WANT MEETING WITH MAYOR-Controller Tom Flaherty (left) and Councilman William Robinson want the City to investigate its business dealings with local companies directly or indirectly involved with the Republic of South Africa. (MARK C. SOUTHERS Photo)

THE COURIER, FEBRUARY 25, 1984 South African Link... Law Firm Requested To Sever Ties By PHIL TAYLOR practices, such as apartheid. sion, I believe it to be highly inap (Courier City Editor) Robinson said the firm has "done propriate that the firm of Baskins A Dowr.town law firm, which an excellent job legally" in serving and Sears, which is now a registered serves as the city's bond counsel the city, but expressed concern that agent of that government, serve the while also serving as an agent of the businesses contracted by the city are city in any capacity." apartheid-ruled Republic of South consistent with its policies. Flaherty also stated in his letter Africa, has stirred City Council to Both Robinson and Flaherty said that he did not believe it is the will of form a task force to examine more that although they have no proof, the City to "associate itself in anyway closely the city's investment policies. they allege the firm was responsible, with the odious and deplorable prac It is a move, one council member in part for bringing the South tice of the Republic of South Africa said, to "ensure compatibility with African Consulate to the city. or its agents." the principle of equal opportunity They have both requested a, Councilman Robinson, when ask and other precepts of democracy." meeting this week with the mayor to ed ifcity officials were somewhat em The task force urged by black city discuss Baskin and Sears South barrassed that its bond counsel has councilman William R. Robinson African connections. been a registered agent of the and approved on Monday (Feb. 20) The city controller in a letter to Ci Republic of South Africa for four by its other members, follows a letter ty Council dated Feb. 17 stated in years, reiterated that the firm has sent to Mayor Caliguiri by City Con part: "In view of the blatant apar done a "very fine job for us as bond troller Tom Flaherty which requested theid practices of the government of counsel." that the city sever its connections South Africa, their singular disregard He also said that the policies of the for basic human dignity, and their segregated state have already been with the law firm of Baskin & Sears. Continued on paree A-2_ Robert Rade Stone, City Council well-documented history of oppres- President will appoint council members only, to serve on the task force. Firm Asked To Sever Ties Since 1981, Baskin and Sears has Continued from Page A-I the Pittsb0rgh School Board, said received an estimated $500,000 in identified "as an embarassment to earlier Pittsburghers Against Apar renumeration from the city according most of the civilized world." theid will ask the mayor to find to Flaherty. In 1983, the firm was another law firm to represent the ci services rendered paid $1,106.65 for "I think that certainly the ad ty. to the County, according to the Ac ministration has a responsibility to Philip Baskin, a founding partner of the County counting Division look at this situation and others to in the legal firm, is a key fundraiser Controller's office. make sure that we're being consis for Democratic Presidential Can supported past resolu Robinson tent. People we do business with are didate--Walter Mondale's Weslern tions to rescind authorization for the the kinds of' people that we can Pennsylvania campaign and proli African state, preventing white-ruled publicly talk about and feel very pro nent area fundraiser Ior many con the establishment of honorary ud of," Robinson said Monday out Democrts. Partner, John Sears. was sulates in American cities. Members side council chambers. area campaign manager for President of Pittsburghers Against Apartheid, Jake Milliones. president of the Ronald Reagan in his 1980 presiden racial which opposes South Africa's anti-apartheid group and president of tial campaign. policies, protested the opening of an honorary South African Consulate Downtown in 1982. Robinson said the "spirit" of council's actions then were "not to be" indirectly or directly involved with governments or activities which Support undemocratic principles and The Pittsburgh Press,

0WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1984

Influential law firm here lobbying for South Africa By Jon Sehmitz according to U.S. Justice Depart lars in political contributions made man. cut them (Baskin & Sears) loose." tation ... it does not necessarily ment records. by the law firn. Baskin answered a reporter's call The firm also has garnered hun follow that youfor." endorse what that The Pittsburgh Press The records also show that Bas Yesterday's developments added yesterday, but said he was too busy dreds of thousands of dollars in client stands kin & Sears took part in South to a mounting political problem for to discuss the matter. county and municipal authority Also speaking last week, Baskin The Downtown law firm of Bas Africa's effort to establish a consul Mayor and City Caliguiri has maintained silence business, public records show. said, "If you had a policy that kin & Sears has played a major role ate in Pittsburgh two years ago. The Council. on the issue. For the second time in At the same time, Baskin and lawyers could represent only popu as a lobbyist for the apartheid gov effort was scuttled by a public Anti-apartheid and human rights two days, he declined to meet with other lawyers in the firm have lar clients, you wouldn't have much ernment of South Africa and partici outcry against the racial practices organizations are expected to apply reporters yesterday to discuss the donated thousands of dollars to of a legal system." pated in that nation's controversial of the South African government. extreme pressure in the coming subject. scores of state and local govern An examination of Baskin & attempt to open a consulate here in Dumisani Kumalo, a spokesman weeks for an end to the city's rela The mayor's reticence brought a ment officials, according to federal Sears's contract with South Africa 1982. for an African-American organiza tionship with Baskin & Sears, under sharp attack fiom Controller Tom and county records. shows that the firm's duties range The firm's contract with South tion, described Baskin & Sears yes which the law firm has collected Flaherty, who first raised the issue Caliguiri aides, as well as Baskin, far beyond those of legal counsel. Africa calls for it to lobby and terday as "the No. 1 apartheid nearly $500,000 in contracts in the of the law firm's role in a letter to have defended the firm's work for The $500,000-per-year contract, arrange contacts for South Africans lobbyist in the United States." last four years. Caliguiri last week. South Africa, saying it would be first signed in 1981, sets forth the with U.S. public officials, promote Kumalo, project director for the The firm's Philip Baskin is re "He's ducking it," Flaherty said. unfair for the city to exclude the following duties for the firm: the nation's exports to the United New York-based American Commit-' garded as among the city's chief "He doesn't have the political cour firm because of its other clients. * "To lobby, represent, advise States, work to improve South Afri tee on Africa, urged Pittsburgh offi .power brokers and is a longtime age to address this issue. He's seeing David Matter, Caliguiri's execi. and assist in the promotion of the ca's image here and provide politi cials to sever ties with Baskin & rive secretary, said last week, "Just confidant of the mayor. He formerly which way the wind is blowing. Continuedon page A6 cal advice, among other things, Sears and return thousands of dol- served as council's finance chair- "It's time to get out the knife and because you provide legal represen- Continued from page Al continues to be the official policy of said Councilwoman , fund-raisingIn addition, activities Baskin hashere organized for Wal guiri, Foerster and other political signatures needed to force a public political, economic and cultural ob the government." who received at least $1,100 from officials added more to his influence hearing in council. jectives of the South African gov City Council then passed a resolu Baskin & Soars lawyers during her dentialter Mondale, candidate. a Democratic Over the years,presi than did political donations. Kumalo said he would come to ernment in the U.S. tion opposing the consulate, one of 1981 campaign. . "Every politician goes to Phil Pittsburgh to testify at such a hear 0 "To improve the image of the three anti-South Africa bills ap There is no question that the firm Baskin has been a successful fund Baskin for donations," Mrs. Masloff ing. His organization, established 32 (South African) government in the proved by council in the past two is politically active. raiser for state and national said. "Every local politician, every years ago, is working nationwide for U.S. in order to strengthen the long years. A report filed by the firm with candidates. ward chairman, every committee an end to public investment in South .standing friendship between the two South Africa "has historically the Justice Department, covering a Locally, County Elections De person ... he was always a soft Africa. countries. maintained officially sanctioned 7-month period of 1982, lists more partment records show that Baskin touch for everybody." Council members Wagner and * "To promote South African government policies that discrimi than $12,000in contributions to 22 and his associates have given exten Wagner said he believed Baskin's Mrs. Masloff, who originally said exports to the U.S., to promote nate against peoples of color," the political candidates and organiza sively to Caliguiri and several coun strength comes from his experience they did not object to the law firm's American investments in the Re resolution said. tions in Pennsylvania, Ohio and cil members. on council, friendship with public contract with South Africa, said public of South Africa, and to assist Caliguiri, in a March 1982 letter West Virginia. During his 1981 mayoral cam officials and knowledge of the sys yesterday that they would reconsi the government in obtaining loans in to the Human Relations Commis Among them are contributions of paign, Caliguiri received at least tem. "I don't think he controls coun der their positions. the U.S. sion, pointed out that he had boycot $2,500 to the National Bipartisan $4,600 from 24 lawyers employed by cil or controls how we vote," "I'm surprised and shocked," * "To assist in arranging contacts ted ceremonies at the opening of the Political Action Committee; $1,500 the firm. A campaign official said Wagner said. Mrs. Masloff said after hearing de With U.S. government officials, consulate and had refused to meet to the Pennsylvania '82 Democratic Bskin raised about $3,000 more for Flaherty said council's unwilling tails of the contract. "This really members of Congress and other with South African leaders. Conference; $1,000 to state Supreme Caliguiri. ness to tackle the South Africa issue gives me something to think about." Opinion makers in the United States. "The South African policy ...is Court Justice Stephen A. Zappala; Mrs. Masloff received $1,100 illustrates Baskin's influence. No . e "To advise and counsel the immoral, outrageous and utterly re $1,000 to Cyril Wecht, the county from 10 Baskin & Sears lawyers, council member has joined Flaherty (South African) government on mat pugnant. It offends our sense of Democratic chairman and former county records show. in calling for a severance of the ters of U.S. foreign and domestic justice and equality and has no county commissioner, and $1,000 to Council President Robert Rade city's dealings with the firm. licy which could affect U.S. and place in this country or this city," former Council President Eugene Stone was given $750 by 15 of the "This is powerful, political, uth African relations. Caliguiri wrote at the time. "Jeep" DePasquale and to Sen. Rob firm's lawyers in his 1981 cam bought influence versus a democrat * "To establish, assist and advise Crawford could not be reached ert Byrd, D-W.Va. paign. ic principle," he said. U.S. bodies and organizations which for comment on the memorandum. Receiving $500 donations during Baskin donated $500 to Council Yesterday, Flaherty mailed let have as their objectives the promo Flaherty described the mayor's let the period were Vectors of Pitts man 's successful 1983 ters to 400 human rights, anti-apart tion of better U.S./South African ter and the council resolutions as burgh, formerly the Pittsburgh campaign and $350 to Ms. Madoff in heid and black organizations, ielationships." "chest pounding," and accused the chapter of the Jaycees; Gov. Dick 1982 and 1983. including churches, urging recipi . Also on file with the Justice De officials of wilting in the face of Thornburgh; Son. Howard Metzen Baskin and other lawyers of the ents to "carry your indignation to Iartment is a 1982 report by Baskin Baskin's political influence. baum, D-Ohio; and Rep. William firm gave at least $200 to Council Mayor Caliguiri and the three coun & Soars in which the firm acknowl "They've got a real dog now, with Coyne, D-Pittsbutgh. man Richard Givens and $250 to ty commissioners." edges that B. Blair Crawford, a big teeth and flesh and skin. We'll Receiving smaller amounts ($50 Councilman Jim O'Malley last year, The Pittsburgh NAACP and Pitts partner in the Pittsburgh office, see how tough they are now," he to $250) were state Sen. Eugene records indicate, and $300 to Coun burghers Against Apartheid were ,gepared a memorandum for the said. Scanlon, D-South Side; County Com cilman Ben Woods, council's finance expected to make statements on the uth Africans on "problems en Flaherty and Kumalo rejected mission Chairman Tom Foerster chairman. issue later this week.' countered in Pittsburgh by the South the notion of a "lawyer-client rela Councilwoman Michelle Madoff; Flaherty himself received $250 James Ferlo, a community activ African honorary consul." tionship" between the law firm and Common Pleas Court Judges Robert from five Baskin & Sears lawyers ist, said he would gather the petition The reference was to Consul Gui South Africa. Horgos and Paul Zavarella; state last October - money he sent back Leite-Ferraz, who touched off a "This firm is lobbying on behalf Auditor General Al Benedict; state after learning of the firm's contracti' firestorm of protest when he tried to of apartheid and making (political) Sen. Leonard Bodack, D-Lawrence with South Africa. establish an honorary diplomatic donations in an effort to gather ville; and Pittsburghers for Council Mrs. Masloff said Baskin's long-[ mission for South Africa here. influence," Kumalo said. At Large. time friendships with herself, Call-I The same report says that Baskin Said Flaherty: & Soars monitored the issue "very "It has nothing to do with attor closely" for the South Africans. neys and nothing to do with law. It After an emotional public hear has everything to do with access and ing, the city Human Relations Com influence peddling. mission condemned the effort to "You don't need any qualifica I open the mission, saying: tions to be an agent - just influence The Pittsburgh Press "What is present is not merely a and accessibility. Baskin & Sears controversy over a specific policy, over the years has bought all of the but a complete moral repugnance to influence and accessibility money the system of apartheid. can buy." "This blatant system of racism, Other elected officials say the wjfich denies basic human and po firm realizes only minimal gains litical rights to more than 80 per from its political donations. "I be Wednesday, February 22, 1984 cent of (South Africa's) population, lieve he gives more than he gets," POST-GAZETTE: Wed., Feb. 22, 1984 Law firm tagged top apartheid lobbyist

By Albert J. Neri Baskin & Sears. The firm is a rassed when the honorary consul, • Baskin also contended that the would call on the elected officials to Post-Gazette StaffWriter registered agent for South Africa in Gui Leite-Ferraz, produced a con South African work is being done by return the donations. this country. gratulatory letter on his appoint his partner, John Sears, out of the The report lists a number of local The leader of a New-York based ment from Caliguiri. anti-apartheid group charged yes In a letter sent to 400 local black firm's Washington office. Sears is a recipients, including council mem that the Baskin & Sears law leaders, Flaherty urged putting Flaherty, in his letter, asked what Reagan administration supporter bers Eugene DePasquale ($1,000); terday played as a firm is "the No. 1 apartheid lobbyist pressure on Mayor Caliguiri and the role Baskin & Sears and loyalist. Michelle Madoff ($250); U.S. Rep. county commissioners to sever con "secret agent in bringing the South William J. Coyne, D-Pittsburgh in the United States." African consulate to Pittsburgh. Kumalo said activity reports filed nections with the law firm. Department for the ($500); Gov. Thornburgh, $500; Cyril Dumisani Kumalo, project direc office was the with the Justice tor for American Committee for For the second day in a row, "The consulate first six months of 1982 note that a Wecht, then a candidate for U.S. Africa and a former journalist in Caliguiri refused to comment on the straw dog. The real dog - with Pittsburgh-based lawyer for Baskin Senate, $1,000; state Supreme Court South Africa, also said that Justice Baskin-South African connection. teeth - is Baskin & Sears," Flaher & Sears "prepared a memorandum candidate Stephen Zappala, $1,000. Department documents filed by Philip Baskin, a former city council ty said, calling on Baskin to either dealing with the problem encoun There was also $179.28 for Commis man and partner in the law firm, rop South Africa as a client or stop tered in Pittsburgh by the South sioner Tom Foerster in the form of Pittsburgh-based law firm link it to doing work for the city and county. the unsuccessful effort last year to has been an active supporter of the African honorary consulate." flowers from a Mt. Lebanon shop. set up a South African consular Caliguiri administration. Flaherty said he would press the In 1982, both DePasquale and It wasn't until after a city Human matter before City Council in a According to Kumolo, the memo office here. randum says in part, "We [Baskin & Coyne sponsored resolutions, in City Kumalo pledged to come to Pitts Relations Commission hearing in public hearing, yet to be scheduled, Council and Congress, calling on the which Caliguiri's and, if necessary, testify before the Sears] monitored the situation in burgh in the near future to press his March 1982, at Pittsburgh very closely concerning Reagan administration to close the accusations. lack of response to South Africa's city's Human Relations Commission South African consulate office in appointing an honorary consul here when it meets in early March. problems encountered by the South In a related development, City African consulate in that city." Pittsburgh. Controller Thomas Flaherty, who became an issue, that the mayor Baskin yesterday defended his Flaherty said five Baskin & Sears took a strong public stance con firm's activities, saying it repre Kumolo said the same 1982 re made public the link between South port also lists $12,319 in political lawyers each contributed $50 to his Africa and the politically active law demning South Africa's apartheid sented a government "which has campaign last year. He said he policy. diplomatic relationships with our contributions by the Pittsburgh of firm, continued to urge the city and fice of Baskin & Sears. He said he returned the money yesterday: county to stop doing business with He was subsequently embar- country." American Committee On Africa 198 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10038 / (212) 962-1210 / Cable AMCOMMAF

Vitisburqb Vot-6azlette

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1984

"WRT'E Yb OIrE AO0T ?V NWE0U YE IERSr M M."

Executive Director: lenniter Dmi / Associate Director: PILuII rish I Research: (,iiI Ho~e / Projects: Durnt, am Kumicr /Literature: Rih ard Kn ht 4-: American Committee On Africa 198 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 100381(212)962-1210 / Cable AMCOMMAF lVittoburb Post-6azette

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22.1984 Pretoria, Baskin & Sears Everybody knew that when Tom Fla sorts of people. herty became city controller, the politi In fact, nobody is disputing that right, cal limelight would be turned on in that not even Mr. Flaherty. Clearly, Baskin & hitherto quiet office. And, true to his Sears can defend or advise whomsoever word, Mr. Flaherty has come up with an it chooses. But having made that choice, issue guaranteed to get attention. it cannot deny the city its choice - to What Mr. Flaherty has discovered deal or not to deal with a law firm that by chance and not in the performance of furthers the interests of a country such his new duties - is that the Downtown as South Africa that many taxpayers find law firm of Baskin & Sears is a regis extremely offensive. tered agent of the Republic of South Afri Let no one delude himself. South Afri ca, and that it also has a contract to re ca, for that is the focus of Mr. Flaherty's present a Japanese automakers' assoc charge, is not analogous to some simple iation. defendant who must be represented be In the expectation that moral outrage fore an American court. Whatever its le will be aroused on one hand and populist gal problems in this country, the business resentment on the other, Mr. Flaherty is of South Africa is to further its political calling on the Caliguiri administration to aims. And it is no coincidence that it has sever all ties with Baskin & Sears, which turned to a law firm noted for its politi he says has received $500,000 in legal cal connections. fees from the city since 1981. It is a call If Baskin & Sears were known as a reg that has caused embarrassment on ular defender of the Mafia or the Ku , where a number of politi Klux Klan, the city would not deal with it cians - including Mayor Caliguiri and no matter how many arguments were some council members - have benefited raised about the purity of the legal pro by contributions from the same firm's fession. Yet, in its own way, racist South associates. Africa is just as reprehensible. An outside observer, knowing the new There is a crucial distinction here be controller's penchant for publicity and tween private rights and public obliga the ways of politics, might be forgiven a tion. If Baskin & Sears wants to repre certain amount of cynicism about all sent South Africa, good luck to it. But let this. Nevertheless, Mr. Flaherty has everybody understand that the city of raised an important point in the case of Pittsburgh is not obliged to share the South Africa - and one, moreover, that same stable. In short, the city can decide has not been adequately rebutted by his that a law firm's commitment to being critics. an agent for a racist government Those who defend Baskin & Sears re outweighs anything it may have done for fer to the nature of the legal profession, minorities here. pointing out that an attorney is not a Although City Council has set up its criminal because he sometimes has to own task force to look into the matter, represent criminals. Everybody has a Mayor Caliguiri should take the lead in right to legal representation in this coun severing all links with Baskin &Sears, no try, the argument goes, and it is to be ex matter what political favors are owed. pected that lawyers will represent all Mr. Flaherty happens to be right.

Executive Director: lenniter Da\ i. / Associate Director: Paul Inh / Research: Gmi Home / Projects: DumL-ani Kumalo / Literature: Ri( hard Knight .-- American Committee On Africa 198 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 100381 (212) 962-1210 I Cable AMCOMMAF

-POST-GAZETTE: Mon., Feb. 20, 1984 Law firm used by city hit over S. Africa ties cause we probably have been the By Linda S. Wilson foremost law firm in working for Post-Gazette Staff Writer blacks over the years," Baskin said. Mayor Caliguiri and Pittsburgh "As lawyers, you cannot pick and City Council members have been choose clients by what is popular at asked to stop doing legal business the time." with the Downtown law firm of He said if that were true,"very Baskin & Sears because it is a few people would have represented registered agent of the Republic of blacks" over the years. South Africa. "If you take economic sanctions City Controller Thomas Flaherty against lawyers because you do not has sent letters to city officials and like their clients, you would have to the county commissioners, saying economic chaos," said Baskin, who he considers it "highly inappropri is a former Pittsburgh councilman. ate" that Baskin & Sears "serve the "You have to give lawyers freedom city in any capacity" because of to represent clients." "the blatant apartheid practices of ' Baskin & Sears is registered with the government of South Africa." the U.S. Department of Justice as an Flaherty's stand has gained the agent of the South African support of Pittsburghers Against government. Apartheid, a group that opposes That means the firm is a legal dealings with the South African gov adviser for the South African gov ernment, which has a policy of strict ernment on various issues and keeps racial segregation. it apprised of certain developments Jake Milliones, president of that in the United States, but "we are not organization and president of the an agent in the sense that we are Pittsburgh School Board, said yes trying to advance their policies., ; terday, "This is very troublesome • Caliguiri could not be reached for ... It is disappointing to learn that comment yesterday. Most council. someone who gets so much business members declined comment, saying with the city and county is doing they do not know enough about the business with South Africa." issue yet. Pittsburghers Against Apartheid But Councilwoman Sophie 'Mas will be meeting "in the near future," loff said, "I think it [Flaherty's Milliones said, "and I'm sure we will stand] is ridiculous. It's the mayor's be asking the mayor to find another prerogative to choose whomever te law firm." wants and I think this is a political Flaherty's letter states that the vendetta." city has paid $500,000 in legal fees William Robinson, council's only to Baskin & Sears since 1981. The black member, said he wants to firm also does legal business with meet with Flaherty today "to dis Allegheny County, but figures on its cuss this more extensively. ... 'I fees were not available yesterday. think we should certainly take steps Philip Baskin, founding partner to see that city money is not invest of the law firm, responded to Fla ed with persons who are not promot herty's comments yesterday. ing equal opportunity.... I think we "It's very interesting that he should look into the possibility of.a [Flaherty] would light on that be- task force."

Executive Director: lenniter Da i, / Associate Director: Paul Irisb / Research: GaI Ho ev / Projects: DumI'.,ani Kurnlo / Literature: Ri( hard Knight Z->-- American Committee On Africa 198 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 100381(212) 962-1210 ICable AMCOMMAF

Wednesday, February 15, 1984

was no similarity between his contribu tion from a law firm and Jackson's acceptance of money from Arab countries. Baskin and Sears is a 150-lawyer firm that has offices in New York and six other cities besides Washington. The firm, which has numerous clients besides South Africa, is headed by John P. Sears, Ronald Reagan's presi dential campaign manager until he was fired in a staff shakeup early in 1980. Under its agreement with South Africa:-which is filed with the Justice Department-Baskin and Sears assists "in arranging contacts with U.S. gov ernment officials, members of Con gress and other opinion makers," attempts to "foster better political, economic and cultural relationships" with the U.S.; and lobbies for "the promotion of the political, economic and cultural objectives" of-South Afri ca's government. Kumalo said Koch denounced Jack son because of the $200,000 in con tributions in 1980 from the Arab League, an umbrella organization that represents 21 Arab nations and the PLO. Kumalo said "there is absolutely no difference" between Jackson's Arab League contributions and Koch's con Mayor Koch with "Koch" doll at City Hall yesterday. Earlier, he defended tribution from Baskin and Sears. accepting campaign contribution from law firm representing South Africa. "South Africa is buying influence in the U.S. by passing on its money to people in office through its agents," he S. Africa lobbyist maintained. aided Koch fund Last Sunday Koch publicly de By FRANK LOMBARDI nounced the Rev. Jesse Jackson be cause affiliates of his PUSH civil group fighting South Africa's rights group accepted $200,000 from an apartheid system disclosed yesterday Arab group. Koch had said that was as that Mayor Koch received a $2,000 unacceptable as if a presidential candi campaign contribution in 1981 from a date such as Walter F. Mondale had Washington law firm that is the chief taken money from a South African lobbyist for the South African apartheid group. ,government. Koch said yesterday he had not The contribution to Koch Was made known that the law firm of Baskin and public by Dumisani Kumalo, project Sears represented South Africa, which director of the American Committee on Koch called "a criminal nation." Africa (ACA), which has offices at 198 Broadway, near City Hall. The ACA is NEVERTHELESS, Koch defended the leading advocate of the "disinvest-,The contribution as proper because it ment" campaign-eff rts to halt both - came from "respectable, honest direct and indirect rade and invest- lawyers" and not from their Soufth ment with South Africa. African client The mayor said there

Executive Director: Jenniter Davis / Associate Director: Paul Irish / Research: Gail Ho~ev / Projects: Dumian Kumalo / Literature: Richard Knight ,D m American Committee On Africa 198 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 100381 (212) 962-1210 I Cable AMCOMMAF

Oebt Nct Pork-1je-'s. Metropolitan ReDort

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1984 Copyhtt 134 Th NowYork Time

Apartheid Foe Assails Koch on'Campaign Gift

By MICHAEL GOODWIN against apartheid, acknowledged re Jackson is "simpatico" with that goal. An official of a New York group that ceiving the contribution but said he did His case is different, the Mayor opposes apartheid in South Africa not know at the time that Baskin & argued, because- he took money from called on Mayor Koch yesterday to re Sears represented South Africa. He lawyers of a foreign Government, not turn a $2,000 campaign contribution said, however, that he would have ac the Government itself. from a law firm that represents the cepted the money even if he had known Mr. Kumalo said Mr. Koch's defense Pretoria Government. about the South African tie and that he of the contribution was lame because "The Mayor has taken money that would not return it. Baskin & Sears had been hired to "rep has South African ties," said the offi "Don't they have the right as law resent apartheid in the United States." cial - Dumisani Kumalo, project di yers to epre sent criminals?" Mr. He said he bad learned of the situa rector of the American Committee on Koch said at a news conference. "I tion by examining reports that the firm Africa. "He should say, 'Listen, I blew know I have never received money was required to file with the Justice it.' He cannot represent a city of black from the South African Government or Department. and, white citizens and still be taking any South African committee." . Lawrence Mandelker, a prtner In money from a racist group." He said the contribution was not Baskin & Sears, said his firm gve The donation was made to Mr. analagous to ones by the Arab League $10,000 to Governor Cuomo last year. Koch's 1961 re-election campaign by to a group headed by the Rev. Jesse Timothy J. Russert, the Governor's the law firm of Baskin & Sears. The Jackson. Mr. Koch has said the Arab chief spokesman, said that Mr. Cuomo fim is registered with the Justice De League seeks the destruction of Israel did not know of the firm's South Af partment as an agent for South Africa. and the Jackson group's acceptance of rican ties but that there was nothing Mr. Koch, who has spoken out money from the group indicates Mr. improper in the contribution.

Executive Director: George M. Houser/Associate Director: Paul Irish/Research Director: Jennifer Davis/Literature: Richard Knight 4W 412 American Committee On Africa 198 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 100381(212) 962-1210 1 Cable AMCOMMAF

On the television, when he was using his showing off language, the mayor said the Arab money in question probably came from Libya. He .had no proof Shoe on other of that, not even a hint of evidence. But he knew it would inflame and that became his starting point. The New York Times newspaper has made much of the Arab League money. It sent one of its best in investigators out to examine Jackson and organiza foot-foot's there was any tions he has been associated with. If dirt, it was to be found. Fair enough, because Jesse Jackson now is reaching for the highest office in the land. No dirt was found. Nothing. It was leaked Koch's mouth (illegally from tax records) to the newspaper that an N SUNDAY, ON TELEVISION, he was beside organization Jackson had no official position with the PUSH Foundation-had received a grant of himself. He did everything but call for the $100,000 from the Arab League. No law was broken. Rev. Jesse Jackson to get out of the race for done. Still, much was the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party. OTHING ILLEGAL was This was the mayor of New York and he was made of the grant and it led to a later saying how wrong it was that Jackson was just revelation by Jackson's attorney that PUSH associated with money Excel, an organization that Jackson had headed, also that had come from the had received a $100,000 grant from the Arab League. Arab League. It didn't But it was all aboveboard, strictly legal. matter that Jackson had Once the grant to the PUSH Foundation was received none of the disclosed, Jackson said he was not aware of the money directly. It didn't grant. He was still subjected to severe criticism. matter either that the Yesterday, Koch's defense was that he didn't know money was all received it was South African money. The money came aboveboard and duly re through his lawyer from the firm of Baskin and ported to the Internal Sears. The money was given on the 27th of October, Revenue Service. Not to 1981. The mayor said he didn't know but on the day Earl Mayor Koch it didn't. before, on the 26th of October, The New York Times Now, there is the newspaper had a story about John Sears (a former Caldwell other side. Now it's out Reagan insider) and that story reported that Sears that money that came di represented the government of South Africa. I_ rectly from the govern The campaign donation was in the amount of ment of South Africa $2,000. Baskin and Sears did not make the contribu helped put the mayor in City Hall. On Sunday, on tion directly. I'nstW, -to hide the South African television, the mayor was clear about what the connection, it went through a lawyer who was a standards for accepting camapign money ought to be. friend of the mayor. Because of that, the mayor says Yesterday, after it came out that he was involved in 4io wrong was done. He is trying to build a double South African money, he was in a helluva race, standard. The truth is he got caught. And now, the trying to get away from his own words. ,problem he has is getting out from the big hole his On television the mayor said the money Jackson mouth has dug. received was the equivalent of a white presidential ' But it's not just Koch. Let us see now the kind of candidate accepting money from South Africa. The outrage expressed when it's South African money mayor, though, dressed it up in his showoff lan coming into the mayoral race of New York City that guage. He said it was like a Mondale receiving money Is at issue. from "the South African Good Government Apar theid Group." His own words got him into trouble. Daily News political writer Frank Lombardi wrote the story. Dumisani Kumalo of the American Committee on Africa read Lombardi's story in the newspaper. One of the things the American Committee on Africa (ACA) does is keep track of the way South African money moves into the country and into places where Wedne.isday, February 15, 1984 it can influence. It especially keeps track of where South Africa puts money believing it can have political influence. And the ACA traced money to the Koch campaign, and when he read Koch's words in the newspaper on Monday, the first thing Dumisani Kumalo did was telephone Frank Lombardi. It doesn't end there. The two stories are not the same. Jackson and the funds from the Arab League are not the same as Koch and the South African money. The mayor has some tall e~plaining to do.

Executive Director: Jennifer Davis / Associate Director: Paul Irish / Research: Gail Hovev / Projects: Dumisani Kumalo / Literature: Richard Knight 42>. American Committee On Africa 198 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 100381(212) 962-1210 ICable AMCOMMAF

U.S. law firm t to cut S.Africa tie

By FRANK LOMBARDI

Following controversies in both New York and Pittsburgh, the Washington-based law firm of Baskin and Sears announced yesterday that it will drop the government of South Africa as a client. The firm is the lobbyist in the United States for South Africa, which practices a form of segregation called apartheid. Last week it was disclosed that its lawyers in New York and elsewhere had made political contributions to dozens of public officials, including Gov. Cuomo, Mayor Koch, Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode and former Vice President Walter Mondale. Baskin and Sears -also has a major branch in Pittsburgh and does legal work for that city. Pittsburgh Mayor Richard Caliguiri, a Democrat, gave the firm an ultimatum to sever its South African ties or lose all city government contracts. One of the law firm's founding partners, Philip Baskin of Pittsburgh, said the decision to drop South Africa was made because "the matter was becoming embarrassing to both clients (Pittsburgh and South Africa) we were representing." John Sears, one of the Baskin and Sears partners who had handled the South African account, said he will leave the firm alonj with several associates. They plan to form a new firm which will assume the ,South African contract. Cuomo, Koch and other recipients of the contribu. tions have said they had not known of the firm's ties to South Africa.

'DAILYONEWS

Daily News, Friday, February 24, 1984

Executive Director: lenniter Da\ i /Associate Director: Paul irth / Research: GaiI Ho el /Projects: Dt'umian, KUnialo Literature: Ri( hard Knight <>