“This paper contains the full text of a letter, dated 27 January, 1976 addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations’ by the Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, Ambassador R.F. Botha. There can be no doubt that if Member States, and in particular members of the Security Council, were to have a clear grasp of the fundamental realities of South West Africa and the principles underlying my Government’s approach to the whole issue, they would develop a proper appreciation of the impressive developments which have been achieved and which continue to be achieved in the Territory and a better understanding of South Africa’s objectives. With that object in view, I now wish to deal with some of these fundamentals. In doing so, it is incumbent on me to revert briefly to certain important aspects of the background to this issue so that it can be considered in correct perspective.”
