U.N. Chief Urges Force of 30 South Africa Observers

Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali recommended Friday that about 30 U.N. observers be stationed in South Africa to work closely with the National Peace Secretariat set up last September under an all-party peace accord.

The recommendation was part of an eagerly-awaited report requested by the Security Council for ending violence in South Africa and resuming its move toward non-racial democracy.

Boutros-Ghali said the number of U.N. observers could be supplemented with others from organizations including the European Community, the Organization of African Unity and the Commonwealth.

The observer force was a key recommendation made in a report based on talks with a wide range of parties and groups held by the U.N. chief’s special representative, former U.S. Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, who recently led a mission to South Africa.

Vance was appointed in response to a Security Council resolution asking for recommendations for ending the violence that has taken thousands of lives, especially in black townships, and for creating conditions for a resumption of negotiations for a democratic, non-racial, united country.

A Convention for a Democratic South Africa, aimed at a transition to non-racial rule, collapsed earlier this year.

The African National Congress and its allies, led by Nelson Mandela, last week held strikes and other pro-democracy protests.

The National Peace Secretariat was established together with a National Peace Committee under a National Peace Accord signed Sept. 14, 1991, which provides a framework for ending violence that has racked the country, particularly black townships.

The accord was signed by all of the major political parties, the trade unions, religious and civic organizations. It includes a code of conduct for political parties and organizations.