'We have become good listeners.' (letter from UNTAG members Jim and Diane Lubin stationed in Okakarara, Namibia)

'We have become good listeners' 4 June--This is truly a spectacular country and we've so far seen only a fraction of it. Wildlife is everywhere and driving the 37 kilometres from the house to the office we see baboons, kudu, oryx, hyenas, mircats, lynx and lots and lots of very ugly wart-hogs. All these animals roam the farms which stretch as far as the eye can see.

Our Centre is located in the main town (2,000-3,000 people) of Hereroland. We attended our first political rally on Saturday and were welcomed by everyone. So far we haven't had any major problem in our area, though we anticipate things will get "livelier" once the election campaign proper starts.

I have been designated as District Head UNTAG Okakarara and Diane is the Deputy. That's the extent of the international staff. We have one interpreter/translator, one clerk/typist and a part-time cleaner (all locally recruited). The Centre was a former general store which was in a truly sorry state of disrepair. However, with a cost of paint, white with a blue trim, of course, it looks quite spiffy and we take pride in the UN office in the "bush". Our transport consists of one VW Gold two car and a Toyota Land Cruiser, 4 x 4, for the dirt roads which surround Okakarara. The dust in the town is something to be believed and showering at day's end results in practically blocked drains.

Back to work. I've just found out that because of staff shortages, I have also been designated as the Electoral Supervisor for the Okakarara area. This means that for the next couple of months I shall have to monitor my South-West African counterpart when he registers people to vote to ensure that all who are entitled are registered. So Diane will assume the leadership of our one-person Centre which covers an area roughly 500 by 200 kilometres! Well, we shall try!

As you know from the media, the UN initially got a rought ride here, particularly after 1 April. Now we have managed to convince people that we are not trying to decide their future, but to ensure they can decide it without any intimidation. We have become good listeners.

As yet we have no health problems. We both suffered a little from altitude-acclimatization (headaches, tiredness, etc.) but are not well adjusted. There are mosquitoes, but so far nothing to be concerned about. The water is mainly good and our "farm" has excellent soft spring water.

Well folks, the sun is setting and I'm getting a little cold sitting out here, so I'll sign off. We will keep in touch, but hope you'll understand if it's a little infrequent, particularly in the next few weeks.

22 June--We are busy lecturing to schools, church groups and anyone who will listen, and we will need as much documentary support as possible.

The electoral process is almost upon us: it begins on 3 July. The first step is voter registration and I am the Electoral Supervisor for Hereroland, Diane is Electoral Officer for the Okakarara region (Hereroland West). We will have nine mobile teams out in the "bush". We have surveyed some of the routes the teams will take. Roads are non-existent. At one time, I asked my guide why we had stopped by an old man sitting next to a broken donkey cart. "This is Otjonguvi", said the guide, "one of our registration points". The team is to stay at this particular point for 2 days! Water, food and bedding will have to be carried. They will be in the field for three weeks. Well, I have to close now as I'm off to one of the local schools to give them a chat.