PM Transcripts

FOR MEDIA 28 MAY 1986 9'
Cabinet todiay considered the implications of the recent South
African raids on Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Federal
Government condemns the South African actions in the strongest
terms. It is impossible to justify such arrogant violation of
the sovereignty and territorial integrity of South Africa's
neighbouring states. The situation in southern Africa demands
an end to apartheid and a suspension of violence on all sides.
The attacks have severely bruised the initiative taken through
the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group to facilitate dialogue
between black and white South Africans. it would be a tragedy
if this widely commended attempt to negotiate a settlement
were to founder because of South Africa's actions.
The Australian Government is eagerly awaiting the Eminent
Persons Group's further assessment of its position. The Group
is to meet in London in early June. The Group is expecting a
response from the South African Government by that time t.
proposals which it has advanced.
The Group is looking forward also to receiving views from the
African National Congress.
if as a result of South African intransigence the Eminent
Persons Group were indeed shown to fail, Australia would hold
the South African Government responsible.
In that event the Australia n Government will move quickly to
accelerate its consideration of further possible economic
measures against South Africa.
These would necessarily include the list of measures
identified in the so-called second tranche of the Commonwealth
Accord on Southern Africa agreed at Nassau in October 1985.