DATE=6/1/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233142
TITLE=SAF / BOTHA  (L)
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IN SOUTH AFRICA, THE CONTEMPT TRIAL OF FORMER PRESIDENT 
P-W BOTHA HAS RESUMED IN THE COASTAL TOWN OF GEORGE AFTER A 
SIX-WEEK BREAK.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS THE 
CHARGES AGAINST MR. BOTHA STEM FROM HIS REFUSAL TO TESTIFY BEFORE
THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION, THE GOVERNMENT PANEL 
PROBING APARTHEID-ERA HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES.

TEXT:  THE TRUTH PANEL WANTS TO HEAR THE 82-YEAR-OLD FORMER 
PRESIDENT DISCUSS DECISIONS OF THE NOW-DEFUNCT STATE SECURITY 
COUNCIL, AN APARTHEID-ERA BODY WHICH COORDINATED SECURITY ACTIONS
AGAINST BLACK LIBERATION LEADERS.

IN TESTIMONY MONDAY, A SENIOR TRUTH PANEL OFFICIAL SAID MINUTES 
(REPORTS) FROM COUNCIL MEETINGS CONTAINED WORDS LIKE 
"NEUTRALIZE," "DESTROY," AND "ELIMINATE" IN DISCUSSING COVERT 
ACTIONS AGAINST BLACK LEADERS.  THE OFFICIAL, PAUL VAN ZYL, SAID 
THESE CLEARLY MEANT KILLING.  HE SAID THE TRUTH PANEL WANTS TO 
KNOW FROM MR. BOTHA IF THE SECURITY COUNCIL INTENDED TO AUTHORIZE
POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS.

HE SAID OTHER DOCUMENTS INDICATED THE STATE SECURITY COUNCIL 
DISCUSSED PLANS FOR CROSS-BORDER OPERATIONS, INCLUDING THE USE OF
PARCEL BOMBS AGAINST ANTI-APARTHEID MOVEMENT FIGURES.  HE SAID 
THE TRUTH PANEL AGAIN WANTED TO KNOW FROM MR. BOTHA IF THE 
SECURITY COUNCIL DID IN FACT APPROVE SUCH OPERATIONS.

MR. BOTHA HAS REFUSED TO COOPERATE WITH THE TRUTH COMMISSION, 
CALLING IT A CIRCUS AND CHARGING IT WANTS ONLY TO HUMILIATE THE 
COUNTRY'S FORMER WHITE MINORITY RULERS.

THE TRIAL BEGAN IN APRIL BUT WAS ADJOURNED AFTER A FEW DAYS TO 
GIVE MR. BOTHA'S LAWYERS MORE TIME TO PREPARE THEIR DEFENSE.  
TRUTH PANEL CHAIRMAN ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU HAS SAID HE IS STILL
WILLING TO DROP THE CASE AGAINST THE FORMER PRESIDENT IF MR. 
BOTHA CHANGES HIS MIND AND AGREES TO APPEAR BEFORE THE PANEL.  
(SIGNED)

NEB/BEL/JWH

01-Jun-98 11:31 AM EDT (1531 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.