Conference turris::scandia

192.0. "Sweden bans trade with S. Africa" by TLE::SAVAGE (Neil, @Spit Brook) Thu Mar 12 1987 09:54

Associated Press Thu 12-MAR-1987 09:09                    Sweden-South Africa

              Sweden Announces Total Trade Ban With South Africa
    
    STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) - Sweden today announced a total trade ban on
    South Africa and faulted the United Nations for refusing to impose
    mandatory international sanctions to force South Africa's government to
    end apartheid. "The time for a peaceful solution of apartheid is about
    to run out. The violence is expanding," Foreign Minister Sten Andersson
    told a news conference after the Cabinet endorsed the trade ban. 
    
    Foreign Trade Minister Anita Gradin said the ban would take effect July
    1 and imposes a deadline of Oct. 1 for Swedish companies to end all
    trade of goods with South Africa. The ban stops short of requiring
    disinvestment. Mrs. Gradin said forcing Swedish companies to pull out
    of South Africa would involve a complicated and costly process of
    compensation. 
    
    The ban was included in a 51-page bill which Parliament must still
    approve. Most major parties have pledged to support the legislation. 
    
    Andersson said Sweden was adopting the action in frustration over the
    veto cast in the U.N. Security Council Feb. 20 of a resolution calling
    for binding sanctions against South Africa. 

    Apartheid establishes a racially segregated society in South Africa in
    which the 24 million blacks have no vote in national affairs. The 5
    million whites control the economy and maintain separate districts,
    schools and health services. 

    According to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Denmark was the first western
    country to impose (as from June 15, 1986) a total trade boycott with
    South Africa.  Similar legislation is being passed by the Norwegian
    parliament.