B.J. Vorster: Select Speeches
Mr. Vorster said he was satisfied with the progress made in South Africa's detente initiative. He denied that detente was dead and that it had been a waste of time.
He quoted the American Secretary of State, Dr. Henry Kissinger, who said at a recent press conference in Zurich:
"On my visit to Africa in April, all African leaders urged a solution to the problems of Southern Africa through quiet discussions with the Prime Minister of South Africa. Based on these views we initiated contact with the Government of South Africa."
Mr. Vorster continued: "You will note that Dr. Kissinger was advised to have talks with South Africa. This indicates how far, in spite of setbacks, the initiative has actually progressed, and it also proves that it is not true that we ran to the United States.
"Dr. Kissinger personally acknowledges that they took the initiative because, according to the African states, and by implication. Dr. Kissinger accepts that we hold the key in many ways to the solution of Southern Africa's problems."
Replying to a question about whether South Africa's problems were now better understood overseas, Mr. Vorster said he believed the enormous complexity of the problems were better understood abroad than before. In fact, it was realised the problems were more complicated than originally thought.
Asked about the prospect of other homelands opting for independence like Transkei, Mr. Vorster said he had not the slightest doubt that other homeland leaders would follow. "But if they do not want to follow, then it is their own business."
He added: "The South African Government can only play a role by bringing them to self-government. The following logical step - that of independence - they must make themselves. This is in contrast to the situation elsewhere in Africa where violence often had to be used to gain independence. The South African Homelands can get independence on request and it depends entirely on them, when and how they want it."
Mr. Vorster was asked whether consolidation of each homeland on a geographic basis would ever take place.
He replied: "We have to distinguish clearly between two aspects here. One aspect is the purchase of land in terms of the 1936 Law. We are now in the process of complying with the provisions of this Land Act. We try to achieve maximum consolidation but for practical reasons this has not always been possible. But after the land purchase of the 1936 Act have been completed, there can be inter-governmental negotiations. There is nothing prohibiting this.
"This will be inter-governmental agreements between Governments of Black states and our Government, and not the purchase of White ground to give to Black states; and if a distinction is made between these two aspects, then in future, as a result of inter-governmental negotiation, a better consolidation may be achieved."
Asked about the modus vivendi between the Whites, Coloureds and Indians in their common fatherland, the Prime Minister replied that he and his colleagues believed that the solution to this problem would be a Cabinet Council at which consultation with regard to common problems could take place at the highest level between the leaders of these population groups.
He said: "I am expecting a great deal from this Cabinet Council, which will hold its first meeting on September 24, and I think there will be great advantages for all three groups."
Mr. Vorster, replying to a question as to whether there was a place for the urban Blacks in this political structure, said: "The urban Black, when it comes to exercising his political rights, will exercise them in his own state. They have the vote and urban Blacks have made themselves eligible for election to the parliaments of the various Black states. Urban Blacks have served in the Cabinet of Black states and leader of a Black Homeland is an urban Black."
Asked about relationships with urban Blacks, Mr. Vorster said that much had been done to develop the homelands economically so that they could provide work opportunities for the people. But the Black man would always be present in urban areas. "I have dealt with the political aspect. They must exercise their political rights in their homelands. But as regards all those matters which have nothing to do with political rights, negotiations can always take place. This is the policy of the Government."
On Rhodesia and South West Africa, the Prime Minister said it was possible that they would cease to be problem areas, "but only a prophet would dare to say precisely when or how this will occur. I, however, remain optimistic that solutions to the problems will be found."
He said that he could not discuss the Rhodesian problem, but on South West Africa, Mr. Vorster said that South Africa's standpoint was so "inherently fair" - namely that the territory should itself decide its future - that it could in the end not be ignored.
