Distr.
GENERAL
s/13541

17 September
ORIGINAL:

1979

EMG,LISH

LETTER DATED 17 SEPTEMBERI.979 FROMTHE CHARGED'AFFAIRES 4.1.
OF THE PERMANENTMISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ADDRESSEDTO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
Upon instructions
from my Government, I have the honour to refer to the
letter
dated 13 September 1979 from the Permanent Representative
of Zambia to
Your Excellency
(S/13539),
regarding
alleged acts of aggression said to have
been committed by South Africa against Zambia.
The situation
currently
prevailing
in the South West African/Zambian
border
area can be directly
attributed
to the presence of SWAP0terrorists
on the
Zambian side of the border, where they receive the active support of the Zambian
armed forces.
In fact, on 13 September 1979, it was reported
from Lusaka that
the Zambian 'Foreign Minister,
in the course of a statement on this q~uestion, did
not deny that Zambia allowed the unimpeded use of its territory
by SWAP0
terrorists.
Moreover, the Zsmbian President himself has frequently
in the past
expressed his approval of and support for so-called
liberation
movements to use
his country as a springboard
for attacks on neighbourin&
countries.
On 23 August 1978, there was a savage and unprovoked attack on the town of
Katim Mulilo.
This attack with 122~mm mortars emanated from Zmbian territory
and resulted
in loss of life which could have been much more serious but for
precautions
taken on the South Vest African side of the border.
torture
exists

Attacks such as the above, together with numerous incidents
of murder,
and the abduction of civilians,
are the cause of the situation
which now
on the South !>Jest African/Zambian
border.

South Africa is responsible
for the security
of the peoples of South b!est
Africa and is, therefore,
seriously
concerned that SWAPO's acts of terror
should
not be permitted
to continue.
South Africa re,jects allegations
by Zambia of torture
and harassment Of
civilian
population.
South Africa also wishes to point out that, if Zmibia had
not allowed SWAP0practical
control of part of its territory,
the Zambian
authorities
would have been aware that these acts of torture
and harassment are,
in fact, being perpetrated
by STWAPO
gangs.
I should appreciate
the Security Council.

it

if

this

letter

could be circulated
(Signed)

----79-23603

as a document of

David W. STEWARD
Charge' d'Affaires
a.i.