University Daily Kansan / Friday, October 3, 1986
7
Measure ends symbolic sanctions
United Press International
JOHANNESBURG — President Reagan's congressional defeat yesterday on his veto of the sanctions
Analysis
bill means South Africa's white rulers will have to start paying in cold cash for their commitment to racial segregation.
Symbolic sanctions are over.
The Republican-dominated Senate voted late yesterday to join the House, which voted Monday, to override Reagan's veto of a sanctions bill. The measure will become a law in 90 days.
The law calls for a ban on all new investment in South Africa and other economic steps to push Pretoria to grant the nation's black majority full political rights.
The United States is just one of 72 countries that have imposed restrictions on trade with South Africa —
OVERRIDE HISTORY
Yesterday's override of President Reagan's vow of sanctions on South Africa was only the sixth in 50 vetoes, but it was the first on a key policy issue.
The first override came in July 1982 when Congress passed over Reagan's objections an act to amend the manufacturing clause of the copyright law.
The most recent override was in
November 1985 on the Public Health Service Act
In 1982, Congress overrode the president on a supplemental appropriation.
A 1983 bill was overridden regarding a land dispute in Lane County, Ore.
In 1984, a bill on water resource research was overridden.
but it is the first to impose punitive economic measures that will hurt.
But South Africa is threatening to hit the pockets of U.S. farmers in retaliation by banning imports of U.S. wheat, which have been expected to top 300,000 tons next year.
"If you rob us of our markets, we have got to look after the interests of our farming community." Foreign Minister Roelof Botha told U.S. reporters before the Senate action.
The South African government refuses to say how badly it thinks the sanctions will hurt. Those figures are classified.
But the foreign minister's last-minute telephone calls to U.S. senators were just one indication of how concerned Pretoria was about the effect of the congressional measures. Before the vote, Botha warned purchases of U.S. grain would be halted if sanctions were
The U.S. State Department said the United States had sold South Africa $22 million worth of grain this year and a substantial amount was shipped to neighboring states.
imposed.
"Up until now, the impact of sanctions really has been just psychological — in terms of business confidence and an indirect impact on jobs," said a sanctions monitoring official at the Foreign Ministry.
Sam van Coller, director of the Iron and Steel Industries Federation, warned that the shift from largely symbolic sanctions to effective punitive measures would be followed around the world.
Important trading partners like the Netherlands, France and Denmark are going to find themselves trailing the U.S. in their opposition to apartheid, something which has never happened before. The U.S. move could force European governments to take a tougher stand.
REAGAN'S STATEMENT
Statement by President Reagan on the Senate override of his veto of South African sanctions;
Today's Senate vote should not be viewed as the final chapter in America's efforts, along with our allies, to address the plight of the people of South Africa. Instead, it underscores that America — and that means all of us — opposes aparthief, a malevolent and archaic system totally alien to our ideals. The debate, which culminated in today's vote, was not whether or not to oppose aparthief but, instead, how best to oppose it and how best to bring freedom to that troubled country.
I deeply regret that Congress has seen fit to override my veto of the Comprehensive anti-Apartheid Act of 1986. Punitive sanctions, I believe, are not the best course of action; they hurt the very people they are intended to help. My hope is that these punitive sanctions do not lead to more violence and more repression. Our administration will nevertheless, implement the law. It must be recognized, however, that this will not solve the serious problems that plague that country. The United States must also move forward with positive measures to encourage peaceful change and advance the cause of democracy in South Africa.
Now is the time for South Africa's government to act with courage and good sense to avert a crisis. Moderate black leaders who are committed to democracy and oppose revolutionary violence are ready to work for peaceful change. They should not be kept waiting. It would be tragic to lose this opportunity to create a truly free society which respects the rights of the majority, the minority, and the individual. There is still time for orderly change and peaceful reform. South Africans of good will, black and white, should seize the moment.
SANCTIONS BILL HIGHLIGHTS
Following are highlights of the South Africa sanctions bill, which takes effect 90 days after enactment:
Financial sanctions
The bill would ban all new public and private sector loans, investments or other extensions of credit with certain important exemptions. Companies would still be permitted to reinvest the profits generated from South African enterprises. In addition, the ban does not cover short-term credits, sales on open accounts and rescheduling of existing debts. Loans and credit for educational, housing or humanitarian purposes are also not covered by the ban.
Import bans
The bill prohibits the import of uranium, coal, textiles, iron, steel, arms, ammunition, military vehicles, agricultural products and food from South Africa. These prohibitions would go into effect immediately with the exception of the uranium, coal and textile bans. The bill transfers the South Africa's sugar import quotas to the Philippines.
The bill also bars any imports from South Africa state-owned companies, either directly or indirectly, through third
countries. Finally, the bill makes permanent the current ban on
the importation of South African gold krugerrand coins.
Bans on exports
the but bans the export of all crude oil, petroleum products and munitions to South Africa. The prohibition on the exports of arms would enact the current international ban on arms exports to South Africa imposed by the United Nations.
The bill prohibits the export of any material, parts, substances and technical data used in connection with any nuclear power plant or other nuclear facility in South Africa.
The bill bars exports of computers, computer software and computer services to the South African military, police and other agencies involved in administering apartheid. This provision was included in the president's recently renewed executive order.
The bill terminates air services agreements now in effect with South Africa, ending landing rights for South African aircraft in the United States. The bill also bars U.S. carriers from providing air transportation to South Africa. (No U.S. carriers now serve South Africa).
Airline transportation
Senate vote pleases King
United Press International
WASHINGTON — The widow of Martin Luther King Jr. heard the name of the martyred civil rights leader invoked in debate and then smiled slightly as the Senate voted yesterday to impose sweeping sanctions against the apartheid government of South Africa.
Corretta Scott King appeared to relax in her front-row seat in the visitors' gallery when it became evident the Senate would overturn President Reagan's veto of sanctions legislation.
She listened intently as Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., described her husband as one of the greatest moral leaders of our country, our time and our generation.
Reminding his colleagues that King had been told to go slow in his quest for justice for black Americans, Kennedy said, "Dr. King's answer then should be our answer today. He said, 'We have
waited long enough. Now, now is the time."
vice President George Bush presided over the vote, the biggest foreign policy defeat of Reagan's presidency.
"Demonstrations of approval or disapproval are not permitted." Bush said before the 78-21 vote was announced. There were none.
There were about 500 people standing in line but were unable to get into the gallery. One line snaked outside the Capitol.
The gallery was filled to capacity for the historic vote. Staffers and guests stood at the rear of the chamber.
Many who waited said they came specifically to watch the historic vote.
Anne Blande of Houston, Texas, was about 20th in line outside the visitors gallery as the vote was in progress.
"I came to see the vote," said Blande, who was in town to attend a
weekend symposium sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus, one of the chief forces behind the sanctions legislation. "I've been standing here for an hour and a half, and here we are standing in the corridor."
Herman Luus of Bloemfontein, South Africa, said it was just a coincidence that he was in Washington on business the same day the Senate was deciding such an important issue for his country.
Cynthia Kamp and Joy Van Elderen, both of Washington, took the afternoon off from their jobs to watch the Senate vote.
"We were active at our school in trying to get it to divest its investments in South Africa," said Van Elderen, who attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich.
At the entrances to other galleries reserved for staff, congressional family members and visiting dignitaries, hopeful Senate-watchers tried various means to con their way inside.
Reaction to bill is mixed in S.Africa
United Press International
Albertina Sisulu, president of the 2 million-member United Democratic Front, said the Senate vote to overturn Reagan's sanctions veto would restore the faith of many blacks in the United States.
JOHANNESBURG — The black president of South Africa's biggest legal opposition movement said the Senate vote yesterday to overturn President Reagan's veto of the sanctions bill was "wonderful." But a white opposition lawmaker said U.S. sanctions produce a "siege economy" in the country.
"That was wonderful," said the 68-year-old dissident leader, whose husband, Walter, is serving a life term with African National Congress president Nelson Mandela for sabotage.
But, Foreign Minister Roelof "Pik" Botha, who lobbed in vain against the Senate action, said the vote was taken on an emotional wave
"The sooner this government is totally isolated, the better it will be for the whole world," she said.
"Everybody is going to be very happy," she said in a reference to South Africa's 24 million majority of disenfranchized blacks. "We think the stubbornness of our government is because they have been leaning on America and Britain.
that could not have been turned back by any government action.
"Other countries cannot solve our problems," he said. "It remains our responsibility to do so ourselves."
Botha said the vote was based on emotional reactions and false perceptions of South Africa.
"I hope from my side that they will leave us alone for a while and let us, as South Africans, give attention to solving our problems with less interference from outside."
Veteran white opposition lawmaker Helen Suzman said while President Pietter Botha was to blame for the move, it would not have any positive effect on the country's political future.
Suzman, an opposition lawmaker since President Botha's white National Party came to power in 1948, said she feared the sanctions decision would drive the government into a corner.
"Without a shadow of a doubt, the American example is going to be emulated by others," she said. "We are over a watershed here. It is one thing to have threats and it is another
"I think Mr. Botha is going to retreat into a siege economy. He is going to put reform behind him now because he will not want to be seen to buckle to foreign pressure," she said after watching a live television screening of the final count.
to have the actual imposition of sanctions."
White church leader Christian Beyers Naude welcomed the decision and said it would encourage European and other nations to strengthen their opposition to apartheid.
Naude, white leader of the South African Council of Churches, which represents more than 10 million Christians of all races, welcomed the Senate vote as an indication of U.S. opposition to apartheid.
whites and, in particular, Botha's government will see this as a warning that real change is essential."
"This is a serious warning for all South Africa and a strong gesture of solidarity for blacks," he said. "In the first instance it will cause further polarization, but I hope that the
He said it was likely to influence other governments to take tougher action against apartheid.
The ultra-conservative Christian Action movement condemned the Senate vote and urged in a telex to President Botha that further steps should be taken to muzzle opposition
In an apparent reference to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a leading advocate of sanctions, the movement said, "Take strong action against those churchmen and others who publicly call for sanctions against South Africa."
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