Vorster’s concern

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33113, 2 January 1973, Page 9

Vorster’s concern

< (N.Z .P.A .-Reuter —Copyright) > [JOHANNESBURG, January 1. The South African) Prime Minister (Mr) (Vorster) last night ex- | pressed concern about! [the “almost indecent) ■haste” with which West-! ;ern nations were seeking) {closer links with Com-' munist countries. ! In his New Year radio] {broadcast to whites (he! {broadcast separate messages! {for African, Indians, and! (Coloured) Mr Vorster said:! )“A characteristic of 1972 was! (what one is tempted to de-! I scribe as the almost indecent! (haste with which democratic{ I States vied with each other!

to come to an understanding, and to enter into diplomatic [relations with Communist’ dictatorships. . “It would be foolish to con-’ demn this trend unconditionajally, but when it becomes! i clear that the good will is I {only on one side, and that) !there is, in fact, no change) {of heart on the other, you ’begin to fear for the future." ’ Turning to the United {Nations, Mr Vorster said: “As; it now functions, one cannot: {expect anything worth while.' {lt seems a hopeless task for! Dr Waldheim (the Secretary-; ’!General) to salvage anything! ; I from the wreck after two! Hterms of U Thant's leaderI ship. | “Responsible countries will ’’definitely have to curb the {irresponsible actions of the Afro-Arabians. and will have :{to eliminate the doubie-stan-(dards and the deliberate vio-'

lation of the Charter, if the world body is to have any chance of survival in the long I run.” 1 On his country's dealing I with the United Nations on iScuth-West Africa, which the I world body maintains should Ibe given independence as | Namibia. Mr Vorster said. “Our willingness, and bona .tides, to solve this problem cannot today be questioned If. therefore, there is a bona 'fide desire on their part to 'seek a solution to this pro |blem, they will allow the I Secretary-General to cooperate with us, to lead the 'peoples of South-West Africa • 'on the road of self-deter-jmination and independence, on the basis of the frame 'work stipulated in the agreed portion of the Escher Report." (Mr Alfred Escher is Dr Waldheim's personal representative.)