VORSTER’S BID FOR DETENTE

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33776, 24 February 1975, Page 13

VORSTER’S BID FOR DETENTE

(N.Z.P.A.Reuter—Copyright) JOHANNESBURG. South Africa has produced the first real evidence that her drive for detente with black States is resulting in diplomatic breakthroughs in West Africa in addition to southern Africa. The evidence has come from the Prime Minister (Mr Vorster) who has confirmed press reports that he and the Foreign Minister (Dr

Hiigard Muller) secretly visited Liberia two weeks ago for talks with President Tolbert.

There had been persistent reports — never categorically denied by South Africa — that Mr Vorster had visited another West African State, the Ivory Coast, late last year for talks with President Houphouet-Boigny, and with the Senegal Head of State Mr Senghor. Political observers in Johannesburg feel that, whatever the truth about the Ivory Coast visit, Mr Vorster’s visit to Liberia has given South Africa the diplomatic break-through in West Africa that the Pretoria Government was belived to have been seeking ardently. Until now, South Africa’s only concrete detente achievements have been in southern Africa, where the apartheid republic’s massive economic wealth and regional political importance could be expected to affect relations with neighbouring States.

The Liberian visit confirms that Mr Vorster’s policy of dialogue and peaceful co-existence across the colour line is beginning to reap rewards in the wider continental context. Observers attach additional importance to the visit because of Liberia’s past record of strong hostility towards apartheid. The black State has also been highly critical of South Africa’s continued rule over So u t h-W est Africa (Namibia). During the 19605, Liberia was one of three countries which took this issue to the International Court of Justice in the Hague in an inconclusive attempt to have the republic’s control over the territory declared illegal. Mr Vorster has told Parliament that he had “a long and fruitful” discussion with President Tolbert, and that he believed wholeheartedly that the visit had been “more than worth while” for South Africa. Mr Vorster told reporters that issues raised during the talks included the SouthWest Africa dispute, South Africa’s policy of creating independent homelands for his African people and the Pretoria Administration’s attitude towards the whiteblack wage gap in the republic. The two leaders also discussed South Africa’s role — along with those of Zambia, Botswana and Tanzania — in promoting the present negotiations aimed at ending the constitutional dispute between Rhodesia’s ruling white minority and black majority.

Mr Vorster gave no details of any further moves towards dialogue with West African States, but said he believed that "the next few months could produce some major developments.” There is press speculation that a State visit may take place shortly between the Ivory Coast and Liberia, and that this could produce significant advances for detente.