S.A. Take-Over Bid Denied

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30230, 7 September 1963, Page 11

S.A. Take-Over Bid Denied

(N.Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright)

PRETORIA, September 5.

The South African Prime Minister (Dr. Verwoerd) denied in a statement issued tonight that he had made any offer to “annex” or to “take over” the three British High Commission territories of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland.

He said his offer was based on the assumption that the expressed policy of the British Government still held good namely that no change should take place without consultation with the inhabitants of the territories and on the further assumption that this was in accordance with the principle of selfdetermination.

The Prime Minister’s statement said reports that he had made such an offer were the result of “distortion” and

•'wrongful deductions” from a well-meant proposal on how to aid the development of the territories towards political independence and economic prosperity He said that since the question was not primarily a matter for private negotiation, but an offer to all concerned. including more particularly the large number of Africans in the three territories who had the right to know of South Africa's readiness to confer and cooperate with them, he felt compelled to make the offer in a public statement. Dr. Verwoerd said acceptance of his offer could eventually lead to a greater Basutoland, Swaziland and Bechuanaland since consolidation could take place with the adjoining areas of the same ethnic groups from within the Republic of South Africa.

Speaking to the annual congress at his Nationalist Party on Monday, Dr. Ver-

woerd said that “if South Africa were to become the guardian of these territories, we could lead them to independence and economic prosperity fair quicker and more efficiently than Britain. “Britain might be the guide to their political freedom. but she is powerless in respect of their eventual economic freedom. “South Africa has no territorial ambitions for these territories but would under her guidance free them in the same way as she is doing in the Tfanskei.” He said South Africa would accept tlie three territories in her future plan so as to cooperate with them “whether on the basis of a common market or in a political, consultative body.” She would be prepared to “receive them even now as nations with a separate identity.” he said.