    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [June 20, 1991]
    [Pages 701-702]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following Discussions With Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, Chief
    Minister of South Africa's KwaZulu Homeland and Leader of the Inkatha
    Freedom Party
    June 20, 1991

        The President. Let me just say that we've had a very engaging and
    interesting meeting with the Chief Minister Buthelezi. He and I were
    reminiscing, and I think this is my fifth meeting, at least, with him
    over the last few years. And I've found this one perhaps the most
    constructive in terms of getting up-to-date from him on developments in
    South Africa.
        We talked about the sanctions question. We talked about a wide array
    of other questions, including the state of play in negotiations. And we
    have a very good feeling now. He agrees with us that dramatic progress
    has been made--or we agree with him on that. We both agree that more
    progress must be made.
        I told him of our policy. Our law is very clear that when five
    conditions are met, we will lift sanctions. And I don't want to put
    words in his mouth, but I believe the Chief Minister feels this would be
    the constructive approach to take in terms of jobs and investment and
    many other things.
        So, we once again have had a very good, productive meeting where we
    agree on perhaps the most important questions facing relations between
    this country and South Africa.
        Chief Minister, it's been a joy to have you here once again, sir.
        The Chief Minister. Thank you, Mr. President. Good afternoon, ladies
    and gentlemen. I just want to say that I'm very honored, indeed, to be
    here. And I'm pleased to have once again, as the President said, the
    opportunity to meet with the President. We had positive and fruitful
    discussions about the future of South Africa.
        We in the Inkatha Freedom Party and the majority, I think, of all
    South Africans share the fundamental values upon which this great
    democracy is based: individual liberty, human dignity, and a just
    society based on just laws.
        This meeting comes at an auspicious moment as legislated apartheid
    has been scrapped. And South Africa now faces the great challenge of
    ensuring a peaceful transition to a multiparty democracy.
        As we are witnessing around the world, transitions to democracy are
    the most delicate time in the life of nations. And those such
    transitions are happening at an unprecedented pace, from Eastern Europe
    to Africa. None, in fact, are assured of success without careful
    preparation of democratic structures and democratic ethos in the
    society.
        This delicate task cannot be accomplished on the base of one or two
    parties alone. They cannot just be bipolar, especially in complex
    societies such as that of ours in South Africa. Authentic democracies
    have numerous voices and numerous visions, all of which must be heard.
    We look forward to engaging other parties in political debate, but
    stress that this engagement must take place in the political arena, not
    in

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    the streets. Ours must be a politics of negotiation, not a politics of
    coercion.
        We abhor the violence which has continued to rack our land because
    it has no place in the fashioning of democracy, and it must be rejected
    unequivocally by all parties. Intimidation and armed struggle must be
    rejected in favor of dialog and consensus. A free and democratic South
    Africa will face many challenges as it strives to overcome the half-
    century lost to the evil of apartheid.
        Half of our population, ladies and gentlemen, is under the age of
    15. They will need education; they will need jobs; they will need health
    care and the basic tools of life if there is to be the growth and
    stability democracy requires. There must be a redistribution of wealth
    brought about by the redistribution of opportunity. This means the
    creation of jobs and the encouragement of investment.
        Africa is a desperately poor continent which is only now beginning
    to join the movement toward multipartyism, markets, and growth. South
    Africa's potential to play a supportive role in Africa can only be
    realized once our own future is secured.
        The wide world--worldwide, rather, trend towards freedom is our
    inspiration, and the role of the United States has played in this is a
    very great one and a very important one. We now ask that the United
    States help us to craft a new democracy in the same generous and
    evenhanded spirit it has displayed elsewhere, and that you continue to
    stand by our people as we strive to rebuild our nation. We have
    struggled and many have died to overcome apartheid so that our children
    may live free in the country of our forefathers and that they may learn
    to love peace and protect the fruit of our efforts, liberty.
        I thank you, Mr. President.

                        Note: The President spoke at 1:17 p.m. at the South
                            Portico of the White House. Prior to his
                            remarks, the President and the Chief Minister
                            met privately in the Oval Office and with U.S.
                            and Inkatha officials in the Cabinet Room, and
                            then attended a luncheon in the Old Family
                            Dining Room.