FIRST OFF . . .

Paul Simon’s continuing conflict with the African National Congress took a new turn over the weekend. Despite Simon’s claim last month at a London press conference, the singer has not been cleared by the ANC of breaking the cultural boycott of South Africa, according to a statement released Friday by Dali Tambo, son of ANC President Oliver Tambo. The Guardian newspaper in Britain reported that Oliver Tambo endorsed his son’s announcement: “Paul Simon has broken the cultural boycott and in so doing has made a mockery of the suffering of the people of South Africa. He has further added insult to injury by misinforming journalists here and abroad about the attitude of the ANC and the people of South Africa, whom he has at no stage consulted.” Dali Tambo is one of the founders of the British Artists Against Apartheid movement. On Jan. 30, Simon said he had “resolved” his problems, and that the ANC had totally reversed their decision in criticizing his “Graceland” album recorded with black South African musicians. He claimed that the situation would be clarified by the ANC president at a press conference within a few days. Tambo gave no such clarification. Simon, however, was subsequently dropped from the United Nations’ list of artists who have broken its boycott of South Africa.