Brown Opts Out as Possible S. Africa Envoy

Black businessman Robert J. Brown today withdrew his name from consideration to be the next U.S. ambassador to South Africa, saying he wished to avoid further publicity for himself and his family.

“I sincerely thank President Reagan and Secretary (George P.) Shultz for considering me as a nominee for the post of ambassador to South Africa,” Brown said in a statement released at his office here.

“Today I have asked the White House to withdraw my name from further consideration.”

At the White House, presidential spokesman Edward Djerejian said, “We regret that he has withdrawn his name from consideration.”

Brown would have been the first U.S. black to be ambassador to Pretoria and announcement of his nomination had been expected to be the centerpiece of a policy speech on South Africa by Reagan on Tuesday.

Won’t Look at Color

Reagan, asked earlier at a ceremony in Washington if he is committed to naming a black to the post, said, “The man that I will name will be the best one available for the job and I’m not going to look at what color he is.”

Brown had been criticized by labor leaders who alleged that his public relations firm engaged in union-busting activities in North Carolina. In addition, Brown’s ties to a former Nigerian official accused of corruption and business dealings as a head of the “black capitalism” program in the Nixon Administration were questioned.

Djerejian signaled that Reagan, in his speech Tuesday, will not announce any major change in U.S. policy toward South Africa.