South African History Online

Paris, France, 6 June 1990

Mr. President and Madame Mitterand,
Members of the French
Government,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Representatives of the People
of France and Citizens of the Republic:

Mr. President, thank you for your warm words of welcome. Your words are a
reflection of the support given to our struggle by the people of France. This
support has sustained us throughout the extremely difficult decades of struggle.

Mr. President:

It is, we believe appropriate that my first words on French soil should be
delivered at this historic human rights court. The concept of human rights is
synonymous with the French revolution. If I had not be in France, together with
my President, Oliver Tambo, to participate in the activities marking its
bicentenary. The French revolution helped to change the course of world history.
Yet two hundred years after your glorious revolution, the people of South Africa
do not as yet enjoy elementary human rights.

For 27 years, with other patriots, we suffered imprisonment for demanding and
fighting for human rights. Today, we are able speak to you because millions of
people throughout the world, including you, Mr. President, and the French people
as a whole, fought for our release. Poets, Artists, Musicians, Writers and
Cultural Workers, Political parties, Trade Unions, the Church and other forces
in France, both Black and White, have honoured me in various ways. I wish to
express to them and the people of France my deepest gratitude for this support.
It was and remains support and solidarity for the struggle for a United,
non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa.

Due to the mass struggles of our people and the support of the international
community, we can say with confidence that victory is in sight. But as in a
marathon race, the last mile can prove to be the most difficult. We need to
travel that last mile together in order to bring to an end this shameful blot on
human relations. As long as apartheid is in place, our people will continue to
suffer its human consequences. It is therefore in the interest of all South
Africans, Black and White, indeed of all humanity, that we bring to a speedy end
the system of apartheid.

Last month we met with representatives of the South African government. We
have agreed that obstacles to a negotiated solution should bee removed without
delay. This entails the release of all political prisoners and detainees, the
return of exiles, the lifting of the State of Emergency and the removal of all
repressive legislation which prevents open and legal political activities. We
are determined that this agreement should be implemented as a matter of urgency.
We count on your continued support for the realisation of this objective.

The South African government has conceded that apartheid can no longer be
sustained and has no place in South Africa or anywhere else in the world. They
have also recognised that they should deal with the ANC as equals. We do not
doubt their integrity on these issues. But the main pillar of apartheid, the
system of White minority domination in place.

The objective of the democratic transformation of South Africa has yet not
been achieved. The ideals enshrined in the declaration on the rights of man and
citizen have still not been realised.

Mr. President and Dear Friends:

It should be clear from our history and the sacrifices of our people that
repression, prison, torture and even death and massacres can never halt the
tidal wave of millions upon millions who struggle for human rights and an end to
apartheid. Indeed, the assassination of our representative, Dulcie September, in
this very city, served to strengthen the resolve of these millions to bring the
apartheid system of terror to an end, without delay.

In the course of our long, bitter and bloody struggle, we have developed a
bond between the people of South Africa and the people of France. We are
absolutely convinced that in a post-apartheid South Africa, the friendship,
solidarity and cooperation between our two peoples will assume a permanent
character.

We therefore call on you to make your vital contribution to bringing to an
end this crime against humanity. Apartheid has persisted for too long. Apartheid
has destroyed too many lives. Apartheid must go. It must go now.