DATE=6/5/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233426
TITLE=SAF / BOTHA (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IN SOUTH AFRICA, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTRY'S "TRUTH AND
RECONCILIATION COMMISSION" HAS ANGRILY REJECTED SUGGESTIONS THAT 
HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES DURING THE APARTHEID ERA WERE THE WORK OF A 
SMALL ROGUE ELEMENT IN THE SECURITY FORCES.  V-O-A JOHANNESBURG 
CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTS ON TESTIMONY BY ARCHBISHOP 
DESMOND TUTU AT THE CONTEMPT TRIAL OF FORMER PRESIDENT P-W BOTHA,
WHICH WAS ADJOURNED FRIDAY UNTIL JUNE 15TH.

TEXT:  ARCHBISHOP TUTU TELLS A COURT IN THE COASTAL TOWN OF 
GEORGE THAT THE ORDERS FOR MURDERS, BOMBINGS, TORTURE AND OTHER 
ILLEGAL ACTS COMMITTED DURING THE APARTHEID ERA CAME RIGHT FROM 
THE TOP OF MR. BOTHA'S GOVERNMENT.  

THE TRUTH PANEL CHAIRMAN WAS REACTING (FRIDAY) TO ASSERTIONS BY 
THE ATTORNEY FOR THE FORMER PRESIDENT THAT HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES 
COMMITTED WHILE MR. BOTHA WAS IN POWER WERE THE WORK OF, WHAT THE
LAWYER TERMED, A "FEW BAD APPLES."

THE 82-YEAR-OLD MR. BOTHA IS ON TRIAL FOR CONTEMPT FOR REFUSING 
TO APPEAR BEFORE THE TRUTH PANEL, WHICH HE CLAIMS IS CONDUCTING A
WITCH HUNT AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA'S FORMER WHITE RULERS.  
ARCHBISHOP TUTU HAS DENIED THE CHARGE AND SAYS THE PANEL HAS BENT
OVER BACKWARDS IN AN EFFORT (MADE EXCEPTIONAL EFFORTS) TO 
ACCOMMODATE THE FORMER PRESIDENT IN VIEW OF HIS AGE, FRAIL HEALTH
AND STATURE.

                        // REST OPT //  

MR. BOTHA'S TRIAL HAS EFFECTIVELY TURNED INTO THE KIND OF HEARING
HE SOUGHT TO AVOID -- WITH WITNESSES ACCUSING HIM OF ORDERING 
KILLINGS AND BOMBINGS.

ONE OF THE WITNESSES -- CONVICTED APARTHEID-ERA ASSASSIN, EUGENE 
DE KOCK -- THIS WEEK ANGRILY DENOUNCED MR. BOTHA AND OTHER FORMER
POLITICAL LEADERS AS COWARDS FOR  NOT  ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY 
FOR THE CRIMES DE KOCK AND OTHER SECURITY FORCE AGENTS CARRIED 
OUT.

THE TRUTH COMMISSION WANTED TO QUIZ MR. BOTHA ON DECISIONS OF THE
NOW-DEFUNCT STATE SECURITY COUNCIL, THE APARTHEID ERA BODY WHICH 
COORDINATED ACTIONS AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA'S BLACK LIBERATION 
MOVEMENT.

ARCHBISHOP TUTU SAYS MR. BOTHA'S GOVERNMENT CAUSED MANY SOUTH 
AFRICANS DEEP PAIN AND SUFFERING.  IN HIS CLOSING REMARKS TO THE 
COURT, HE APPEALED TO THE FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT TO 
APOLOGIZE FOR THAT PAIN. (SIGNED)

NEB/BEL/PCF

05-Jun-98 10:54 AM EDT (1454 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.