
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 19, 1990                   TAG: 9006190020
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Cox News Service
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

U.S. WON'T REMOVE S. AFRICAN SANCTIONS YET, OFFICIALS SAY

President Bush won't consider lifting U.S. sanctions until South Africa takes more steps to end apartheid and frees hundreds of political prisoners, White House officials said Monday.

Bush will offer that assurance next week when South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela visits the White House, an administration official said.

Mandela, freed early this year after more than 27 years in South African jails, arrives in New York on Wednesday to begin a 12-day visit to the United States. He is expected to arrive at the White House on June 25 with the same request he has taken to leaders in Europe: Keep the pressure on South Africa to repeal its racial policies.

White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said Monday that "there are no plans" to lift American sanctions "at this time."

He added that Bush cannot remove strictures against South Africa because the conditions in U.S. law "have not been met."

Most important in the eyes of the administration, explained one official, is the freeing of political prisoners. Although some have been released, an undetermined number remain in South Africa's jails.

Before Bush can lift or reduce sanctions, South Africa must not only release jailed dissenters but also fulfill at least three of the four other requirements: Repealing the declaration of a state of emergency in the province of Natal, where harsh police rule continues; removing the remaining bans on political organizations and political activities; repealing the basic laws of apartheid; and negotiating with representatives of the black majority.

by CNB