S.A. sanctions ‘not off the boil’

Press, 7 October 1987, Page 10

S.A. sanctions ‘not off the boil’

NZPA correspondent, PETER O’HARA London The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Sir Shridath Ramphal, said yesterday economic sanctions were “not off the boil’’ but the 49nation group would look for other action against South Africa when leaders meet in Vancouver next week. The Commonwealth could, at least for the present, "agree to disagree,” he said in London. Official British sources told reporters last week that the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, would hold firmly to her line of opposing sanctions at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

While acknowledging there would not be agreement on sanctions, he told reporters the leaders would address the situation in southern Africa and pursue several approaches.

“One track will be what more can be done by way of sanctions and otherwise to apply pressure on Pretoria to hasten the end of the evil system of apartheid and the establishment of genuine political freedom,” he said.

He admitted that “a measure of disagreement” on sanctions persists.

“But no one should believe that sanctions are off the boll. Like most of the United States Congress, most Commonwealth countries will reject the view A that

economic sanctions, including disinvestment, have been ineffectual or simply hurt blacks.” Disinvestment was going on “without Governments,” he said. Black South Africa had repeatedly insisted that it wanted an effective sanctions programme, the Secretary-General added.

There would be a resolve to continue on a path towards sanctions but “nevertheless I do hot expect Commonwealth leaders to dwell on differences over sanctions against South Africa. ;

“They can, at least for the present, agree to disagree, as they reach for common ground in other areas of action towards shared objectives in southern Africa.”