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SV OF: UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim speaking.
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WALDHEIM: "As you know the five western members of the Security Council are trying very hard to contribute to a solution of the problem of Namibia. I don't have to elaborate on this, but here again, a very important role is foreseen for the United Nations-the appointment of a special representative of the Secretary General. And the sending of peace keeping forces of the United Nations for the transition period until free elections gave taken place and the new government, based on majority rule, has been established. I can't tell you whether this effort will succeed. I hope it will, because otherwise we will have again, a continuation, we will have a continuation of the military confrontation between the South African forces and the liberation movements, and continued bloodshed. I hope we can avoid it."




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Background: The United Nations Secretary-General, Kurt Waldheim, yesterday (19 September) described the situation in Southern Africa as "very explosive", but he said he hoped efforts now under way would end the stalemate. Mr. Waldheim was responding to questions at a news conference before the opening of the General Assembly, and in particular, he outlined hopes for Namibia.