This document analyses the impact of the Reagan administration's weak Executive Order of September 9 that, for the first time, imposed weak sanctions against South Africa. This action had its intended effect of stopping bi-partisan moves in Congress to adopt stronger sanctions, as some Republicans backed the President's action instead. One element of the Executive Order was a ban on imports of Krugerrands, one of the actions that had been moving forward in Congress. Some Republican Senators now argue that the South African government is reforming, in response to the Executive Order, even though Bishop Tutu and others say the "reforms" are "too little, too late." No...
This document analyses the impact of the Reagan administration's weak Executive Order of September 9 that, for the first time, imposed weak sanctions against South Africa. This action had its intended effect of stopping bi-partisan moves in Congress to adopt stronger sanctions, as some Republicans backed the President's action instead. One element of the Executive Order was a ban on imports of Krugerrands, one of the actions that had been moving forward in Congress. Some Republican Senators now argue that the South African government is reforming, in response to the Executive Order, even though Bishop Tutu and others say the "reforms" are "too little, too late." No votes on South African sanctions are now expected in the Congress, but state and local legislatures are way ahead of Congress on the issue of divestment. The document discusses strategies to restart discussion of sanctions in the Congress and also the need to support Representative Patria Schroeder's bill on Namibia and to organize opposition to proposals by Representative Fascell for aid to UNITA and Senator Wallop for aid to the MNR "Contras" in Mozambique.
