414. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in South Africa0
248. Following summary for information only and contents should not be disclosed to foreign officials. It is uncleared and subject to amendment upon review of memcon.1
Secretary received Amb Naude Aug 26 for continuation Bantustan talks. Amb said he leaving that evening for consultation Pretoria. According Naude his govt envisages establishment of eight to ten states within confines of the Republic. They would be linked through a confederation or federation. Would be fully independent and doubtless members of UN. Some controls over foreign policy and defense would be retained for a time by the SAG.
Secretary inquired as to discourse now going on between SAG and non-white leaders. Naude gave indirect answer saying that efforts to create Transkei native state require a great deal of consultation with Blacks. Asked about disparities between land allocated to Whites and Blacks Naude said much of land occupied by Bantu is far better than that of many Whites but SAG is committed to make more land available to Bantu.
[Page 648]Secretary asked about measures SAG could take for more fruitful discussion pressing problems. Might begin he commented by liberalizing Bantu Education Act and the pass laws. Naude replied such laws and other forms discrimination which Americans dislike will pass away. Some control over freedom movement necessary prevent overcrowding of cities and to save primitive Bantu from being deAfricanized. Discrimination will disappear with creation native states. In response question if there wouldn’t still be considerable admixture of people Amb acknowledged urban Bantu present continuing difficulty but Bantustans will offer counter attractions and Black flood into cities will end.
Naude complained that many US officials speak of their desire keep a US-South African dialogue going but dialogues are difficult to maintain when South Africa is whipped publicly. Secretary replied he would be delighted to have something to support. SAG should seek position its friends could defend. We don’t expect overnight changes but it is very important SAG find way to demonstrate both to world and Bantu there is something worthwhile to discuss. Secretary suggested starting with SWA. Here much could be done. Naude said Odendaal Report will be released before UNGA meeting. The report will be a starting point.
Secretary felt SAG has view of Territory entirely different from rest of UN. He asked why SAG doesn’t take initiative and institute reforms instead of waiting for others to force action. Naude responded that every time he suggests some course of action his govt replied “Wait for the Odendaal Report.” A bold solution in the Territory could be most important the Secretary said and he then spoke of necessity that SAG prepare for coming ICJ decision in SWA case. Amb said he appreciated Secretary’s efforts find solution and he would carry Secretary’s message on SWA to Pretoria.