The Alexandrian Strategic View

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Haig used similar terms when he turned to Latin America, the Administration's other publicized battleground in its struggle against Soviet expansionism. If Cuba did not halt the flow of arms to rebels in El Salvador, Haig warned, pos sible U.S. responses "include consideration of a whole range of American as sets." Cuban and Soviet bloc intervention in Latin America, he contended, is part of a "four-phased operation" that began with "the seizure of Nicaragua," a country whose new government Carter courted but Reagan seemed almost prepared to write off. Said Haig: "Next is El Salvador, to be followed by Honduras and Guatemala ... A hit list, if you will." The next day, Haig slightly backed off his extreme view on Nicaragua, saying there are "a number of very important democratic elements seeking change" there.

The Administration last week continued its policy of downplaying human rights when dealing with anti-Communist regimes. After meeting with Argentina's President-designate, Lieut. General Roberto Viola, Reagan said he looked forward "to efforts by both governments to further our relations." Military aid to Argentina was cut off in 1978 in response to reports of the disappearance of several thousand opponents of the regime. The domestic situation there has improved, and the Administration has asked Congress to repeal the ban.

The U.S. also reacted last week to Cuban and Soviet bloc involvement in Africa. The White House asked Congress to lift the ban on aid to Angolan rebels fighting the Soviet-backed government there, a move that antagonized black African nations, because Angola supports guerrillas in neighboring Namibia righting to break free of white-ruled South Africa. The Administration also suspended food assistance to Marxist Mozambique in retaliation for the expulsion of four American diplomats. The State Department said the eviction was instigated by Cuban intelligence agents.

South Africa also clashed with these same two countries last week, but rather more violently, sending bombers deep into Angola to attack Namibian rebel bases and engaging in its second border clash in a week with Mozambican troops. Despite sympathy between the new U.S. government and South Africa on a number of issues, the Reagan Administration indicated it is not ready to forge closer ties with Pretoria. It emphasized last week that four South African military officials, whose visits to the U.S. have long been severely restricted, had been given visas "inadvertently" for a trip they made to Washington this month. At the same time, the White House quickly squelched a rumor that Prime Minister P.W. Botha would become the first South African leader ever invited to Washington.