In Search of Enemies - A CIA Story - John Stockwell

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[234) IN S E ARCH OF ENEMIES
C-47 gunships and 105 mm. howitzers to reverse the FNLA defeats.
Five more C-141 arms flights went from Washington and France to
Kinshasa, destined for Angola, between December 19, 1975 and January
29, 1976. On January 9 we were desperately seeking to repaint
a U.S. Air Force C-130 to deliver to the South Africans, along with
the French helicopters, to ~ncourage them to remain in Angola.
Sensing our defiance, the Senate responded angrily. Senator Tunney
wrote President Ford, threatening to review the budget if the
Angolan activities did not cease. Senator Clark summoned Colby
and Kissinger to answer blunt questions: Were Americans involved
in the conflict? What was our relationship with South Africa? Kissinger
said, among other things, "The Soviet Union must not be
given any opportunity to use military forces for aggressive purposes
without running the risk of conflict with us." His testimony included
several misleading and inaccurate statements. Even in mid-January
the senators did not have complete enough information- the whole
truth-to refute his testimony.
Only after February 9, when the president's signature legalized the
Tunney Amendment, did the CIA acknowledge defeat and begin to
withdraw. The Portuguese commando force was terminated and
some of the IAFEA TURE temporary duty officers were ordered home
from the field. But even then, after February 9, the CIA continued
making arms shipments into Angola, sending twenty-two additional
flights from Kinshasa to the air strip in Gago Coutinho in eastern
Angola, delivering an additional 145,490 pounds of arms and ammunition.
By early February the FNLA had ceased to exist as a viable
fighting force and UNITA was crushed back to Huambo and Silva
Porto. Savimbi came to the COS, Kinshasa, and asked for a clarification
of United States policy and intentions. Should he attempt to
fight for the cities? Or should he revert to guerrilla warfare?
St. Martin asked Savimbi if UNITA might not attempt to reach
an understanding with the MPLA. St. Martin had participated in the
CIA's effort to bring Savimbi back into line in September, when he
had first attempted to open negotiations with the MPLA. Savimbi
replied that he doubted the MPLA would be receptive under the
present circumstances.
St. Martin then relayed Savimbi's query to headquarters. No answer
was available for two full weeks-in February, even after Ford