Reagan to Fight S. Africa Sanctions Despite Rebuff

The Reagan Administration said Friday that it will continue to oppose economic sanctions against South Africa despite a Senate rebuff and added that it is “astonished” at a House vote to limit aid to Mozambique.

The State Department said that legislation approved by the Republican-controlled Senate on an 80-12 vote Thursday night “contained both positive and negative provisions” aimed at ending South Africa’s apartheid policies.

The legislation, a defeat for President Reagan’s policy of “constructive engagement” with the white-supremacist government, would ban new U.S. bank loans to South Africa and curb computer sales. The House has already approved stiffer sanctions, and differences will have to be worked out in a conference committee.

State Department spokesman Bob Smalley said that many of the sanctions in both bills “are harmful to blacks in South Africa and punish U.S. companies” and will reinforce elements in South Africa that are opposed to change.

“We will, therefore, continue to oppose these sanctions as congressional action continues,” he said.

Food Aid Not Affected

In approving a $12.7-billion foreign aid bill Thursday, the House made $15 million in non-food economic aid conditional upon a reduction of Soviet military advisers to 55. Some $10 million in food aid would not be affected.

“We very strongly oppose this action and are particularly astonished that it comes at a time of rapidly improving relations with

Mozambique, a country which is suffering the effects of violence, drought and economic crisis,” Smalley said. He said the Administration “will work forcefully to seek a restoration of the funds.”

Mozambique in southeast Africa, which gained independence from Portugal in 1975, is a one-party Socialist state.

Relations with Washington plunged following Mozambique’s 1981 expulsion of four U.S. diplomats. In 1982, efforts began to improve ties between the countries, and ambassadors were exchanged in 1983. This year, some $50 million to $70 million in food and economic assistance will be sent from Washington.

The Administration is also seeking $18 million in non-lethal military aid for Mozambique in 1986.

Smalley said that the House vote “runs counter to the President’s policy in southern Africa and our commitment to peace and development in the region.”