Is America a European Power?

If de Klerk faces increasingly uncertain prospects at home, he is making progress abroad. In Paris he persuaded the French heads of industry to step up their investments in his country. Indeed, it was an indicator of South Africa’s growing respectability that Mandela, before turning up in Paris, looked in on Copenhagen to congratulate the Danes on being the only European Community member to press on with sanctions against South Africa.

DE KLERK’S Paris success is part of a sensible strategy to acquire not only recognition in the international community but also investment and political support. So far, the results have been mixed. Last September both the Australian and the Canadian Prime Ministers (Bob Hawke, at the time, and Brian Mulroney, respectively) canceled visits to South Africa. In each case, the reason given was concern over the slow pace of reform. But Japan lifted trade sanctions in October and a five-year steel contract was signed.

RN

About the Author

Richard Nixon

Featured Tags

If de Klerk faces increasingly uncertain prospects at home, he is making progress abroad. In Paris he persuaded the French heads of industry to step up their investments in his country. Indeed, it was an indicator of South Africa’s growing respectability that Mandela, before turning up in Paris, looked in on Copenhagen to congratulate the Danes on being the only European Community member to press on with sanctions against South Africa.

DE KLERK’S Paris success is part of a sensible strategy to acquire not only recognition in the international community but also investment and political support. So far, the results have been mixed. Last September both the Australian and the Canadian Prime Ministers (Bob Hawke, at the time, and Brian Mulroney, respectively) canceled visits to South Africa. In each case, the reason given was concern over the slow pace of reform. But Japan lifted trade sanctions in October and a five-year steel contract was signed.