De Klerk Bars Black Rule in S. Africa : Apartheid: President opens parliamentary debate with vow to end racial segregation.

President Frederik W. de Klerk today rejected black majority rule in South Africa but said apartheid must end.

At the start of a four-day parliamentary debate, he promised to create “a new and just South Africa.” But he did not announce new measures to dismantle apartheid, the 42-year-old system of racial segregation that has made the republic an international outcast.

He demanded an “unequivocal commitment” from the African National Congress of Nelson R. Mandela to give up violence in its struggle against white minority rule.

De Klerk, who freed Mandela from 27 years in jail and legalized the ANC and other anti-apartheid groups two months ago, made clear that he sees no future for the existing apartheid-based system which separates whites, blacks, Indians, and people of mixed race to perpetuate white power.

“The new South Africa will belong to all its people, will offer complete freedom, security and prosperity . . . (and) will not fall prey to a section of the population,” he declared.

His National Party will reject majority rule in forthcoming negotiations with black leaders.

“We believe majority rule is not suitable for a country like South Africa because it leads to domination and even to the oppression of minorities,” he said.

“Majority rule offers a solution only to whomever might form the majority, but holds great dangers for minority rights and values.

“We are convinced that power-sharing based on full participation by everyone, as well as protection against domination, is the only workable answer.”