Walkout by S.A.

Press, 5 March 1988, Page 1

Walkout by S.A.

NZPA-Reuter New York The South African delegation stalked out of the Security Council yesterday after unleashing one of the bluntest United Nations speeches in recent memory and challenging the startled body to “do your damnedest.”

“We will not bow to your threats or demands,” said the Ambassador, Mr Leslie Manley, at an urgent meeting summoned by African States to condemn Pretoria for its recent crackdown against anti-apartheid organisations.

“We reject your accusations with contempt and invite you to do your damnedest,” Mr Manley said. I

“The hypocrisy which permeates this very discussion is almost comic," he told the 15nation council, dismissing its deliberations as part of a “vindictive vendetta.”

He said the new regulations in his country were neither arbitrary nor repressive and had been grossly exaggerated.

“We will continue to strive to attain a negotiated settlement for the problems facing all South Africans. We will do so while maintaining law and order and vigorously opposing the forces of destruction and violence.

“Neither will we tolerate outside interference in our domestic affairs,” he said.