SWAPO President Sam Nujoma in Luanda. In July and August 1982 they met Mr. Nujoma again in New York.

Since then there have been no joint meetings of the Five with representatives of Namibia parties, but British Government representatives have met the following: Mr. Moses Garoeb (SWAPO Administrative Secretary)—9 June, Chief Riruako (President of DTA)—8 October 1982, in London; Mr. Sam Nujoma, 29 November 1982, in Luanda.

Mr. Nujoma called upon my hon. Friend the Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) on 30 September 1982.