Die implikasies van buitelandse druk op Suid‐Afrika

Abstract

The pressures imposed on the South African political system are analysed in terms of the various forms it take and the major sources from which it emanate: harassment by the United Nations Organization by means of propaganda campaigns and a long list of resolutions aiming at the creation of an international legal base to impose mandatory sanctions against South Africa; concerted action on the part of O.A.U. countries by means of trade sanctions, isolation campaigns, sports boycotts and aid to “liberation” movements; communist subversion by Moscow, Peking and o'her communist sources by means of belligerent propaganda, the training and arming of guerilla terrorists and by infiltration of non‐white political, cultural and economic organisations; diplomatic, economic and other forms of pressure on the part of Western powers and a wide array of organised pressure groups e.g. religious and cultural organisations, news media, labour organisations, multi‐national corporations, student organisations, sports federations and other establishments.

The escalation of antagonism against South Africa is attributed to the following causal factors: the growing opposition to domestic policies and measures; the growing prominence of the Third World as a power block in international policies; and, the growing impact of the well‐financed anti‐South African campaign.

The most important implications of the mounting external pressure on South Africa are outlined as: a growing tendency to internationalize South African affairs; the intensification of efforts to impose punitive international sanctions; growing efforts to incite internal tension and unrest; and the growing urgency to mitigate the pressure campaign and to find an equitable internal settlement.

Finally, a few guidelines for finding a way to a more attractive future are staked out: sustained economic growth to facilitate peaceful change; removal of discriminatory measures based on race or colour; developing secure defence strategies; the maintenance of law and order; and constitutional change to expedite the transition from the status quo to a more acceptable new dispensation.