Sanctions

Press, 5 December 1989, Page 16

Sanctions

Stf,—lhave , jtikt , read your Editorial entitled “Sense From MrsThatcher,"which was serit to me from New Zealand and arrived today. I find it to he a . disturbing distortion of the truths ’/You do; note, correctly, that there are changes in South Africa. However, these changes would not have taken place were it not for the pressure of economic sanctions; 99.9 per cent, of all writers and analysts on the South African situation agree that the sanctions have produced change .in South Africa. Also, without the pressure of sanctions, there is no reason to expect that any of the changes . would have taken place. As far as your comment about sanctions harming Black South Africans, surely Bishop Tutu and other black political and religious leaders are far more reliable sources of information oh., that point They are all unanimoas in their, declaration that- fictions are a vitally important instrument for change — the . alternative is violent revolution-. These same leaders also state that the economic hardships resulting from the sanctions are a small price to pay-for respect and dignity. — Yours, etc., ■ ; PETER L. RILEY, . Rochester, \ ■ * Vermont, U.S.A., ■ X November 20, 1989. «

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