Senate Panel Approves Harsh S. Africa Sanctions in 10-9 Vote

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on a 10-9 party-line vote today approved and sent to the Senate floor legislation imposing harsh economic sanctions against white-dominated South Africa.

Immediately after the vote, leading Senate Democrats hailed the action as an important step against South Africa’s system of racial apartheid and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) called on Republican presidential candidate George Bush to reverse course and support it.

“We would certainly welcome his support on this measure,” Kennedy said. “We have welcomed other election-year conversions on the part of Mr. Bush. He has indicated he wanted to broaden his mandate. He has an excellent opportunity to speak to that issue.”

Bush has opposed the legislation, which would impose a near-total trade embargo against South Africa and require the withdrawal of all U.S. business investment six months to a year after enactment. Democratic presidential candidate Michael S. Dukakis has supported the bill.

Sen. Alan Cranston (D-Calif.), a principal author of the sanctions bill, told reporters that if Republicans maintain a solid front against the measure it will be difficult to cut off a threatened filibuster against it or to override a likely veto by President Reagan should it be approved.

He said the Senate’s Democratic leadership might consider attaching the sanctions bill as an amendment to some other legislation in an effort to assure there is a recorded Senate vote on sanctions before Congress adjourns next month.