DECEMBER 2, 1991
Mr. President,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Last year, when this Assembly considered the policies of apartheid of the Government of South Africa, during its 45th Session, we took some very important decisions. Some of those decisions were by consensus, reflecting our understanding, commitment and desire to enhance the political process which was then gaining a foothold in South Africa. Since then, there have been unquestionable developments both within South Africa and in the international arena relating to the concerted global effort to eradicate apartheid.
The political process which commenced in February 1990 and following the adoption of consensus Declaration on Apartheid and its Destructive Consequences in Southern Africa, in December 1989, has been halting but sustained. The process itself, and related undertakings by the protagonists in South Africa, have gone through often difficult moments marked by delays, setbacks and at times tempered by an atmosphere of distrust.
The repeal of key apartheid legislation by the South African authorities marked a new threshold toward peace and in the evolution of the political process. But positive and remarkable as that undertaking was, its very essence and contribution towards attaining a non-racial South Africa has been continuously clouded by the ongoing political violence in that country. Nevertheless, it is gratifying that anti-apartheid forces in South Africa have remained steadfast to their objectives, and that the National Peace Accord was signed on 14 September. We hope that this Accord will become fully operational and have positive results.
The political ups and downs that have become the embodiment of the process are a clear indication that this process will be fraught with many more turns; some imponderable, and others more discernible as the efforts to prepare a new constitution unfold.
The Secretary-General, in his second report on the progress in the implementation of the United Nations resolution, did warn that the political "process may be relatively lengthy and even vulnerable", and that "it may be affected by the magnitude of the socio-economic inequalities that persist in South Africa and the inadequacy of the measures taken so far to address them effectively". This warning of the Secretary-General, which the Special Committee fully shares, should make us pause and recall our continuing responsibilities towards those fighting for their fundamental human rights and freedoms.
The international community, and particularly this Assembly, have consistently over the last forty years called for the eradication of apartheid. This Assembly has continuously emphasised the importance of realizing that objective through negotiations between the South African authorities and the genuine representatives of the oppressed majority. Today, the General Assembly can take pride in the knowledge that its long-standing call is being adhered to and appears close to being fully implemented, and that its aspirations for a non-racial South Africa are slowly but surely being realized through the concerted efforts of global anti-apartheid groups, the actions of governments and above all the sacrifices and the ongoing efforts by South Africans themselves.
However, there is the imperative need for the international community to remain seized with the question, and to remain vigilant in monitoring the political process. The role of the international community is far from being over. Certainly not, when, in spite of the Peace Accord, persistent violence - basically a product of apartheid - threatens the democratic transformation of the country and poses a threat to the negotiation process. The international community cannot be neutral during the ongoing political process. It has to remain engaged as it has been with the problem for more than 40 years. The ongoing negotiations in South Africa involve, as in most negotiations, two sides. On one side are those who uphold universal United Nations principles and are committed to the evolution of a South Africa which will guarantee all its people the same fundamental freedoms and human rights, irrespective of their race, colour, sex or creed. On the other side are the South African authorities whose origin lies with a discredited political system founded and sustained on repression and racial discrimination. The two parties to the negotiation are neither equal nor morally equivalent and must not be judged as such.
Consequently, it is incumbent on the international community not to abandon its role and obligation to serve as a balancing and supporting element in helping the evolving situation in South Africa.
It is the opinion of the Special Committee that some Member States have been hasty in unilaterally removing their means of pressure on South Africa. We reaffirm the collective responsibility of the international community to continue applying pressure in order to ensure that the broad-based negotiations leading to a new constitutional order, providing for the total eradication of apartheid and the establishment of a non-racial democracy is sustained. Such pressure - an effective political leverage in spite of its often voluntary and selective nature - has yielded great dividends. We must, therefore, maintain the leverage of pressure in every way possible, while giving the requisite assistance to the disadvantaged sector of the South African society.
Distinguished Delegates,
As we embark today on the debate on South Africa, due cognizance must be given to the internal situation in that country as well as other existing realities. The fluidity of the political dynamics there demand that we act in concert and within the provisions set out in the United Nations Declaration, which are receiving broad acceptance in South Africa itself. Our goal must be to give impetus to the full and immediate implementation of the Declaration, to assist in bringing the prevailing climate of violence to an end while enhancing the conditions for free political activity which are necessary for furthering the process of substantive negotiations and keep in mind the guidelines to negotiations spelt out in the Declaration.
Thus, we must encourage the representatives of the people of South Africa to negotiate in good faith by giving full support to the process and through a concerted and phased application of appropriate pressure on the South African regime and assistance to the opponents of apartheid and the disadvantaged sectors of that community.
Distinguished Delegates,
As a response to some of the positive developments inside South Africa, we have recommended the lifting of the academic, cultural and, under some conditions, the sports boycott. Today, and in accordance with the provisions of the UN Declaration, we are at a critical juncture where it has been accepted that certain contacts are becoming useful. Other links with South Africa should only resume according to developments in the country. The next logical step in the political process will be the agreement on transitional arrangements. It is gratifying that both sides in South Africa recognize this necessity. Our contribution to fulfilling this reality, which is an integral component of the process, will be our commitment to maintain appropriate political leverage through restrictive measures until transitional arrangements inspiring general confidence in the administration of the country have been established - and at a later stage, agreement reached on a new non-racial constitution. We do, of course, recognize that this commitment may be altered at the request or recommendation of a transitional South African administration. Of course, the mandatory arms embargo should be retained until a new government is elected in free and fair elections.
Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegates,
I have deliberately dwelt at length on the role of the international community, and on its obligations towards realizing true democracy in South Africa. Since 1962, this Assembly has thrust the responsibility of monitoring developments in South Africa on the Special Committee against Apartheid. The Special Committee has at all times attempted to discharge its duties creditably.
This year, the Special Committee's report which is before you and the draft resolutions will reflect not only the prevailing realities in South Africa, but as always the concerted and coordinated effort to reflect accurately the views and actions of the Member States. Accordingly, the programme of work of the Special Committee for the next year is tailored to respond to the evolving political circumstances in South Africa. The Special Committee is truly entering a critical period. It must sustain its drive as it navigates through this crucial stage of developments. To do so successfully will require the continued cooperation and assistance of this Assembly until the Committee's task is formally declared done.
In its programme of work for 1992, the Special Committee will be guided by a two-track approach, namely, pressure and assistance. Through missions, reports, hearings, seminars and conferences, the Committee will place emphasis on the need for close monitoring of developments in South Africa and for concerted pressure on the authorities and increased assistance to the anti-apartheid forces and the disadvantaged sectors of the society. Issues such as constitution building, human rights, domestic peace, education and training and ways to help address the serious socio-economic inequalities in the country will receive special attention. I do hope, therefore, that the programme of work of the Special Committee will at this critical juncture of the anti-apartheid campaign receive the unanimous support of the Assembly...
Mr. President,
Distinguished Delegates,
The ultimate task we have set for ourselves as Member States in respect of South Africa is to eradicate apartheid. That task is yet to be fulfilled. Though we are close to our objective, can we stop running because the finish line may be in sight? Can we allow ourselves to jeopardise years of efforts and resources now that we are so close to obtaining tangible results? The debate during the next three days should not be one determined by known or perceived differences of opinion. That era is far behind us. Our debate is an opportunity to speak in one voice, to join forces, to retain our consensus that will assist South Africans at this crucial moment of nation-building.
I am sure that these points will be reiterated and expanded upon when this Assembly is addressed by Mr. Nelson Mandela, President of the African National Congress (ANC), and Mr. Clarence Makwetu, President of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC). Their presence here, is a testimony to the high esteem in which the South Africans they represent hold this Assembly and the United Nations system in general, as well as their abiding trust and belief that the United Nations has a continued and vital role to play in the evolving situation in South Africa.
Distinguished Delegates,
It is inevitable that we must all air our respective national views during this debate but let us do so bearing in mind that we all aspire to a common purpose; the speedy eradication of apartheid and the establishment of a non-racial and democratic South Africa through peaceful means. Let us continue to pursue that goal in unity, with determination and then victory would be assured.