South Africa Foreign Relations British Commonwealth

Leaders of the 46-nation Commonwealth on Sunday gave South Africa six months to deliver on reform promises or face new reprisals, and they called for tighter financial pressure immediately. Britain alone dissented. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, rejecting key provisions of the Commonwealth summit declaration on South Africa, charged that U.S. and Commonwealth embargoes have strengthened white extremism in South Africa. But she went along with a stipulation that current trade embargoes remain.

Leaders of the 46-nation Commonwealth on Sunday gave South Africa six months to deliver on reform promises or face new reprisals, and they called for tighter financial pressure immediately. Britain alone dissented. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, rejecting key provisions of the Commonwealth summit declaration on South Africa, charged that U.S. and Commonwealth embargoes have strengthened white extremism in South Africa. But she went along with a stipulation that current trade embargoes remain.

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, waging a lone war on sanctions against South Africa, told the Commonwealth summit on Wednesday that such measures are "utterly irresponsible," officials said. Other nations in the 49-member grouping of Britain and its former colonies, including Canada and host Malaysia, pressed for continued or stronger embargoes. Proponents said that sanctions have forced President F. W. de Klerk to promise reforms and release black nationalist leaders.

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, waging a lone war on sanctions against South Africa, told the Commonwealth summit on Wednesday that such measures are "utterly irresponsible," officials said. Other nations in the 49-member grouping of Britain and its former colonies, including Canada and host Malaysia, pressed for continued or stronger embargoes. Proponents said that sanctions have forced President F. W. de Klerk to promise reforms and release black nationalist leaders.