Summary

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON CHRISTINE SHELLEY BRIEFS REPORTERS AND COMMENTS ON SOUTH AFRICA AND THE HEATHROW MORTAR ATTACKS.

Source CONUS Archive
Record ID 244792
Story Slug STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING (1994)
Location WASHINGTON, DC
Format TVD
Date 3/11/1994
Archive Time 24:09
TRT 4:51
Video Description NEWS CONFERENCE
Description STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON CHRISTINE SHELLEY BRIEFS REPORTERS AND COMMENTS ON SOUTH AFRICA AND THE HEATHROW MORTAR ATTACKS.
Script (SUGGESTED TRANSCRIPT OF AUDIO) with with a representative of Bophuthatswana government. Following that meeting, he held a press conference in Pretoria, which he said first that the Bophuthatswana leadership has agreed to participate fully in the transition process, including participation in the transitional Executive Council and the Independent Electoral Commission. The Northwest Christian Democratic Party has registered to contest the elections, apparently subject to an expected approval by the Pootis. One a parliament which I understand will meet next Tuesday, the South African and appointed Bophuthatswana defense forces are in contact with each other. South African Defense Forces I understand are deploying 1005 Somewhere between 1000 502,000 troops to help restore order. The South African government has been in continual contact with the ANC, President de Klerk and Nelson Mandela were scheduled to meet at 10 o'clock AM Washington time to discuss the situation. As to some of the other developments I understand that hundreds of other white right wing militants, reportedly followers of Eugene Terreblanche, his white right wing AWB party have moved into my botou we have reports of that a vehicle carrying white militants was shot at and up to three of the occupants may have been killed. Lucas Mangopay, the so called President of butter Bophuthatswana departed the Capitol by helicopter yesterday and reportedly is in his private farm outside the capitol. Paul Taylor, a reporter for The Washington Post, and John Battersby, a reporter for The Christian Science Monitor were assaulted by right wing followers. We understand they have received medical attention, but they have not been hospitalized. We have reports that other journalists, both foreign and South African have also been harassed or attacked. The United States has never recognized the independence of Bophuthatswana the South African government is responsible for law and order and for the protection of citizens and visitors there. We welcome the South African government's decision to take action in consultation with the transitional executive council to restore law and order and to permit the people of the region to participate in the forthcoming election. We condemn the attacks against the journalists covering the developments and intent. I would add that intimidation of members of the press is completely unacceptable. The recent developments underscored the need to have rapid movement toward a stable constitutional democracy. We again call on all parties to move toward a peaceful transition to democracy and to achieve a full participation in the nation's first non racial elections. The United States and the Republic of Macedonia on that one, I think I probably I'm gonna have to look into that. I think that the No, no final decision on the timing of that has yet two days ago, he said that. There is one meeting with Greek representative here. There was something about well, anything that Clinton might have addressed is jurisdictionally a question for the White House. That's not for me to comment on thing in the last hour or so on the wire. Our Embassy in London is reporting that the British authorities are still investigating this. The provisional IRA did acknowledge responsibility for the March 9 mortar attack at the airport, the United States and the policy question that condemns the criminal terrorist acts that were perpetrated this week at Heathrow they endangered 1000s of innocent lives. As we've stated on on previous occasions, we reject the notion of terrorism as a legitimate political instrument. As to your specific question about about Gerry Adams, Gerry Adams was permitted one limited visa visit to the United States for one specific purpose. We had hoped that it would further the peace process on which the Irish and the British governments have embarked. The United States continues to support the efforts of the Irish and the British government's to respond to the desire of the overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland, for peace and for political progress. And once again, we call upon all parties who claim a legitimate stake in the future of Northern Ireland to unreservedly renounce violence.
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