Senators give Shultz hard time over S.A.

Press, 25 July 1986, Page 6

Senators give Shultz hard time over S.A.

NZPA-Reuter Washington The Reagan Administration has opened a door to possible new American measures against South Africa later this year, but an unimpressed Congress is gearing up for quick passage of what may be a tough sanctions bill. The Secretary of State, Mr George Shultz, on Capitol Hill yesterday, was forced by angry senators to defend Ronald Reagan’s defiant stance against punitive sanctions and failure to announce any new American proposals in his speech on Wednesday. "It was an important, vigorous and principled statement of which we can all be proud,” Mr Shultz told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

But most legislators, including many moderate Republicans who usually support the President, were dismayed at Mr Reagan’s speech, which had been billed as a main review of United States policy. “My God . . . these people are being crushed and we are sitting here with the same kind of

rhetoric,” Senator Joseph Biden (Dem., Delaware) told Mr Shultz, frequently shouting in anger and thumping a table with his fist.

“I am ashamed that this country puts out a policy like this that says nothing . . . nothing ... I am ashamed at the lack of moral backbone to this policy,” Mr Biden said. Mr Shultz, who remained mostly calm under the tough questioning, shot back sharply: “I resent that deeply . . . There is tremendous moral backbone in that policy . . . and has been for many years.” But, still ruling out punitive sanctions, Mr Shultz struck a more conciliatory tone than Mr Reagan had and held out the possibility of some lesser measures in September.

Three Democratic senators, including Edward Kennedy, of Massachusetts, launched a bid to bring a sanctions bill to a Senate vote in the next couple of days by offering an amendment to a pending bill to raise the United States debt ceiling. The move, which Senate aides said, was likely

to be defeated by the Republican majority, would nevertheless be a first test this year on Senate sentiment on sanctions.

The Kennedy amendment includes a ban on bank loans to the private sector, an end to new investment, and a ban on imports of uranium, coal and steel.

Mr Shultz, also offered to meet leaders of the outlawed African National Congress, which is fighting to end white-minority rule in South Africa. An Executive Order imposing limited sanctions, signed by Mr Reagan last year to avert stiffer action by Congress, will expire on September 9. Mr Shultz said Mr Reagan might decide to add new measures, depending on developments. He said that decision would be taken in close consultation with America’s allies, particularly Britain, and would take into account the results of a Commonwealth nations meeting next month and the European Community mission to South Africa by Sir Geoffrey Howe.