PM Transcripts

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PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 13 December 1991
I warmly welcome the announcement that the Convention for
a Democratic South Africa ( CODESA) will be held on 20-21
December in Johannesburg. CODESA will be the forum for
negotiation of a new constitution for South Africa and
over twenty South African political groups have agreed to
attend. This is a crucial stage in the process towards a nonracial,
democratic South Africa. While this process will
undoubtedly be a difficult one, I am deeply heartened by
the spirit of goodwill and cooperation with which parties
are approaching the negotiations.
The Commonwealth has been at the forefront of
international efforts to end apartheid in South Africa
and it is clear that its efforts have been rewarded by
the progress that has been made. At Harare in October,
Commonwealth Heads of Government pledged to assist the
transition to a non-racial South Africa.
In this spirit the Commonwealth has accepted an
invitation from CODESA's Co-Chairpersons to send
observers to this historic meeting. I welcome the
invitation and I am pleased to announce that Sir Ninian
Stephen will participate in the Commonwealth observer
team. Sir Ninian will join five other eminent representatives
from Commonwealth member states in observing the
proceedings of the two-day inaugural session of CODESA.
It is my sincere hope that CODESA will lead to the
peaceful achievement of a democratic, non-racial South
Africa. On behalf of the Australian Government and
people, I wish the participants well in the difficult
task ahead of them.
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