Page 2, Portland Observer, June 18, 1986
I
Letters to the Editor
■ z ~ -
South African Terrorism and
Reagan’s Responsibility”
Along I be Color Line by Dr. Manning Marable
; Don't Hold Water
j;
Your May 7. 1986 article by Bob
? Lothian. "Israel and South Africa The
; partheid C onnection," in which he
quoted Ihemba Ntinga. a rcpresenta
• live of the African National Congress to
J the U N Observer Mission in New
< York, raised several issues worthy of
5 comment
There is no hasis in fact that "Israel
» is one of the countries most responsible
' for keeping apartheid a liv e ." nor Io any
J o f the "s im ila rity " arguments hetween
•, Israel and South A frica
i
The statements that equate Israel as a
- racist country don't hold water. Condi
lions in Israel and South Africa cannot
be compared Unlike South Africa,
where apartheid is legal. Israeli Arabs
enyiy the right to vote and freedom o f
movement, including the freedom to
reside where they wish and key c iv il
and political rights that black South A f
ricans seek Io extend Israeli citizen
ship to Arabs in the West Bank and
Gaza would necessitate formal Israeli
annexation of these territories
aposi
lion the Israeli Government has not la
ken
Blac k South Africans want full integ
ration in their country — politically and
c iv illy , the situation and goals of the
two groups are fundamentally diffe
rent Furthermore, Israel recently wcl
coined and is assimilating thousands o f
black Ethiopian Jews, removing any
question, if there was one. of its devo
tion Io racial equality
As for the military and economic al-
legations. the facts are otherwise Israel
trades less with South A frica in ab»o
lute terms than Western nations, and
even black African states, according to
the International Monetary bund's /Jr
re c to ry
of
Trade
Yearbook
(Washington. D C 1985)
A congressional research study is
sued in 1984 was unable to find any
evidence that Israel did not adhere to
the 1977 U N embargo on arms sales
to South Africa The emphasis placed
on Israel obscures the fact that Pretoria
is largely self-sufficient m ilitarily.
Lastly, one must look at the histon
cal differences between the two coun
tries Both nations are surmunded by
hostile neighbors The reasons arc ut
terly distinct: Israel faces opposition
from the Arab World because, with the
exception o f Lgypt. no Arab slate is
w illing to publicly recognize Israel's
right to exist This policy dates back to
1948, long before there was the prob
lem of the Palestinians The A ra b Pl.t)
program is not aimed at altering internal
Israeli ethnic relations; its aim is to
e lim in a te Israel
South A fric a 's
neighbors oppisc it because o f its cruel
and unjust policy o f apartheid They do
not claim South African territory as
their own
To draw an historical analogy het
ween the origins o f Israel and the de
velopment of South Africa is to ignore
history Israel's birth was not for col
omzation for profit or proselytism It
was a wish Io overcome European box
Hilly toward Jews. Jewish tradition and
the horrors o f the Holocaust
The roots o f South African apartheid
lie in the South African slave trade ad
ministered by the Dutch East India
Company in the early l7(X)'s Separate
areas were established for the two
races le g a lly mandated residential re
strictions and the pass requirements
provided prototypes for current South
A frican "h o m e la n d s" and "pass
laws
Nowhere in Israel's history can
one find discriminatory legal decrees,
slavery, or doctrinal statements favor
ing inequality
In conclusion let us take a look at
who is hehind the campaign Io link Is
rael and South Africa in a so-called
"alliance " The list includes the Soviet
B loc, the Arab countries, non
governmental organizations such as the
PLO, and the Soviet front World Peace
Council Their aims are Io ( I ) depict
Israel as illegitimate so that it w ill be
ostracized like South Africa and thus
generate support lor the Palestinian
cause, and (2) to undermine the U S
image in the Third World by linking
Israel with South Africa and in tum the
United States, thereby increasing
Soviet influence
Statements which misrepresent lies
between the two states serve only to
divert public attention from the injus
tice being visited on blacks and other
non whites in South Africa
Rosalyn Borg
Area Director
American Jewish Committee.
Portland Chapter
For five years, the Reagan administration has followed a
policy o f "constructive engagement" with the South African
government No divestments from the apartheid state.
Reagan has pleaded, because American corporations some
how exert a positive influence on the racist state's economic
system No sanctions, the President has insisted, because
quiet persuasion is more effective than direct confrontation
Now the world has seen in grim detail the logical consequ
ences o f "construcctive engagement " South A frica's recent
military commando air and ground raids against Zimbabwe.
Botswana and Zambia, were denounced throughout the
world The Reagan administration was probably not upset
about the loss of Africans' lives — it was simply embarrassed
that its covert ally in Pretoria had acted so rashly and in such
an overtly criminal manner Consequently. Reagan promptly
ordered the expulsion o f South Africa's senior military at
tac he from the U S B utthcU S government simultaneously
vetoed efforts at the United Nations to carry out effective
sanctions against the apartheid regime
South Africa also embarrassed Reagan by proudly ju s tify
ing Us military maneuvers by pointing Io the example o f the
American bombing o f I ibya We have only done what you
Americans did in Africa. South African President P W
Botha claims
However, this recent example o f armed, state directed
terrorism has backfired Even inside the apartheid system,
some influential whiles are attempting to divorce themselves
from their government's desperate actions Ihc Johannes
burg Slur termed the raids "irresponsible" and "shortsigh
ted
South Africa's /tu w riru l)a \ journal warned that the
actions could "weaken the economy , delay the long awaited
revival of business and aggravate employment " Since Sep
(ember, 1984. about I .60(1 people have been killed in p o liti
cal violence," and growing numbers of white leaders in the
private sector are recognizing finally that the only resolution
to their crisis is open, political negotiations with the African
National (ongress (A N C l the legitimate representative of
oppressed blacks
I lie raids have nearly destroyed the Commonwealth's
peace efforts in the region A team of negotiators was in
Capetown when the attacks occurred Reportedly, the ANC
had been urged to use its influence to reduce political dc
monstrations and strikes In return, the apartheid regime was
to legalize the ANC and to release imprisoned ANC leader
Nelson Mandela In the wake of these assaults, the ANC has
called for a massive, national strike on June 16 O liver
Tamho. the highest ranking leader o f the ANC in exile, has
declared
le t every university and school he emptied ol its
youth Let every mine, factory, farm and white home be
without labor Let every shop close its doors Let every
community stnke a blow for freedom "
W hat obligations do we have in this campaign for democ
racy and black freedom in South Africa ’ We must organize
solkiantv marches, demonstrations and vigils on June 16.
speaking out against the criminality and immorality of apar
theid Second, these demonstrations should support efforts
by over twenty Congressional Republicans and Democrats to
have more effective sanctions against South Africa The
proposed legislation would hall any new U S investment and
ban bank loans to South African businesses It would halt
U S finns from engaging in construc tion, energy related, or
engineering contracts with apartheid corporations And the
bill also bans the importation o f South African steel, uranium
and coal into the U S
Finally, we must again demand the immediate release of
Nelson Mandela and every political prisoner These steps
might not end the alliance between the Reagamtes and the
apartheid regime President Reagan hears the responsibility
tor these recent murderous assaults against African people,
because he has continued to defend the enmes of apartheid
more than any other politician outside of South Africa But if
we succeed in the next steps, we ll go a long way toward
losering a climate ol strong, external pressure This w ill
culminate in meaningful negotiations, at long last, between
the ANC and the white minority And perhaps in the long
run. this may represent a major transition toward the destruc
tion o f the apartheid system
/<» Monnmc MaruW , » ,« b r io m r P n if r u o r o f P o litic a l Si in t e r and
S o ia d o g i a t P u r .lu e I n n r r t i t i in M t i l lo ta ie llr ln.tianu htfinnm n Ihn
J u li
tiim it the C o lo r l i n t
.ip p ra n in m o rt than I t i ) n r m p a p r n
in itm alion alh
The Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986
Ztv t/ S Hep H lihon, H (,ra\ III
On July 4ih. we w ill celebrate the
100th anniversary ot the Statue o f Lib
erty
America s worldwide symbol ot
freedom and justice
As we celebrate, however, let uv not
forget the over 27 m illion black South
Africans who remain oppressed by the
world s only official government pol
icy tif racism
And let us not lorget our obligation
as a freedom loving people lo eliminate
I micd Slates economic support lor the
repressive apartheid regime in South
Africa
On May 2 I along w uh a coalition of
bipartisan colleagues, I intmduccd ihe
A n u /Apartheid A d ot I986 Ih«- b ill.
HR 4868, would go j long wav toward
removing ibe United Stales as a finan
cier of apartheid
I be legislation would ban all loans lo
South A liic.i
in effect depriving the
apartheid regime ot $1 billion with
which to finance its trade In addition,
the bill would
EDITORIAL/OPINION
Police Bureau Famous Again, for the Wrong Reason
Once again the Portland Police Bureau has be
come famous again for the wrong reasons. The
Bureau is now Itxikcd upon by the entire nation as
sexist The treatment o f former Police Chief Penny
E. Harrington is a classic example o f sexual dis
crimination
During her 22 years with the Bureau, Harrington
had to file numerous c ivil rights suits, accusing the
Bureau o f denying her opportunities because o f her
gender. I ll is came Io a climax when a bias com
mission, right wing extremists with the Bureau,
and a nonsupportive Mayor forced her to resign.
Portland's recognition for having a sexist Police
Bureau is an accurate assessment Eor the Bureau
is already known nationally as being a racist,
brutal, and corrupt organization. The dumping ol
dead oppossums by White officers in the Bureau in
front ot a Black owned restaurant, the distribution
and selling ot the "D o n 't Choke 'E m , Smoke
"*
ill
'
i Oreqoo
. Newspaper
1 Publisher s
Asso» ration
■
■ T
i
1
l.loyd D Stevenson bv White officers; and the
Special Investigation Division (SID) scandal, all
reinforce such a negative perception ot the Bureau
Harrington's treatment by the "W h ite male
dominated Bureau" should become a (allying
point tor feminists and other minorities For het
treatment by the Police Bureau demonstrates what
can happen w hen someone other than a White Male
challenges the "status q u o ."
Equally important, the Portland City Govern
ment Body must move to eradicate the elements ot
racism, sexism, brutality, and corruption in the
Bureau. As elected officials, they are responsible
for the welfare o f its citizens
By continuing to allow such conditions to exist
with the Police Bureau, city politicians are jeopar
dizing the safety ot its citizenry , which is derelic
tion of their duties as elected officials.
Portland Observer
NMPA pe *
Alnca
including Ihe purchase of
shares issued by South African en
tities and traded on stock exchanges
anywhere in the world.
• p ro h ib it I S c o n trib u tio n ot
technology to South A frica's energy
sector, thereby not aiding South A f
ric a 's quest to r energy sell
sufficiency; and,
• ban the iui|s,ri.,i,,„i ,.| uianium . coal
WASSERMAN
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Subacrtmona »15 00 par year In the Tn County area ►oat
m aa ta t Sand addreaa c h a t o n to the PXrrttoad Oftarrw r. P O
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B oi 3137. Portland. Oregon >7208
A t i o c i l l o n - founded I8>5
A lfredi.. Henderson. Editor/Publisher
A l Williams, (renerai Manager
J p ORTWND OBSERVER
• IS to» on«
I?*) for two
Bo■ 3137 Portland OR <P20B
kAt
• ban ail new I S investment in South
Thursday b * Erta PuMWsng Cowpany. Ine.. 1483 N E KBkiga
worth. Portland Oregon >7211. Pxwr Ortica B o i 3117, Portland
Oregon >7308 Second deae pnetage pakl at Portland. Oregon
M fM B tt
■
• deny landing righis to South African
iirciall, making business and oilier
bilateral relations significantly less
convenient;
regime makes changes only when its
economic interests are at slake The
bipartisan coalition sponsoring the
Anu-Apartheid Act o f 1986 believes
Ihal this legislation can apply the proper
leverage lo force Ihe government to
make meaningful reforms and negotiate
a democratic system with black leaders
However, more importantly, it w ill re
duce U S economic fuel for the p o liti
cal engine ol apartheid
We believe the b ill is an important
step forward As Congressman Walter
Eauntroy ( D D C ) . co-chair o f the
Free South Africa Movement and co
leader with Gray o f the congressional
delegation to South Africa Iasi January
noted at its introduction, our b ill " is
strong medicine for a seriously ailing
country "
Randall Robinson, executive d im
tor ol Lransafrtca and co-chair o f the
Free South Africa Movement said,
"Transatrica welcomes the Anu
Apartheid Act ol 1986 as another posi
tive step towards the removal o f inter
national support tor Ihe government ol
South Africa II is our hope that Con
gress ratifies this b ill without d e la y."
T he Anu Apartheid Act o f 1986 may
indeed he strong medicine But it may
he just the elixir ol hope South Africa so
desperately needs
It is essential because instead o f g iv
ing aid and comfort to the regime in
Pretoria, we should he extending our
hand to black leaders who still hold
hope that meaningful change can come
about without even greater violence
And it is essential to us as Americans
i f we are to N: perceived as truly being
on the side o f freedom and justice in
South Africa
"* ' ■
I Tb» Portland Otnmm tUSPS »888801 a pubMvad avatv
,
uee«
’ Em” T-shirts by White officers; the killing ot
• close South A I i k an bank offices in
this country. denying South Africa
lower cost access to U S capital.
and steel, reversing the unfair in
roads South Africa has made into our
coal and sieel industries because o f
its essentially slave labor market
the sanctions would he lifted if
South Africa met two conditions the
release ot political prisoners, including
Nelson Mandela, president ot the ban
ned African National Congress, and the
start of good faith negotiations between
the government and black leaders for a
new political system.
la s t year, an overwhelming biparti
san maginly in Congress look a stand
against apartheid By a vote o f 5X0-48,
my House colleagues approved the
Anu Apartheid Act o l 1985
I he bill was derailed in ihe Senate by
a filibuster But as a result o f the tre
mendous Congressional support tor the
measure. President Reagan issued an
executive order on September 9th
which included a ban on the importa
lion o f krugerrands and a ban on hank
loans lo the Pretoria government
M r Reagan's sanctions have not
slopped (he killin g and maiming o f
thousands ol black South Africans or
the (ailing ot hundreds more The black
death rale in Ihe townships has almost
doubled from 70 a month during the
slate ol emergency to a tragic 150 per
m onth ih is year
G o vernm cnl-
sanctioned segregation is still the law of
the land
In the past two weeks. South Africa
has raided Zimbabwe, Zambia, Bots
wana and Angola These forays into
neighboring black countries de
monstrate that apartheid is not simply
an internal problem but also a threat lo
regional peace
History shows that Ihe South Africa
N a tio n a l A d v e rtis in g R a p ra a a n ta tlv a
, ^ A m a lg a m a te d P ub lishers Inc
N e w York
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