USA and Angola

USA's Position:

• Summer of 1975 USA realised FNLA were not winning
• One option was to do nothing and this would prevent national criticism and avoid MPLA irritation
• Likely outcome: Neto would establish a dominant position and Angola would move towards political left
• Zaire may position themselves more anti-American if they feel America are not interested 
• USA began to question whether Soviet aid was consistent with detente
• November 1975, USA did not regard Angola as a threat to economic or strategic interests
• December 1975, Director of CIA announced there was little difference in groups in Angola- all independent and 'leftists'
• Claimed the reason why USA backed FNLA, replied Soviets were backing MPLA 
• USA covertly supplied military assistance due to Cuban military aid and connections to Soviets
• USA could no longer be covert as it would have aligned with South Africa who were also funding FNLA 
• Black Africa was challenging the last vestiges od white minority rule across the continent 
• Growing international condemnation of apartheid in SA
• Concern:…