U.S. Policy on South Africa

While brutal apartheid and violent repression are relentlessly pursued by the South African government, debate goes on locally and in a shocked world about what is to be done. As minority groups sensitive to racial oppression and as labor organizations concerned with the struggle for popular rights, we believe a careful and comprehensive strategy can provide potent help from the United States for South Africans involved in the freedom struggle.

Such a strategy should include three elements: Systematic support for organizations and movements with the power to impact society in South Africa; determined economic and social pressure by our government and public and private institutions; and the establishment of stern tests for measuring real progress toward ending apartheid.

Through the AFL-CIO and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), we are cooperating with independent black trade unions in South Africa to identify those businesses with which they have enforceable agreements recognizing the unions’ right to represent their members, to function freely and to monitor business adherence to affirmative programs for human rights and decent labor standards. These black unions can have a decisive influence in shaping the future of South African society.

The black unions are also helping us to focus attention on the larger situation that requires world economic pressure. Sanctions demand legislative and administrative action by the U.S. federal government and concerted steps by other democratic countries.

They should include action to:

--Outlaw and end all new investments in South Africa, bank loans and International Monetary Fund loans to business and government, investment guarantees, export credits and trade promotion.

--Ban any loan or extension of credit to the South African government or any of its entities.

--Begin selectively to terminate the importation of key South African products and gradually enlarge this boycott.

--Prohibit the importation of Krugerrands.

--Compel total disinvestment by multinational corporations, commending with the energy and high-technology areas;

--Embargo the sale of arms for South African military, security and police forces.

Significant movement in this direction would occur under legislation submitted by Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Rep. William Gray (D-Pa.)--S. 635 and HR 1460. In the form already passed by the House, this measure would ban new bank loans to the South African government (except when used for housing, health and education on a non-discriminatory basis), new investments, sales of computers, and importation of Krugerrand coins.

A cessation of sanctions is justified only when, simultaneously or in rapid succession, there is a combination of undertakings by the South African government for economic and political empowerment of the black people: A negotiated program for instituting the equal right to vote and hold elective office; equal access to all jobs; the right to join unions and to the other forms of freedom of association and speech; the right to reside anywhere in South Africa and to travel freely; and the provision of massive resources to equalize housing; health care and education and remedy lifetimes of neglect. This would portend the doom of apartheid.

But it is impractical to expect congressional consensus very soon to reach this far. Therefore it is essential that federal action be buttressed by committed citizen groups and public and private institutions. Thus the proposal by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) for total divestiture by the University of California and Mayor Tom Bradley’s plan for divestment by the City of Los Angeles should help to inspire a broader sweep of local programs.

It is very late. Even with a total mustering of democratic strength the outcome of the struggle against the entrenched power, privilege and regression of apartheid is uncertain. Anything less than all-out effort confronts the world with the possibility of an immense blood bath born of desperation in South Africa, with unforeseeable ultimate consequences.

WOODY FLEMING

President

Los Angeles Branch

A. Philip Randolph Institute

ALBERT GRIBBELL

Chairperson

Los Angeles County Chapter

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement

MAX MONT

Regional Director

Jewish Labor Committee

Los Angeles