[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 36 (Monday, September 13, 1993)]
[Page 1712]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.