Constructive Engagement?

Chester Crocker and American Policy in South Africa, Namibia and Angolia

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Chester Crocker was President Reagan's Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 1981 to 1988. This book presents an analysis of his policy of 'constructive engagement' with South Africa, Namibia and Angola. The policy was ostensibly designed to influence Pretoria away from apartheid. Crocker's priority in South Africa was a Cold War driven policy which would allow Washington to continue its strategically important relationship with Pretoria without the appearance of endorsing apartheid. He was sure of Margaret Thatcher's support. Under the auspices of constructive engagement, Crocker also linked the granting of Namibian independence from South Africa to the removal of Cuban troops from Angola. However, constructive engagement generated hostility towards Washington and Cuba gained credibility. So Crocker largely failed in his anti-communist agenda for the region. The analysis of Crocker's policy in southern Africa has an important relevance to the foreign policy dilemmas of today. Abuse of human rights makes disenfranchised groups vulnerable to terrorist recruitment. This analysis questions whether constructive engagement can provide a bridge between the pursuit of national interest and concern for human rights. The cynicism and myopic globalism of Reagan's constructive engagement with the apartheid government in South Africa is being repeated in America's 'War on terror'. Once again this policy is being used as a diplomatic fig leaf for realpolitik rather than as a vital tool of foreign policy.--Back cover.