1.
CU & SV Botha speaking (3 shots)
2.34


SPEECH ON FILM (TRANSCRIPT)



SEQ. 1: BOTHA: "There is a new atmosphere. There is greater understanding of South Africa's dilemma as far as our attempts are concerned to find a solution to our internal problems. There is a more realistic understanding of southern Africa's problems and I think that the elements proposed by General Haig for a settlement of the South-West Africa problem -- they are more realistic. So all round I found a much greater readiness also on the part of your Senators, very prominent Senators, now to look at South Africa in a different light. I stated categorically in Washington that the greater realism on the part of the United States government as far as the Soviet threat is concerned should not be confused with acceptance of certain aspects of my government's policy. There are aspects of my government's policies which President Reagan simply cannot accept or support and we did not go to the United States to ask for such support. But I must also state categorically that there is on the part of the present United States government a readiness to recognise changes that have occurred in this country, to wit the very many important steps that this government took the past two years on the field of labour, sports, the opening of restaurants, hotels, the search for a solution as far as the constitutional future of the whites, coloureds and Asians are concerned. This to the present United States government is not cosmetics, for them it is important and they are encouraging us to move in this direction. But I do not believe the present United States government desires the South African government to relinquish political power. This is extremely important. There is a major difference between prescribing to South Africa to adopt one-man-one-vote and to create havoc, and turmoil and turbulence and conflict in this country, as was the case with the former administration, and the present one which would wish to see an illusory change, who would wish to see stability here, and law and order being maintained. There is a very big difference."





Initials BB





Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: The South African Foreign Minister Pik Botha said on his return form the United States on Sunday (17 May) that the Reagan administration did not want the South African government to relinquish power. Speaking at jan Smuts Airport, he said the main differences between the Carter administration and the present one was that President Reagan did not want to create turmoil and havoc in South Africa. Mr. Botha said he had to level talks during is stay in the United States on the future of the disputed territory of South-West Africa (Namibia) and that some progress had been made.