SEPTEMBER 4-7, 1991
Mr. Chairman,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
... This forum of Foreign Ministers has in the past been rightly preoccupied with the situation in South Africa. It has made invaluable contributions both to the question of internal developments in South Africa and to the role of the international community in eradicating apartheid. The member states gathered here have gone from your conferences to other international fora - the United Nations in particular - to pursue with vigour the decisions of the Non-Aligned Movement on the question of apartheid, thus giving effect to the policies of Non-Aligned Countries and complementing the work that we in the Special Committee and other bodies of the United Nations endeavour to do in this area.
Today, we all can look back, and feel fulfilled that our efforts to put pressure on South Africa are beginning to yield some positive results. True, we are yet to cross the rubicon of eradicating apartheid, but we are marching onwards towards it. However, this last stretch may be the most difficult and therefore the campaign against apartheid is far from over.
Some observers have been quick to point out that there have been positive developments in South Africa; we neither dispute nor deny that contention. What we argue is that such developments, positive as they are, do not in any way exculpate the international community from its continuing obligation to ensure that a non-racial and democratic constitution and a truly representative government is put in place in South Africa.
The recent repeal of key apartheid legislation by President de Klerk's administration is welcome and represents a step in the right direction. But it must be stressed that such efforts are merely a foundation for further requisite action; they can by no means be construed as an end of themselves. It is for this reason that the Special Committee continues to emphasise continuously the primacy of the outcome of the negotiation process and warns against obstacles that might hinder its early and full realisation...
Since December 1989, the Special Committee has operated on the basis of the UN Consensus Declaration on Apartheid. That Declaration derived its impetus, first, from the call of this Conference of Ministers in 1988, in Nicosia, Cyprus for a Special Session of the UN General Assembly on apartheid; second, it derived its effect from the Harare Declaration of 21 August 1989. Some demands of the UN Declaration have been met by the South African Government but others have not. As such, it cannot be assumed that "profound and irreversible changes" have been reached in South Africa. We in the Special Committee do not see the political situation in South Africa as irreversible, when a democratic constitution leading to free and fair elections and to a representative government has not been put in place.
Being fully aware of the previously held views of this Conference of Ministers on this issue, and in the belief that there are salutary effects in the continued maintenance of various forms of political leverage over South Africa, the Special Committee has consistently stressed the necessity to maintain pressure on South Africa until a new constitution is adopted in that country. It agrees totally with the OAU which in its Abuja statement of June 1991, said, and I quote:
"We further reaffirm the decisive importance of sanctions in moving South Africa forward towards a non-racial democracy and are convinced that it will be necessary to continue to use this form of pressure until the system of apartheid has been ended."
In recognition that there are varying shades of opinion on this issue, may I on behalf of the Special Committee call on this conference to come out with an unequivocal statement reaffirming the need for the maintenance of appropriate pressure on South Africa. The argument that the de Klerk regime ought to be rewarded may seem attractive and with merit to some, but so does the argument that those long disenfranchised by apartheid are yet to find a concrete fulfilment in the ongoing changes. The South African government has an abiding obligation to inspire trust, confidence, as well as hope in all its citizens; such a process can be pursued and attained only through an impartial engagement in good faith negotiations regarding the drafting of a new constitution for South Africa.
As the process of change unfolds, the Special Committee will be reviewing the issue of the necessary pressure that would be applied though the various stages of the process. We shall also articulate and pursue a programme of assistance to the victims of apartheid. We will nevertheless ask of Governments, all anti-apartheid forces and particularly eminent bodies such as this Conference of Ministers, to speak out loudly in favour of sustained pressure; in favour of a concerted negotiated process and in favour of putting into effect a new non-racial and democratic constitution in South Africa. South Africans, both black and white, have shown an inclination towards peacefully resolving the apartheid question through a negotiated and constitutional means. But we all know too well that there are retrogressive forces working against such desires. Our commitment should be to see that such forces do not prevail.
The road ahead to a non-racial and democratic South Africa is winding and uneven - and so will be the political processes towards its attainment. With hope, vision, courage and selflessness, South Africans can carve a dignified niche for themselves. Our obligation is to assist them in the attainment of the victory that must come as a result of their struggle, i.e. lasting peace; equality, justice and liberty for all.