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Introduction: South Africa: What Is to Be done?
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12499 |
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CURRENT ISSUES
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7 / 1987 |
949 Words |
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South Africa continues to be one of the most difficult policy problems facing the U.S. government and its people. The Reagan administration has reluctantly abandoned its policy of "constructive engagement" in the face of strong congressional pressure and a hardening of attitude by the South African government. Antiapartheid activists are calling for stronger U.S. economic sanctions as they evaluate the minimal impact of disinvestments by American companies. Presidential aspirants, and not just Democrat Jesse Jackson, are certain to make South Africa one of the major issues of 1988.
At this critical moment, when the actions of the United States can significantly affect the future of South Africa and indeed all of southern Africa, THE WORLD & I asked leading experts and scholars to suggest what can be done to help end apartheid and strengthen democracy in South Africa.
Robert I. Rotberg, academic vice president at Tufts University, is not optimistic about a peaceful solution in South Africa given the recent elections, which he says have placed "ruling whites on an unswerving collision course with the country's vast black majority." Rotberg argues that the Conservatives, as the official opposition in the white parliament, are certain to push the government "even farther to the right." He predicts that the African National Congress (ANC) will accelerate its tactics of sabotage and violence.
Furthermore, he asserts, disinvestment is not working; more than half of the departing American corporations have sold their assets to South African firms. He doubts the efficacy of a broader boycott, at least in the short run. South Africa's
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