U.S. Lifts 35-Year Arms Embargo

The United States lifted a 35-year-old arms embargo against South Africa, Vice President Al Gore and South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki said in a joint statement. “This will take effect immediately through the suspension of debarment of South African companies which had been prohibited from U.S. defense trade,” the statement said. The embargo was imposed in protest against South African apartheid but was extended in response to a 1994 dispute between Pretoria and Washington over the extradition of South Africans accused in the United States of violating sanctions. Apartheid ended in 1994 when all-race elections were held.