African Activist Archive

Mailing by Christine Root, Chairperson of the Political Action Committee, asking people to urge their senators to support the strongest possible South Africa sanctions legislation. The mailing references the victory in the House of Representatives when, on June 5, the House adopted a series of economic sanctions against South Africa in the Anti-Apartheid Act of 1985 by an impressive margin of 295-127 - enough to override a presidential veto in the House. 56 Republicans were among the bill's supporters. This is where the issue now stands in the Senate: On June 4 the Foreign Relations Committee voted 16-1 (Senator Helms was the lone negative vote) to adopt language that combines proposals that have been made by Senators Lugar (R-Ind.), Dodd (D-Conn.), Roth (Del.), and McConnell (Ken.). The mailing says the legislation contains: (a) a ban on bank loans to the South African government; (b) a ban on computer sales to agencies that enforce apartheid; (c) a ban on exports used in nuclear production (that is not as strong as the House-passed language); (d) a requirement that US firms operating in South Africa implement fair employment practices; (e) $15 million for scholarships to students from inside South Africa, plus Export-Import Bank credits and Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) aid for ventures involving black-owned businesses in South Africa; and (f) a provision that further sanctions could be imposed in 18 months if the President determines that no progress has been made in dismantling apartheid. The mailing includes two newspaper opinion articles: "Constructive engagement isn't working" by Robert I. Rotberg and "Blacks' plight is worsening in S. Africa, with U.S help" by Jean Sindab. The mailing includes information about investments, importation of Krugerrand gold coins, Richard Lugar, the State Department Authorization bill, the Clark Amendment prohibiting CIA covert activities in Angola, President Reagan, HR 1460, Gulf Oil, Security Council Resolution 435, Multi-Party Conference (MPC), the Mozambique National Resistance (MNR), the African National Congress (ANC), the Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), Cuban troops, Soviet support for Angola, Cabinda, the State Department, Congress, the South African military, and divestment.

African Activist Archive

[Dear ACAS members, We are very excited about the victory in the House of Representatives this week . . .]

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