U.S. Acts Help Soviets--Botha : Calls Sanctions, Probe of Health Care ‘Revolting’

President Pieter W. Botha charged today that the United States is only helping the Soviet Union further its goals in the region by imposing sanctions on South Africa. He called U.S. policy “revolting.”

Botha spoke at the opening of a medical center in his home town of George in Cape province.

He referred to a plan approved by the U.S. Congress to investigate health conditions in black areas of South Africa. The health study was part of recent legislation imposing punitive economic sanctions against South Africa in an attempt to press Botha’s government to abandon apartheid.

Terming the health study plan “insulting,” Botha said: “If the U.S. government is so deeply concerned about the health conditions in Africa, they will find some 50 states to the north of South Africa where they can conduct their investigations . . . and play their moralistic role where it is much more needed.

“The U.S. has already declared an economic war against us for the most absurd and sanctimonious reasons. In doing so they have yet again taken up the sword against us on behalf of the Soviet Union and its goals in this region. I find it revolting and unworthy of a nation such as the United States.”

Of the proposed health study, Botha said the U.S. government “should be under no illusions whatsoever that we will tolerate such blatant hostility and objectionable interference in our domestic affairs.”

On Monday, the government said it had denied a visa to an American official who had planned to investigate malnutrition in South Africa’s 10 tribal homelands.