Clinton Speech Text: South African Violence
Statement By Gov. Clinton on Violence In South Africa
June 29, 1992
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Last week's tragic massacre of more than 40 people, including nine
children, in the black township of Boipatong has led to the suspension
of the negotiations to end apartheid.
Over the past two years, South Africans have made tremendous
progress toward establishing a nonracial democracy. But that goal is
now seriously threatened by the calculated acts of violence that are
ravaging townships such as Boipatong.
We Americans cannot afford to turn a blind eye to South Africa. The
stakes are too high. Thousands of lives, black and white, hang in the
balance. And without peace in South Africa, hopes for the democratic
revolution underway in other parts of the continent are diminshed.
I urge President Bush to convey to President de Klerk in the
strongest terms our concern about continuing reports of violence in
the townships. These reports must be thoroughly investigated and those
responsible for the Boipatong massacre brought to justice.
I hope that our government will also convey to all parties our
belief that immediate steps must be taken to end the violence and
re-establish a climate of trust for negotiations.
Nelson Mandela and the ANC have called on the United Nations
Security Council to convene an emergency session to address the
current crisis in South Africa. I urge our government to encourage the
Secretary General to do so.
End of Statement