Freedom Front sounds out NP and CP

PIETERSBURG Aug 19 Sapa

The Freedom Front has been putting out feelers to the National
and Conservative Parties on possible co-operation during the
November local government elections in the Northern Province to
strengthen the electoral corps in the traditional white areas.

This is according to Freedom Front spokesman Johan Willemse,
who, however, said in an interview "co-operation from right-wingers
does not appear to be viable at this stage".

Willemse said the parties would not nominate joint candidates
due to differing principles, but they would not oppose each other
in wards where it was apparent that certain parties would not
obtain a majority.

There was strong speculation of informal co-operation between
parties in other towns in the province and parties in Pietersburg,
Lydenburg, Potgiersrust, Louis Trichardt, Tzaneen, Nylstroom and
Thabazimbi had admitted that they wre canvassing in this respect.

Earlier, provincial NP leader Andre Fourie said in a statement
that the party would not form alliances with other parties. But he
said the NP might not nominate candidates for wards that the party
could not win.

Fourie said this could lead to NP candidates opposing FF
candidates in certain wards.

FF leader Constand Viljoen also rejected official co-operation
at the highest level. But he said he was aware that parties had
agreed to co-operate at grass-roots level in a few cities and towns
in the country.

Deputy CP leader Willie Snyman has also rejected co-operation,
because of what he termed unbridgeable differences on principles.
He said the CP aimed at testing its strength and this would not be
possible if the party entered into co-operation agreements.