Bush May Lift Sanctions in Reassessment

President Bush said Friday he will consider lifting economic sanctions against South Africa as part of a top-to-bottom reassessment of U.S. policy following President Frederik W. de Klerk’s easing of restrictions on black political activity.

“I think when people move in the right direction, it’s certainly timely to review all policy,” Bush told reporters aboard Air Force One on a flight from Washington to Raleigh, N.C., for a speech.

“I view it positively, and I think most people around the world will,” Bush added. “It’s an interesting development.”

De Klerk, in a speech to the South African Parliament, announced an end to the ban on a host of black political organizations, including the African National Congress, and scaled back the 3 1/2-year-old state of emergency; promised to soon free imprisoned black leader Nelson R. Mandela; declared a moratorium on executions, and eased some restrictions on media coverage of anti-government agitation.

Taken together, the steps appear to move South Africa closer in a single day to non-racial government than all of the reforms adopted in the past decade. Nevertheless, they fall short of the action required by U.S. law for relaxation of the sanctions that were enacted over the veto of President Ronald Reagan in 1986.

State Department spokeswoman Margaret Tutwiler said De Klerk’s action lays the groundwork for black-white negotiations over “the process of a peaceful transition to a non-racial, democratic South Africa.” She urged both De Klerk and the black leadership to begin talks at once.

Under the 1986 statute, Bush can lift the sanctions following consultation with congressional leaders if he determines that South Africa has freed Mandela and all other political prisoners and taken at least three of these four steps: repeal of state-of-emergency regulations; an end to the ban on political groups; repeal of an act imposing residential segregation; agreement to hold good-faith negotiations with truly representative members of the black majority.

Tutwiler said none of the conditions have been met entirely, although De Klerk seems to be making progress on all fronts.

Bush made it clear that he is ready to lift the sanctions as soon as he can legally do so.

“I am one who has not favored additional sanctions, so I’m perfectly willing to review things as new developments take place,” the President said. He added that he wants “to see the policy initiatives go forward and the release of Mandela.”

On Capitol Hill, De Klerk’s speech was welcomed by many longtime critics of the Pretoria government, probably indicating that Bush will have little trouble winning congressional support for an end to the sanctions provided the South African government continues its present course.

“It is my hope that President De Klerk’s speech to Parliament represents a true first step toward meaningful negotiations that will lead to the peaceful creation of a democratic South Africa,” Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell (D-Me.) said.

“President De Klerk is setting a new tone and is moving in the right direction,” said Sen. Paul Simon (D-Ill.), chairman of the Foreign Affairs subcommittee specializing in African affairs.

Majority Whip William H. Gray III (D-Pa.), the only black holding a congressional leadership position and an author of the sanctions legislation, called the De Klerk announcement “good news” but cautioned that it is only a declaration of intent.

“The major question remains: When will South Africa’s system of apartheid cease?” he said.

In a written statement issued Thursday as rumors circulated in South Africa that Mandela’s release was near, the White House announced that both the black leader and De Klerk would be invited to visit with Bush in Washington.

On Friday, Bush said, “Mr. Mandela, when free, would be most welcome to come here. And, similarly, Mr. De Klerk.”

At the State Department, Tutwiler reminded reporters that the Administration had been criticized for what detractors considered a too-warm message congratulating De Klerk on his election last year. But she said that De Klerk has kept the promises that originally raised hopes that he intends to change apartheid.

Asked if U.S. policy played a role in De Klerk’s reform program, Tutwiler said, “I would certainly hope that, and believe that the United States has made a difference.”

The U.S. sanctions ban the importation of gold Krugerrand coins; prohibit importation of products of South African state-owned businesses; ban the sale to South Africa of most computers; prohibit loans to the government; prevent U.S. banks from accepting South African government deposits; prohibit the importation of South African uranium and coal, and withdraw landing rights in the United States from the South African airline.

Reagan and Bush, in opposing the sanctions, contended that they would be ineffective, would economically harm South African blacks and would diminish the United States’ ability to influence Pretoria.

Times staff writer Don Shannon contributed to this story.

U.S. SANCTIONS AGAINST PRETORIA

President Bush on Friday indicated he may consider lifting economic sanctions imposed on South Africa. The major restrictions, imposed by statute in 1986, forbid the following: Importing gold Krugerrand coins Importing South African uranium and coal Importing products of South African state-owned businesses Sales of most computers to South Africa Making loans to the government Accepting South African government deposits in banks In addition, landing rights in the United States were withdrawn from the South African airline.