World Notes ANGOLA

The governments of Angola, Cuba and South Africa agreed to agree last week. If that sounds like slow progress, it is more than anyone expected when talks first convened in May.

After secret meetings mediated by Chester Crocker, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, on Governors Island in New York harbor, the three nations announced they had signed a document outlining the "principles" under which Cuban and South African troops would be withdrawn from Angola and under which the territory of Namibia, which South Africa controls in defiance of United Nations resolutions, would gain its independence.

Crocker maintained "there is still a lot of hard work to do" before actual timetables for these events are set. But the South African delegate, Neil van Heerden, said he thought "momentum has been established" that will lead to a settlement.