Secretary-General Visits South Africa and Namibia

Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar arrived in South Africa on 22 August for talks with the South African Government in regard to implementation of the United Nations plan for Namibia. In a statement to the press upon arrival in Cape Town, the Secretary-General said, "the UN attaches the highest importance to the Namibia question" and "is determined that the people of the Territory be enabled to exercise their right to self-determination and independence in a free, fair and democratic manner." The visit of the Secretary-General was undertaken in the context of Security Council resolutions 435 (1978) and 532 (1983). On 25 August, Mr. Perez de Cuellar visited Namibia.

R.F. Botha (right), South African Foreign Minister, bidding farewell to Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar (left) at the airport in Cape Town. In the background are Emilio de Olivares (left), Executive Assistant to Secretary-General; and Francois Giuliani (right), Spokesman for the Secretary-General.