Paris to shift S.A. stance

Press, 27 May 1981, Page 8

Paris to shift S.A. stance

NZPA-Reuter Paris The new Socialist leaders of France have given a clear signal that the country's southern African policy is under review. Claude Cheysson, the new Foreign Minister, told delegates at a United Nations conference on sanctions against,. South Africa: “In U.N. negotiations and resolutions in future you will find us at your side in the political and diplomatic spheres.’’ The previous conservative French Government had joined the United States and Britain in staying away from the conference.

The three countries, which vetoed a mandatory sanctions resolution in the United.

Nations Security Council last month, form a Western "contact group’’ with Canada and West Germany. It is trying to negotiate independence for South Africa-ruled SouthWest Africa. Mr Cheysson's statement is certain to raise questions among the other members of the "contact group” about the position of France’s new leaders-- and implies that France might "not join the vetoes of sanctions resolutions in the Security Council.-.,

The United States and Britain have said mandatory sanctions will not help to end South Africa’s racial policy of apartheid nor its rule in neighbouring South-west Africa.