    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [September 8, 1993]
    [Page 1456]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement by the Press Secretary on Democracy in South Africa
    September 8, 1993

        The President welcomes the historic decision in South Africa to
    establish a transitional executive council in anticipation of South
    Africa's first democratic election next April. He commends all those who
    achieved this important step along the road to a peaceful transition to
    democracy in South Africa and looks forward to the ratification of the
    agreement by South Africa's Parliament next week.
        In separate phone calls this afternoon to State President F.W. de
    Klerk and African National Congress President Nelson Mandela, President
    Clinton congratulated the two leaders on the historic breakthrough and
    said, ``The historic agreement on the transitional executive council
    paves the way for the transition to a multiracial, democratic South
    Africa. The United States will remain a partner in the process of
    building democracy and promoting economic development in South Africa.''
    President Clinton indicated that the United States looks forward to
    announcing a number of new initiatives to support the smooth transition
    to democracy.