Advice for S.A. press

Press, 25 August 1981, Page 8

Advice for S.A. press

NZPA-Reuter Johannesburg

The chief of the South African security police (Major-General Johan Coetzee) said yesterday that “terrorist” organisations were seeking to turn the country into a “completely restructured Communist republic." But such organisations "have neither the manpower nor the support to sustain their attacks for a continued period of time,” he said. Such movements as the outlawed African National Congress were working for "a complete metamorphosis of South African society — politically. economically, socially and culturally.". • General Coetzee suggested that the best legal method of combatting the “terrorist onslaught” was through educating public opinion to the point of view that “terrorism is an attack on the rights of every inhabitant of the country.” .: In adopting this approach the press should work out “a good balance” between “publishing the facts” and “educating the public,” General Coetzee said.

Alluding to security measures such as detention without trial, he said there was "general consensus that in times of warfare a State was entitled to protect itself by all the means at its disposal.” Meanwhile South Africa yesterday dismissed as “pathetic”. Angolan allegations that it had killed 45 people in air attacks on southern Angola and had troops massed near the Namibian border, ready to attack.- • ’ The accusations were contained in a report by the Angolan News Agency which quoted Angola’s Defence Ministry.