Reagan Held Ready to Reject S. Africa Curbs

Despite a growing clamor on Capitol Hill for tough new measures against South Africa, President Reagan intends to reaffirm his opposition to such punitive action when he delivers a long-awaited speech on the subject this week, Administration officials said Saturday.

Reagan is scheduled to announce the results of a review of South Africa policy in a White House address Tuesday.

The President had been expected to announce some additional limited sanctions--such as ending U.S. landing rights for South African airliners and reducing the number of American diplomatic personnel in Pretoria. However, the officials said Saturday that he will basically reaffirm the existing “constructive engagement” policy of quiet pressure to bring about change in South Africa.

Problem on Black Envoy

Moreover, the officials said the expected appointment of North Carolina businessman Robert J. Brown as the first black ambassador to South Africa has run into severe problems and may have to be scrapped.

Reagan had favored the appointment of Brown to register his opposition to apartheid, South Africa’s system of racial separation and white-led minority rule, and to underscore his commitment to racial equality.

Although the White House had not formally nominated Brown, withdrawal of his name would result in certain embarrassment for the Administration--and strip Reagan of a substantial element with which to answer critics accusing him of inaction.

The officials refused to comment directly on reports that Reagan had already decided against appointing Brown. But they confirmed that the nomination--believed to be a virtual certainty late last week--was being reconsidered.

Brown, 51, a public relations and management consultant of High Point, N.C., served as liaison officer to the black community in the administration of former President Richard M. Nixon. He drew wide praise for his ability to negotiate difficult situations and bridge racial gaps.

But some black leaders, accusing the Administration of practicing symbolism and tokenism, have urged Brown to reject the appointment unless it is accompanied by substantial changes in U.S. policy toward South Africa. Their reaction undercut the Administration’s hopes that naming Brown would help to defuse some of the calls in Congress and elsewhere for tough new sanctions.

Questions on Business

Although officials refused to discuss what may have led to the deterioration of the Administration’s support for Brown’s nomination, questions reportedly arose involving his business dealings.

In 1973, after leaving the White House, Brown was awarded a government contract after being certified as “disadvantaged” by the Small Business Administration. But an investigation by the Small Business Administration found later that the contract, which was reserved for a minority-run company, was actually administered by a white businessman.

In addition, the Washington Post on Saturday reported rumors concerning Brown’s alleged role in deals to sell rice to Nigeria. The rumors, which were described as “vague,” nevertheless specifically cited Brown’s relationship with Umaru Dikko, a former Nigerian Cabinet minister who fled after a 1983 coup and was accused of massive corruption and theft.

Brown, however, denied any involvement in rice sales and was quoted as saying that he served only as a political consultant to Dikko.

Shultz to Discuss Policy

His diplomatic appointment had been expected to be a key element of the President’s address Tuesday. The day after the speech, Secretary of State George P. Shultz is scheduled to discuss the details of the Administration’s policy during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. State Department officials concede that Shultz may be in for a difficult morning.

Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.), committee chairman, said last week that he hoped the Administration would toughen its stand toward Pretoria. Lugar has said that it will be very difficult to head off more stringent measures in Congress if the Administration does not take stern action on its own.

One official suggested that the Administration may authorize contacts with the leadership of the African National Congress. Although low-level U.S. diplomats have met with functionaries of the congress, there have been no contacts with the organization’s leaders. The organization, which has vowed to bring an end to apartheid, is outlawed in South Africa.

Shultz discussed the South Africa situation Thursday with British Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe. Britain, like the United States, is resisting calls for sanctions against the Pretoria regime.