The resolution says the Jewish Labor Committee has consistently called for an end to apartheid and for assistance to those inside South Africa who are fighting for their freedom; we support all those courageous democrats in South Africa who daily, at great personal risk, are opposing the policies of the Botha government, with particular emphasis on the black trade union movement inside South Africa. The resolution says in this context and in consultation with the black South African trade union movement, we supported the Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 and deplore the failure of the Reagan Administration to enforce its provisions; the act directed President Reagan to-recommend to Congress additional...
The resolution says the Jewish Labor Committee has consistently called for an end to apartheid and for assistance to those inside South Africa who are fighting for their freedom; we support all those courageous democrats in South Africa who daily, at great personal risk, are opposing the policies of the Botha government, with particular emphasis on the black trade union movement inside South Africa. The resolution says in this context and in consultation with the black South African trade union movement, we supported the Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 and deplore the failure of the Reagan Administration to enforce its provisions; the act directed President Reagan to-recommend to Congress additional sanctions against South Africa if "substantial progress" had not been made in ending apartheid; while admitting that Pretoria had not abandoned its racist policies, and providing no evidence of substantial progress, President Reagan called for more "creative diplomacy" rather than recommending additional sanctions. The resolution says in addition, since the ban on imports was enacted, embargoed goods -- apparel and accessories, raw textile fibers, yarns, fabric and textile articles, iron and steel imports -- have continued to flow into the United States. The resolution says meanwhile, black South Africa has continued to experience the weight and abuse of the apartheid system; this is particularly evident in the labor movement, the only mass-based institution, besides the church, in which oppressed South Africans can struggle for democracy. The resolution says union officials and members have been arrested and detained, usually without charges; union officials have been denied permission to leave the country on legitimate trade union business; union newspapers must clear government censorship before distribution; union publications have been confiscated and restricted from circulation; union offices have been bombed and officials subjected to constant harassment; union meetings have been banned, disrupted and bugged. The resolution says because the black population cannot engage in a dialogue on apartheid, we in the United States must do everything in our power to pressure the white South African regime to abolish the system of apartheid, thus opening the door to reform, the enfranchisement of all people and the creation of a non-racial society; the South African government is the principal target of this pressure because of its absolute control of the political process and substantial influence over the economic system. The resolution says the Jewish Labor Committee calls for the release of Nelson Mandela and all other political prisoners, as well as the restoration of full political and legal rights to non-racial political parties. The resolution says we also support programs such as Project South Africa, wherein American groups are matched with their South African counterparts in order to aid in the transition to a democratic society in the post-apartheid period; we are emphatic in our insistence on a democratic government in a post-apartheid society. The resolution discusses investment in South Africa by U.S. companies, trade and tourist promotion, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), loans financial institutions, coal, Shell Oil, American arms and other implements of war, the black population, multinational companies, South African consulates, U.S. citizens, South African passport holders, the AFL-CIO, goods entering the United States, the Krugerrand, gold coins, aircraft, withdrawal, a negotiated settlement with the chosen representatives of the workers, the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Commerce Department, the U.S. Treasury Department, U.S. banking, financial institutions, arms sales to South Africa, the United States Department of Transportation, dialog between the government and opposition forces, the independent Black trade union movement, and the Botha regime (P.W. Botha).
