Mandela Warns of Violent Option : S. African Blacks May Have ‘No Alternative,’ He Tells President

Brushing aside an appeal by President Bush to pursue his goals through peaceful means, Nelson Mandela said today that South African blacks may have “no alternative” but to resort to violence to achieve racial equality.

Mandela praised U.S. support for the fight against apartheid, describing its value as “beyond words,” and said he would press his case for continued economic sanctions against South Africa during his official talks with Bush.

The deputy president of the African National Congress said his group is committed to achieving its ends peacefully, but he indicated that its patience was not without limits.

“If we are forced to resort to violence, it is because we have no other alternative,” he said. “The methods of political action . . . were determined by the South African government.”

Leaving the White House after three hours, Mandela told reporters that he was “very much encouraged” by the response and support Bush gave him during their talks. He said the two discussed a wide variety of issues, and “we reached broad agreement on almost all of them.”

On the issues over which they disagreed, Mandela said he and the President “narrowed the gaps.” But the African leader refused to provide any detail about the differences.

Assistant Secretary of State Herman Cohen, briefing on Mandela’s discussions with Bush, said U.S. officials were pleased that Mandela has said violence will be suspended so long as negotiations continue with the white government.

But he said U.S. officials pressed Mandela to “go all the way and renounce the armed struggle.” Mandela said he would consider that option, Cohen said. “Everything he has said is fine,” Cohen said.

Earlier, Bush pledged continued support for the black majority in South Africa and called for all parties to work through negotiations--not armed struggle--to achieve a democractic society.

“Sir, we here in America walk in solidarity with all the South Africans who seek through nonviolent means democracy, human rights and freedom,” Bush said.

Bush also said the United States will maintain sanctions until the white government of President Frederik W. de Klerk meets all conditions spelled out in an anti-apartheid law. Those conditions have yet to be met.

Earlier, U.S. officials said $10 million that Congress has allocated for South African groups cannot go to the ANC until it renounces violence.

While his previous stops in New York and Boston were largely celebratory--with hundreds of thousands of supporters attending enthusiastic rallies--Mandela got down to business during his three-day visit to Washington.

The U.S. sanctions, which have had a harsh impact on the South African economy, include a ban on all new U.S. investment and trade embargoes on items such as oil and agricultural products.