STATEMENT BY F W DE KLERK ON THE DEATH OF FORMER PRESIDENT P W BOTHA I have learned with sorrow of the death last night of former President P W Botha and would like to convey my most sincere condolences to his family and friends. P W Botha was a strong leader and an effective organiser. During the 1970s he developed the SADF as a formidable force and greatly strengthened the armaments industry. After he became Prime Minister in 1978, he counteracted Soviet expansionism in Southern Africa. He concluded the Nkomati Agreement with Mozambique in 1984 and insisted on the withdrawal of Cuban forces from Angola as a pre-condition for the independence of Namibia. He opposed a revolutionary takeover of Namibia and ensured that the territory ultimately acceded to independence under UN supervision with a sound democratic constitution. P W Botha was also keenly aware of the need for reform in South Africa. He allowed free trade union activity following the Wiehahn Report and presided over the repeal of almost 100 discriminatory laws – including the pass laws, the Immorality Act and the Mixed Marriages Act. He made provision for Indian and Coloured participation in Government through the introduction of the tricameral constitution in 1983. He searched unsuccessfully for ways of involving black South Africans in government. President Botha’s reform programme was postponed by widespread civil unrest after 1984. The unrest was checked by draconian states of emergency in 1985 and 1986 that effectively restored order and made it clear to all concerned that there was no prospect for a revolutionary seizure of power. It was also under his leadership that the government first made contact with Nelson Mandela and ANC leaders in exile. In 1986, the National Party, under his guidance, finally abandoned its policy of separate development. Personally, my relationship with P W Botha was often strained. I did not like his overbearing leadership style and was opposed to the intrusion of the State Security Council system into virtually every facet of government. After I became leader of the National Party in February 1989 I did my best to ensure that P W Botha would be able to end his term as president with full dignity and decorum. Unfortunately, this was not to be. I should like to honour P W Botha for the enormous contribution that he made to preparing the way to the New South Africa. ISSUED BY THE F W DE KLERK FOUNDATION CAPE TOWN, 1 NOVEMBER 2006
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