Jackson Tells Dukakis to Change on S. Africa or Face Floor Fight

Jesse Jackson made it clear today that Democratic front-runner Michael S. Dukakis must change his position on South Africa or face the prospect of a floor fight at the Democratic National Convention next month.

Jackson’s threat of an embarrassing convention fight came as Dukakis closed in on the 2,081 delegates needed to clinch the nomination, a mark he is certain to reach Tuesday night in the final four primaries.

Jackson in recent weeks has hinted that he will make a strong stand at the convention on certain issues, including South Africa.

He accused Dukakis of proceeding “rather cautiously and conservatively” and said the Massachusetts governor’s refusal to term South Africa a terrorist state “is a misreading of history. That’s too cautious.”

“If he will not bend on that matter, we’ll simply meet each other on the floor in Atlanta,” he said.

Jackson insists that South Africa should be declared a terrorist state, a designation that would subject the racially divided nation to severe sanctions.

Jackson, in a four-state radio news conference originating in Los Angeles, said he plans to fight for his demands at the Atlanta convention but will do so within the framework of party rules.

“We’re going to use the party’s apparatus. We’re going to use the rules to have fair rules,” he said.