SOUTHERN AFRICA
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11. Know that many of you are deeply concerned about Southern Africa, especially about South Africa's internal and external policies and about Namibia. Some of you, eg Botswana and Lesotho, have first-hand experience of South African pressures to reach the
same kind of security arrangements as Mozambique has done.
12. Differences between us over our South African policy and
No difference between us over our aims
Namibia.
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peaceful, stable and prosperous Southern Africa, with Namibia independent and a South. Africa with a system of government which has the consent of all
South Africans. Saddened by violence in recent weeks; this
underlines the need for political movement to satisfy black
aspirations.
13. UK has substantial interests in Southern Africa as a whole,
including in South Africa itself. The British Government has a responsibility to protect these.
14. How can we conribute to the resolution of Southern Africa's
problems? These are complex, for instance including drought and population growth. Nor should the influence of any outside country either in the political or the economic sphere be over-estimated.
14. On South Africa itself, we firmly believe that only by contact
and dialogue can we hope to affect events. Do not believe that
isolation and ostracism of South Africa will help: not in the
Afrikaaner mentality to make concessions under pressure. Nor do we think that economic pressures will be helpful; and they will be damaging to those whom we want to help, in and outside South Africa. Persuasion the only way. This was why we invited P W Botha here.
15. We have played our part in persuading South Africa that its policies towards neighbouring countries were misguided and counter-productive to South African interests. Western dialogue
with South Africa certainly contributed to achievement on Nkomati.
/16.