Australia Recalls Envoy

Australia today recalled its ambassador from South Africa to protest the nation’s state of emergency and harsh crackdown on black demonstrators, and said it is reviewing its relations with the white minority government.

Bill Hayden, Australia’s foreign affairs minister, said Ambassador Robert Birch was being recalled for “consultations and advice concerning the government’s review of its various forms of contact with South Africa.”

Hayden said a review of Australia’s relations with South Africa had been under way since June 3 and included “what initiatives . . . would be effective in driving home to the South African government that apartheid is an unacceptable policy.”