Page 2, Portlan Observer, August 21, 1985
Reagan and apartheid: rhetoric vs. reality
EDITORIAL/OPINION
Purl One o f a Two Pari Senes.
Manipulating news
from Nicaragua
"show ” staged by the activists and the San-
dinistas. Evidence? Who needs evidence?
Time and again the press quoted without
comment State Department spokespeople
scolding Witness for Peace for going into an
area that the U.S. government had warned was
unsafe. The Washington Post suggested they
were “ looking for trouble." This blame-the-
victim reporting was distinctly absent during
coverage of the attack on the Marines in San
Salvador. What editorial writer would have been
so bold as to assert that the U.S. government
was guilty o f murder for sending U.S. soldiers
into a country at war?
The contra kidnappers were always referred
to with respect by the media. They were an " in
dependent
anti-communist
group
of
Nicaraguans,” "Nicaraguan rebels,” “ U.S.-
backed rebels," "rebel forces” or, perhaps to
stir the patriotic juices, "P ro American
Nicaraguan rebels.” Never once were they called
terrorists. O f course not, for that might leave the
impression that the contras were the bad guys.
Significantly left out o f most coverage (The
Oregonian never mentioned it; the New York
Times buried it in the 12th paragraph of a long
article) was the Nicaraguan government's
suggestion that the kidnapping incident demon
strated once again the need for an inter
nationally supervised demilitarized zone bet
ween Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Was this no,
reported because it would tend to challenge the
carefully nurtured image of the Sandinistas as
the aggressors in Central America?
O f course all these distortions and omissions
were to be expected. The corporate-owned press
in this country has proven that it can stand mute
while the U.S. carries out against El Salvador
the heaviest aerial bombardment in the history
of the Western Hemisphere, and that it can wat
ch as thousands of civilians are slaughtered in
Nicaragua by U.S.-backed marauders. Is this
the institution we should look to for truth and
objectivity? I think not.
hy B ill Bigelow
It comes as no surprise any longer when the
corporate-controlled national and local media
cover events in Nicaragua with a blatant dis
regard for truth. Sometimes activities there
which might reveal a positive image o f the San-
dinistas or indicate their widespread support,
such as the 20-milc march of 70,000
Nicaraguans last June are simply ignored. Other
times the media become mere mouthpieces for
the Reagan Administration, as in the viciously
distorted coverage of last year’s election.
More recently we were treated to a somewhat
more subtle manipulation o f the news. Recall
the Witness for Peace activists who were fired
upon, then captured by contras as the group’s
boat motored up the San Juan River on the
Nicaraguan-Costa Rican border. This kidnap
ping came on the heels of the hijacking of the
I WA jet with Americans aboard in the Middle
East and the killing o f U.S. Marines by
guerrillas in San Salvador. Both these events
were attacked in the media and by the ad
ministration as "terrorist” outrages committee
by power-mad thugs.
But what o f the kidnapping of unarmed
American religious activists by Nicaraguan con
tras? You can imagine possible headlines,
especially given the emotional climate in the
U.S.: "C ontra Terrorists Kidnap Unarmed
Americans” , or "Contras Hold U.S. Church-
people Hostage," or how about, "Terrorists
Strike a, Americans Again.” The press had a
decision: Do we or don’t we link the contras to
international terrorism?
But the press had no intention to discredit the
contras. Instead, they adopted a tone o f skep
ticism and " it ain’t no big deal.” Thus from the
very beginning it was the "claim ed” or
"alleged" kidnapping, even though it was ap
parent that the Witness for Peace travellers
were, in fact, being held at gunpoint against
their will. Faithfully reported were contra leader
I den Pastora’s assertions that the incident was a
EDITORI AL/COMMENTARY
President Reagan should stop
constructive engagement
policies in South Africa
the world a nation whose Constitu
tion slates that all men are created
equal and claims to support human
rights—to be on the side o f a
government which does not respect
any o f these beliefs is hypocritical.
Instead o f supporting the repressive
regime, the President should cut o ff
all ties with South Africa and impose
a total trade embargo. I his can be
done by executive order. This is what
Reagan did when he slapped a trade
embargo on the elected government
o f Nicaragua A trade embargo was
put on Nicaragua because o f the
alleged attempts to export their revo
lution elsewhere in Central America
and the establishment o f m ilitary ties
with Iran.
The President ignores or fails to
realize the fact that the racist policies
o f the South African government are
worse than the alleged charges made
against the Nicaragua government,
the President only needs to review
the history ot South A frica to see that
by Jerry Garner
t he Reagan Administration should
cease its policy o f Constructive En
gagement with the government o f
South A frica. I he daily violence and
killings in South Africa we are
slewing on our local news is partially
the result ol the President's polity
towards Pretoria.
this nation should he ashamed for
supporting the most inhumane, racist,
and repressive government since the
tune ot A dolf Hitler Constructive
I ngagement has strengthened this evil
regime hy financing tire system o f
Apartheid, resulting in millions o f
people having no basic human rights
such as the right to vote, to live and
work where they chose, to own a
business or trade, to live with their
families, tust because their skin
happens to he black.
I or any nation, especially the
United Stales, which regards itself as
(lie keeper o f DemiKracy throughout
fpORTWNDOBSEDER
this government has always used
violence as a means ol denying the
basic human rights o f non whites.
1 roin |7«W to 1900, whiles and non
whites have fought nine major wars in
South Alrica. the Afrikaners, in a
single battle during the (neat Irek,
killed f.ildti Zulus at Blood River. At
the present, the tenth war is occurring
in South A ftica I he I tilled Slates, so
lar, has supported the Afrikaners in
the war against the non whiles
I he Reagan Administration should
follow the advice ol W mine Mandela,
wife ot the Black leader Nelson
Mandela who has been imprisoned
since !**►* Mrs. Mandela stated,
"W e are tired ot being well ted slaves.
We want to fight lor our freedom on
empty bellies. Stop sustaining and
maintaining Apartheid Again, the
white man prescribes for us. He tells
us we will sutler, as if we have not
been suffering " President Reagan,
are you listening?
$15 for one
$?5 for two years
I
H V Portland OR 9 J«***
k
Apt
A long the C olor Line by D r Manning Marable
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Has
Ronald
Reagan
finally
repudiated his cordial relationship
with the white m inority regime in
South Africa? Certainly that’s the
general impression the Reagan A d
ministration has tried to convey to the
American public during the past two
months.
The state o f emergency initiated by
the apartheid government, escalation
o f violence and mass arrests since July
have shocked the world, and have
heightened American concerav about
U.S. economic and political links with
South Africa. A t the forefront o f the
anti-apartheid "rhetorical assault"
have been Reaganitcs.
"Apartheid is abhorrent to the gov
ernment and the people o f the United
Slates,” declared Maureen Reagan
before the U .N .’s international
women's conference in Nairobi. “ In
addition to its demeaning and des
tructive effect on the Black people o f
South A fric a ," she slated, "its effects
upon women are especially severe.”
"A partheid is an affront to every
thing we believe in ," said Secretary o f
State George Shultz at a Foreign Pol
icy Conference for leaders o f
National M inority and Women's O r
ganizations, held in Washington on
July 24 Speaking with the fervor o f a
late convert, Shultz affirmed that the
apartheid system would be destroyed.
" I he only question to be determined
is how it will come about. What we
arc trying to achieve is an end point o f
change, o f citizenship, o f freedom ."
When South A frica President P.W.
Botha rejected a call by Nobel Prize
winner Bishop Desmond Tutu for
constructive negotiations on July 29,
the U.S. government was quick to
voice objections "W e believe South
Africa's internal situation is such that
a meeting between the State President
and important Black leaders is imper
ative," declared Charles Redman, a
Stale
Department
spokesman.
"Dialogue is the only way out o f the
crisis South A frica faces.”
There is an old tradition among
American politicians o f both parties
to say one thing and to do the
opposite. The Reagan Administration
has not abandoned its economic al
liance
with
Pretoria—termed
"constructive engagement." Rather,
it has been forced to accomodate itself
to the general anti apartheid senti
men I o f domestic and international
opinion through rhetorical diversions.
The United States government was
shocked when France suspended all
new investments in South Africa and
recalled its Ambassador. It was less
stunned, but still upset, when the con
servative British Foreign Secretary,
Sir Geoffrey Howe, demanded that
South Africa halt its stale o f emer
gency, free African National Con
gress leader Nelson Mandela, and
all o f its political prisoners. Shultz
indirectly criticized the French gov
ernment, maintaining that U.S.
corporate investment was essential for
"influence and leverage " Economic
sanctions, he insisted, would not lead
to racial reforms inside South Africa.
Not coincidentally, this is exactly the
position o f P.W. Botha. To call for
disinvestment inside South A frica is a
crime, punishable with imprisonment,
less than two percent o f South
A frica ’s entire nonwhite labor force is
employed
by
American
firms.
However, the total U.S. financial
connections with apartheid, including
U.S. bank loans, amounts to nearly
Dr. Manning Marable leaches po
litical sociology at Colgate University,
Hamilton, New York.
Letters to the Editor
To the Editor,
Thank you very much for your
thoughtful coverage o f the Portland
I '«immunity College election I per
sonally appreciate the assistance you
have given the college in getting in fo r
mation to the public about our
programs as well as our elections.
As you know, the college offers
many opportunities to members o f
this community. The newspaper plays
an important role in letting people
know about the classes and activities
ol the schixil.
Portland ( «immunity College is an
excellent institution and one in which
our community should take pride. Il
has placed an im jxirtant role in my
personal and professional life I have
gained much from my six year in
volvement in this community and
leave many gixxl friends. I have
grown professionally and now look
forward to a new challenge
Sincerely,
JO H N H ANTHONY
lyesulenl
To the Editor,
A local group called SAVE has begun
collecting signatures on a lobby-state
merit urging the Portland City
Council to take action which will
reduce the number o f afxirtions which
occur out o f economic necessity.
The fact o f the matter is that the
economic systems o f Portland and
this nation leave many in a constant
life and death struggle. Women and
minorities are especially hard hit, with
discrimination adding injury
to
injury. One result o f this is that the
economically deprived
must do
without Sometimes it’s do without
new shoes for a child, sometimes it ’s
do without contraceptive gel (at $3.49
a tube), sometimes it ’s do w ithout an
adequate diet during pregnancy, and
sometimes it means getting an abor-
tion because there are no other
choices.
Here are some striking facts.
According to the Oregon Health De
partment whites have the highest rate
o f abortions for initial pregnancies.
Blacks have the lowest. Nonetheless,
Blacks end up with the highest overall
rate o f abortion because many second
and third pregnancies are terminated.
Such statistics may indicate that many
whites use abortion as a form o f birth
control, whereas many Blacks have
abortions in reaction to the costs o f
pregnancy and child care.
This city spends tens o f millions o f
dollars building music-halls and
courthouse squares. By comparison
nothing is done to prevent abortions,
or undercut the economic causers o f
abortion. SAVE is urging the City
Council to declare Portland a Pro-
choice Abortion-free Zone. The plan
calls for a resolution against laws
restricting the woman's right to
choose abortion as well as for City
funding o f birth-control programs,
pre-natal care, crisis counseling,
adoption services, and child support,
all o f which are directed at reducing
the number «if abortions in Portland
To the Editor,
This is to inform your readers o f a
petition to be launched across the
state this month.
The "Save Antelope Committee"
is organizing a petition drive to dis
incorporate the City o f Rajneesh
(formerly Antelope).
A 20-person advisory board makes
up the Committee, consisting o f resi
dents, property owners, former
Antelope Council members and con
cerned citizens throughout the state.
The petition would place an issue
on the state ballot to repeal the
Rajneesh’s City Charter and dissolve
the city's assets.
Chief sponsors o f the Initiative are
State
Representative
Wayne
l aw bush, Stale Representative Dave
Me I eague and John Silvcrtooth
Stewart, former Antelope Council
man. W ilhani Gatchel is executive d ir
ector
of
the
“ Save Antelope
Committee."
Presently funds are being raised for
this petition effort. Contributions
may be sent to P.O. Box 66,
Antelope, Oregon 97001.
Sincerely,
D A R I E EN OSRORNE
JEEEREYJ. UDDICOAT
Corrections
by Nathaniel Scott
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A m « tfltm » i« d P u b lit h .r t Ine
n « w Y o rk
In the article "G o rd ly sees A frica
first hand" (August 14), the statement
"Am erican Friends Services D ivi
sion" should have read "A m erican
Friend Services C om m ittee." Gordly
was only stopped two times at the
point o f a gun and one o f those times
white S«'uih A frican police were
involved. Once border guards were
involved and the other time she
assumed the non-uniform pers«innel
were policemen. And Traskei, not
Lesotho, which is not in South
Africa, is where she was "indignant
ly " treated.
Bishop D «m ond Tutu greets superstar Stevi* Wonder on his visit to
Los Angeles after Wonder's music was banned by the South A’ rican
Broadcasting Corporation.
(Photo Nareshimah Oseil
v •
2
He
1/
S I5 billion. The Reagan Adm inistra
tion’ s actions are designed to protect
corporate profits, not to save lives or
to achieve democracy in South
Africa.
In June, the House o f Represen
tatives voted by a margin o f 297-to-
127 to accept the Gray-Kennedy bill.
The measure would ban all new loans
and investment in South Africa, stop
the importation o f krugerrands, and
halt the sale o f computer equipment
to the regime The response o f the
Rcaganilcs was tw o fo ld . The Repub
lican-controlled Senate came up with
an attenuated measure which pro
posed limited sanctions, subject to the
President’s judgement. Republicans
hinted that Reagan might veto the
House bill And to back up this
threat, party veteran Barry Goldwater
was prompted to declare: " I t is a
blight on the United States for us to
take this action against a friend, an
ally in every war we fought.”
Goldwater’s assertion was, at best,
an historical distortion. The founders
o f apartheid's ruling party were
openly sympathetic to Hitler. Former
South African prime minister B.J.
Voster was a leader o f a pro-Nazi
terrorist group, and B.W'. Botha was
a leader o f the Pro-fascist Afrikaner
National Party. The political econo
my o f apartheid today, including its
secret police and systemic uses o f ter
ror, closely approximates Nazi Ger
many. Despite its anti-apartheid rhe
toric, the Reagan Administration
clearly prefers fascism over democra
cy in South Africa.
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