LAST WEEK saw the unusual sight of the British and South African governments trading insults. On the one hand this arose when six oppositionists took refuge from the regime in the Durban British consulate on 13 September.
then refused governmenl 'businessmen', African Defence Corps, who were due to stand trial in Coventry for arms smuggling.
They are accused of illegally exporting sophisticated parts for an antiradar working HASIC behalf SYSICHE of Armscor, the South African detente production procurement agency.
Coventry CHAJA trate originally confiscated Inel pasports. decision was overturned leave the country by High Court Leonard, who doubled bail and accepted assurances they trial.
The South African government explained the four were not returning because. refusal expel the six from the Consulate British foreign office minister Baroness young said that the government deplored the attempt link the two issues and exIn a tit for tat response the South African extradite four including a colonel in the South plained that the situation at the •Durban consulate Wab not of the British government's choosing.
he reaffirmed that the six leave against their will.
Obviously the South Africans used the consular occupation as convenient way of avoiding emthrough detailed revelations AVULL activities. Cerainly a few collaborator: in Britain would have been exposed.
By the weekend, South Africa seemed to be seekrapid resolution of the affair.
On Wednesday last week five of those accused with the refugees were released detention. This led to speculation that the six in the consulate if they were prepared to cune out.
Attention focussed on this affair somewhat overshadowed the continuing social crisis South Africa. The miners' strike. scheduled for the second week or ine monl, wa: settled by an offer half way between the orieina claim of 25 per cent and Chamber Mines opening offer of 12 per cent.
Given the present depressed price of gold that was a good result foi the union which held intact throughout the negotiations. It will now doubless spread its membership beyond the DICOCLI cent of South Africa's half million miners and be back for nore men ved Meantime the Vaal townships, scene of the big protests against the elecions earlier in the montth. have 90,000 strong high school boycott and the beginning of the new term.
bome commentators have speculated that last weeks diplomatic standoff heralds 'tougher' approach by Britain to South Africa. It's that political LIEC economic developments over the past few months have shown white supremacy in the Republic has a potentially very short lite.
such circumstances the eadins imperialist countries will aim to cut for influence with the CULLEN " future black leadership. Al a certain stage that could even mean against the minority regime.
But this would be a far more dangerous enterprise in South Africa than it was Zimbabwe Firstly the leadership of the struggle is deep in the townships, mines and factories rather based outside the country Within South Africa it daily comes up IN SOUTH Vol 1, No 2/3 out now — double issue priced - the Nkomati Accords analysed • Articles on the trade unions, and more...
Azania Worker. BM Box 4863, London WCI 3XX
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Socialist Action 5 October 1984 local people, not weal manoeuvres take place in local council chambers Take Liverpool. They didn't refuse muCe Patrick Jenkin, but they realised the vulcollie would be determined by Whatever we decide, we have to take seriously question OTI loan repayments. This is the single biggest expenditure of all local authorities. we are demanding money from central government We would deal with rates by setting the smallest possible rate.
Last July, every councillor Hackney this