A Political History of the Civil War in Angola: 1974 - 1990 by W. Martin James

Author:W. Martin James [James, W. Martin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, Treaties, Politics, Practical Politics
ISBN: 9781351534666
Google: sa1yAgAAQBAJ
Goodreads: 14316891
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Published: 2020-05-04T04:00:00+00:00

The Emergence of Constructive Engagement

The United States had taken an active interest in southern Africa since the election of Ronald Reagan in November 1980. South Africa’s aggressiveness and stubbornness can be traced to the U.S. presidential election. In December 1980, Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) had written an article calling for the United States to seek withdrawal of foreign forces from Angola, free democratic elections, and continued nonrecognition of MPLA-PT rule of Angola. In addition, he argued, “… the United States should now throw its considerable moral support behind Savimbi.”41

Two months after his inauguration, President Reagan alerted Capitol Hill of his intention to seek repeal of the Clark Amendment. The Carter administration had sought repeal based on academic or constitutional dogma concerning the right of Congress to limit the foreign policy capability of the presidency. The Reagan administration, on the other hand, had publicly called for support of UNITA and punishment of Cuban involvement in the Third World.

Secretary of State Alexander Haig testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee March 19, 1981, proposing as a “question of principle” that the Clark Amendment be lifted. In April, Dick Clark, no longer a U.S. Senator, wrote a column outlining four reasons why his amendment should be retained. First, the United States would not be able to lure Angola from the Soviet/Cuban orbit. Second, repeal would end hope for a Namibian settlement. Third, repeal would injure relations with all African nations. Finally, repeal would encourage Soviet/Cuban adventurism.42 On May 12, the full Committee on Foreign Affairs voted 19 to 5 to reject the administration’s request with respect to the Clark Amendment.

The next day, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 10 to 2 to repeal the amendment. Once again, the House and Senate took differing positions on assistance to UNITA.43

By October, the Senate version of the foreign aid bill was voted on by the full Senate. The repeal of the Clark Amendment was approved 66 to 29, but House leaders continued their opposition. On December 9, the House considered the foreign aid bill, but a motion to delete the Clark Amendment was not brought to the floor for a vote. Representative Ed Derwinski (R-Ill.) declined to bring the matter to a vote, fearing a negative result. The Senate amendment was never acted upon.

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