NCJ Number
139276
Date Published
1991
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This article reflects upon the nature of the war waged by the U.S., its allies, and South Africa against the front- line States in the region. The authors explore the impact of 10 years of destabilization and unconventional war upon the peoples of Southern Africa and assess the responsibility for the suffering and costs of this war.
Abstract
In addition to the U.S. government, the authors accuse the media, academics, and Congressmen for refusing to deal with the issue despite the accumulating evidence. The article outlines South Africa's intentions in Southern Africa and its strategy to preserve the racial policies of apartheid. In 1980, South Africa mounted a clandestine attack against the front-line states of Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe; this destabilizing attack was the beginning of an all-out unconventional war. The Reagan Doctrine, which initiated a variety of covert operations, proxy wars, counterinsurgencies, and stability operations around the world, provided the framework in which U.S. policy toward South Africa was formulated. The elements of this policy included coercive diplomacy and covert collaboration. The authors summarize two United Nations studies that have described the human and economic consequences of this unconventional war in Southern Africa in terms of damage to the economy, infrastructure, and the social fabric of nations. 83 notes