Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 25, 1993 TAG: 9309250180
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
The Senate voted to rescind a ban on U.S. support for South African loan requests at the International Monetary Fund and to allow the U.S. government to finance American exports to South Africa.
The House was not in session but is expected to approve similar legislation next week.
The Senate action came after Mandela, president of the African National Congress, asked the world community in a United Nations speech to remove all sanctions against South Africa.
"This call from this courageous man who has been one of the principal victims of apartheid means that the leading groups in South Africa now oppose the maintenance of economic sanctions on their country," Clinton said.
On Thursday, South Africa's parliament approved the creation of a multiracial transitional council that for the first time will give the black majority a role in running the country.
After his United Nations speech, Mandela flew to Washington, where he addressed the World Economic Development Congress. He urged the hundreds of delegates to "seize this historic moment" and invest in South Africa.
President Clinton said Mandela's call for the removal of sanctions and the creation of the mixed-race council were "watershed events" in South Africa's movement toward a non-racial democracy.
He also called on U.S. states, counties and cities to move quickly to lift their sanctions. The Senate legislation contained similar language.
Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder on Friday lifted the state's 3-year-old ban on state agencies investing in companies with ties to South Africa.
by CNB