I am grateful to the Deputy for this opportunity to address the question of South Africa and the undeniably positive developments which have been taking place there in recent months. The Government were very much encouraged by the measures announced by President de Klerk on 2 February, in particular the decision to lift with immediate effect the ban on the African National Congress, the Pan-Africanist Congress and the South African Communist Party. We also welcomed the lifting of restrictions on a number of other organisations, including the United Democratic Front and the trade union movement, COSATU. These measures were followed on 11 February by the long overdue release of Nelson Mandela, for which we and the rest of the Twelve had campaigned for many years.
These were all very welcome first steps towards creating a climate in which proper negotiations might eventually take place between the Government and the majority community aimed at establishing a wholly new South Africa, where the rights of all South Africans are respected.
Subsequently, in April, the Minister for Foreign Affairs had the opportunity, along with his Troika colleagues from France and Italy, to visit South Africa. The purpose of the visit was to promote national dialogue. To this end they had discussions with representatives of political parties and other organisations across the political spectrum. They also met with other relevant South African bodies such as the churches and the business community. Their discussions demonstrated the complexity of the South African situation. Foreign Ministers of the Twelve on 18 June will discuss the situation in South Africa in the light of the Troika visit and developments since then.
I believe we can note a number of further positive developments in the period since then. In particular, the Government have welcomed the initiation of "talks about talks" between the Government and the ANC at the beginning of May. The results of these preliminary discussions have been encouraging. Of particular note, perhaps, was the decision to set up a joint working group to define a "political offence". We are hopeful that this may soon lead to the release of all political prisoners, a constant demand of the Twelve over the years.
Legislative action repealing the Separate Amenities Act is likely later this month. The South African Government have also stated their intention to address the Group Areas Act in the next parliamentary session.
Another of the Twelve's fundamental demands over the years has been the lifting of the state of emergency. The Government, therefore, welcome the announcement last week by President de Klerk of its lifting with effect from midnight on 8 June in most parts of the country. We hope that it may not be long before it is also lifted in Natal.
All these measures by the South African Government are to be welcomed and encouraged. There is a spirit abroad in South Africa which would have been unthinkable this time last year. We believe international sanctions have played a role in bringing about the changes we have witnessed so far. The Government are of the view, however, that these changes do not fully meet the criterion established of "profound and irreversible changes" so as to justify a lifting of economic sanctions at this particular juncture. This is the view that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gerard Collins, put to Mr. Nzo when the latter called on him last month and which he will be putting to Foreign Ministers of the Twelve when they meet on 18 June.