[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 50 (Monday, May 2, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       ELECTIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA

  Mr. MOYNIHAN. Madam President, last week we witnessed an exhilarating 
event for those of us who have long hoped for change in South Africa. 
The fruits of years of struggle for an end to apartheid in South Africa 
have ripened as the country held its first multi- racial election.
  The votes of those oppressed by decades of racial segregation will 
propel South Africa into a new era of political participation and 
racial equality. Those who have tried to scuttle the elections through 
political manipulation, threats and violence have failed. The 
enthusiasm of the people of South Africa, the majority of whom have 
waited their whole lives for this opportunity, is unparalleled.
  Only a few years ago the possibility of holding these elections was 
remote. It is a testament to the bravery of those oppressed by 
apartheid and to the indomitable desire for freedom that after this 
long and difficult struggle those seeking fundamental liberties have 
prevailed. Despite rising international pressure and growing popular 
unrest, the government clung to the fetters of apartheid.
  As early as 1975 the apartheid government felt the effects of 
international scrutiny, when the United Nations General Assembly 
adopted a resolution entitled ``Solidarity With the South African 
Political Prisoners.'' I had the honor of representing the United 
States as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations when this 
matter came before the Assembly. The United States delegation presented 
a very strong lawyer-like case against apartheid by documenting 
specific political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, held in South 
Africa and thereby refuting their United Nations Representative's claim 
that not one individual was held in South Africa because of their 
opposition to apartheid.
  Nelson Mandela's crime for which he served 27 years in prison, was to 
advocate equality and democratic reforms. He was finally released 9 
days after President F.W. de Klerk delivered his February 2, 1990 
speech in which he announced that political prisoners would be 
released, the ban on political groups such as the African National 
Congress would be lifted and the intention of the government to 
actively seek a peaceful deconstruction of apartheid. Upon this 
release, Mr. Mandela repeated a statement he made during his 1964 
trail, in which he stated:

       I have fought against white domination, and I have fought 
     against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a 
     democratic and free society in which all persons live 
     together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an 
     ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs 
     be, it is an idea for which I am prepared to die.

  Since then he has worked to fulfill his noble aspiration.
  The United States and others continue to support democratic change in 
appropriate ways. A year later, when the Bush administration proposed 
lifting economic sanctions against South Africa, I stated for the 
record that while de Klerk reforms were a praiseworthy development in 
South Africa, more was needed:

       The reality of apartheid remains and we must not permit the 
     South African Government to believe that it has done enough, 
     that the international community is satisfied. The truth is 
     very different. The South African Government has only just 
     begun to correct the injustice of apartheid and the United 
     States Congress will be monitoring its continued progress 
     closely.

  And we will still be monitoring events in South Africa closely to be 
sure the elections were fair and the transfer of power is smooth and 
according to schedule. As the vestiges of the legally-enforced racist 
policies of apartheid are stripped away, those in South Africa who have 
dedicated their lives to achieving this triumph will hear the applause 
as they join the family of nations committed to democracy, universal 
suffrage and the rule of law. I congratulate the people of South Africa 
on this momentous achievement.

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