U.S. pledge to S.A.

Press, 23 February 1985, Page 11

U.S. pledge to S.A.

NZPA-Reuter Johannesburg The Reagan Administration would do all it could to defeat punitive sanctions designed to harm the South African economy, the United States Ambassador, Mr Herman Nickel, said yesterday. Sanctions aimed at forcing an end to apartheid would slow South African economic growth, cut employment for blacks, and reduce the chances of peaceful change, he told an Afrikaner business group. Congress is considering tough measures to restrict economic links with South Africa, including barring investment in the white-ruled nation and banning Kruger-

rand sales in the United States.

The proposed curbs and disinvestment calls are part of a growing swell of antiapartheid feeling in the United States.

“Let me assure you this evening: the Reagan administration will do all in its power to defeat punitive measures designed to damage the South African economy,” Mr Nickel said. An economic squeeze resulting from sanctions was likely to result in polarisation and raise political tensions, he said. The South African Government announced a concession yesterday in plans for the mass removal of

blacks from townships near Cape Town that have caused rioting in the Crossroads squatter camp and elsewhere. The Government announced a reversal of plans to remove tens of thousands of blacks around Cape Town who have the right of abode. Black opponents of the Government described it as a panic reaction to rioting. The concession applies to about half the 250,000 blacks around Cape Town having the right of abode but does not apply to “Illegals” and squatters who have flooded in from poor tribal homelands without the permits required under apartheid laws.

Many crossroads residents, therefore, remain under threat of resettlement. The climb-down is, nevertheless, likely to ease intense black suspicion of Government motives.

Crossroads was quiet yesterday after 18 blacks died in clashes this week sparked off by fears that removal to a controversial new township at Khayelitsha was imminent.

Outbreaks continued in other townships across South Africa, where black discontent has led to disturbances in the last year in which about 200 people have been killed.