[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 27 (Monday, July 12, 1993)]
[Pages 1243-1244]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement by the Press Secretary on the President's Meetings With South 
African Leaders

 July 2, 1993

    The President held separate meetings this afternoon with South 
African State President F.W. de Klerk and African National Congress 
President Nelson Mandela. The meetings lasted about 30 minutes each.
    The two meetings focused on the process of democratic reform in 
South Africa and how the United States can assist that historic process. 
The President expressed his appreciation for the leadership demonstrated 
by both individuals in moving South Africa towards the threshold of a 
nonracial democracy. He expressed particular admiration to President 
Mandela for his courage and dignity through decades of struggle and 
sacrifice against the evils of apartheid and to President de Klerk for 
his wisdom and determination in moving to dismantle that destructive 
system. He welcomed the announcement earlier today of the setting of a 
date for holding the first nonracial elections in South Africa's history 
and the progress made toward creation of a Transitional Executive 
Council (TEC) which will help ensure those elections are free and fair.
    The President welcomed the progress achieved in the negotiations in 
the last few days and commended all those working for a peaceful 
transition to democracy. He pledged that the United States will be a 
full partner in building democracy in South Africa, including continued 
support for programs of voter education and training of election 
monitors. He stressed the need to begin to tackle the cruel legacies of 
apartheid, including economic inequity, unemployment, inadequate 
housing, and poor education for South Africa's nonwhite population. He 
said that the United States will press for a commitment at the G-7 
summit in Tokyo next week to reintegrate South Africa into the world 
economy with agreement on a nonracial democracy.
    The President noted that the administration is working with Congress 
and antiapartheid groups to develop additional support measures once 
negotiations have progressed to the point where it is appro- 

[[Page 1244]]

priate to lift remaining sanctions. Among these measures are negotiation 
of an OPIC investment encouragement agreement, a tax treaty, and a 
housing investment guarantee program. Once the TEC is created, the 
United States will stand ready to support its institutions designed to 
facilitate a smooth transition to democracy.
    The President also underscored the importance of the private sector 
in creating growth and equality in South Africa. He looks forward to the 
day when all South Africans can call for the lifting of remaining 
economic and financial sanctions, including state and local government 
sanctions, and hopes that day will come soon.
    The President also expressed to President de Klerk the deep 
appreciation of the United States for the recent decision by the 
Government of South Africa to forgo development of a space-launch 
vehicle program. He noted that the United States can now look forward to 
cooperation with a democratic South Africa on the peaceful uses of space 
technology.
    The President said that he welcomed the opportunity to celebrate our 
Independence Day by presenting Freedom Awards to Presidents de Klerk and 
Mandela in Philadelphia on Sunday, July 4.

Note: This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.