Reviewing Its Race Policies, S. Africa Says

South African leaders told the United States in two days of meetings in Vienna that the Pretoria government, racked by racial violence, is reviewing its policies, U.S. officials said today.

National security adviser Robert McFarlane briefed President Reagan on his return this morning from a private meeting in Vienna on Thursday with South African Foreign Minister Roelof F. (Pik) Botha.

A second meeting between Botha and Assistant Secretary of State Chester Crocker took place today.

White House spokesman Larry Speakes told reporters, “This is a time of considerable activity that is taking place in South Africa, in the South African government in terms of a policy review.

‘Days, Perhaps Weeks’

“To its credit, the South Africans are taking into consideration the views of the United States government and of other countries. We expect this process in South Africa to continue for a matter of days, perhaps weeks.”

Asked whether the South Africans spelled out the kinds of changes in the apartheid laws that they might be considering, Speakes replied, “They discussed some specifics, yes.”

He said, however, that he does not know whether or when any actual policy changes may be announced by the Pretoria government.

A senior Administration official said there is reason to believe that one of the elements of a South African announcement would be opening a dialogue between the government and opposition leaders.

‘Serious Exchanges’

State Department spokesman Bernard Kalb read a statement to reporters that said:

“We’ve had serious exchanges in Vienna with the South African government. These exchanges were important in providing candid U.S. views on the situation in South Africa and the neighboring countries.

“We heard from the South African government officials their perceptions of the situation. This is a time of considerable activity in terms of a South African government policy review. . . .

“We expect the process to go on, and we would be looking for results in the near future. We believe the session was useful in presenting U.S. views.”