Anti. Movement

Anti.Apartheid Movement 13 Mandela Street NW1 0DW Tel 01-387 7966 Facsimile 01-388 0173 President Most Revd Trevor Huddleston CR Vice Presidents Sir Hugh Casson KCVO Jack Jones CH Joan Lestor MP Rt Hon David Steel MP JMerle Amory Ray Buckton Julie Christie Jery Dammenrs Basl Davidson rofessor Dorothy Hodgkin OM -m Morris Usfydd Elk Thomas MP Pauline Webb IU Rewd Wilfred Wood 7U AnI-Aparheid MovementI b In Conurdlape Status with *eM Ecoomic and Sc Council (ECOSOC) ofdi thed Nations Rt Hon Douglas Hurd CBE, MP The Secretary of State Foreign and Commonwealth Office Downing Street London SWlA 2AH September 8th 1992 Dear Mr Hurd, I am writing concerning the unprovoked killing of peaceful protestors at Bisho yesterday. It was a tragedy which has profound implications for the future of South Africa. I was, therefore, encouraged by your prompt action in condemning the killings and by your appeal tp the South African government t- ensure effective eontrol over the Ciskei forces. It is of special concern that this massacre should have taken place so soon after your visit to South Africa at the head of the "Troika" mission of European Community Foreign Ministers and when the United Nations is preparing to send a team of observers to South Africa. Clearly those responsible have failed to appreciate the growing concern within the internationalcommunity about the escalating crisis within South Africa. As I am sure you will agree, the primary responsibility for the massacre must rest with the South African government. The Ciskei, and other , were created by the National Party government in defiance of the expressed will of the international community and have never received any form of international recognition. Nor have they been seen as enjoying any legitimacy by the great majority of those who have been deemed to be citizens of the bantustans. In the case of the Ciskei, the responsibility is even clearer since the South African government took over the direct adminstration of the key functions of government last year. The Ciskei Defence Force is commanded by officers of the SADF and has been armed, equipped and trained by the SADF. I am sure you will also have read recent press reports of the role of the SADF in seeking to manipulate the Ciskei rulers. Moreover, the South African government has sought to build up the credibility of the bantustans in the mistaken view that the National Party and certain leaders can form an alliance which can prevent the adoption of a fully FOR FREEOOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA democratic constitution. It insisted at CODESA on entrenched clauses in any interim constitution which would have guaranteed the continued existence of the bantustans, albeit in an amended form. The conference, convened by President de Klerk yesterday, further contributed to this process. My main purpose in writing is to urge you to consider how the British government can act most effectively to stop the reign of terror now prevailing in the Ciskei. If the cycle of violence and confrontation is to be halted, conditions will have to be created immediately in which free political activity will be possible in the Ciskei, and indeed throughout South Africa. In addition effective pressure must be applied on the South African government to persuade it to abandon its current strategy of promoting the bantustans as a basis for a future regional structure in South Africa. It must be made clear that such an approach will not enjoy any international support or recognition. I have been encouraged by the initiatives which the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the EuropeanZCommunity have taken to set up teams of observers and monitors. However I would hope that, in the light of this massacre, their despatch will be an utmost priority. I also hope that consideration will be given to the expansion of these teams so that they are in a position to carry out their task effectively. I understand that you will be reporting back on the Troika visit to the meeting of European Community Foreign Ministers this Saturday and I hope there will be an opportunity for a full discussion as a result of which you will be able to draw up a concerted programme of action to promote peace and democracy in South Africa. Finally, I must stress how disappointed I was that, when interviewed on television yesterday, you called upon the parties concerned to return to the negotiating table. I cannot see how such appeals can help the situation. From your visit to South" Africa you must surely appreciate that it is likely that this will perceived as Britain aligning itself with the De Klerk government. In my judgement the ANC is as committed, if not more so, as any other party to genuine negotiations. However, as the international community as a whole recognised with the adoption of the UN Declaration on South Africa, a necessary climate has to be created. I would urge you to use your influence to ensure that negotiations can take place by following the course of action outlined above and in our other representation to the Government. I am away from London at present and so this letter has had to be signed in my absence. Yours sincerely, + Trevor Huddleston CR President