Abstract: | Despite the fact that SWAPO enjoys considerable, if not majority amongst the 'non-white' population as the major historic nationalist movement the General Assembly's recognition of SWAPO's claim to be 'the sole and authentic representative of the Namibian people' (Resolution 31/146 of 1976) has greatly complicated negotiations over the future of the territory. Given the history of the Namibian dispute and the Five's (United States, Britain, France, West Germany and Canada) initiative to resolve it, there seems little hope of an early settlement Equally, the five Western powers are unlikely to abandon their efforts whilst there is a glimmer of hope that they might succeed. Sections: Introductory - South Africa's shifting perspective - Reactions to the Western initiative - The Five's proposals - Pretoria - sponsored elections - New factors - Persisteng South African doubts. Notes. |