331. Telegram From the Embassy in South Africa to the Department of State1

950. Department please pass White House. Subject: South African Nuclear Talks. Ref: State 17106.2

1. Nuclear team, led by Ambassador Bowdler and accompanied by Econ Couns Tartter, met with Brand Fourie and AEB Chairman Roux February 20. Ambassador introduced team and reviewed context in which team proposals were developed (talking points transmitted septel).3 Team members then gave overview presentations of new U.S. legislation and its effect on U.S.SAG nuclear cooperation, Valindaba safeguards R&D proposal, and proposal for fueling Safari with lower enriched fuel.

2. Fourie listened attentively. At outset of his response, he introduced familiar theme that U.S. discriminates against South Africa in nuclear supply policy (he cited case of India as contrast); South Africa appears to meet all legal and technical criteria for receiving fuel, and yet supplies are withheld on political ground. He asked whether this would be the case in the future, noting that assurances of fuel supply was of paramount concern to South Africa.

3. Roux listened intently to team presentations, but gave no substantive response. He is arranging individual follow-up meetings at Valindaba with AEB and DFA personnel for Wednesday.

4. In his introduction, Ambassador said progress would be facilitated if SAG could clear up nature of Kalahari site. Fourie replied that no one present could respond. This was a matter for Defense authorities.

5. Request Department repeat USIAEA Vienna for Ambassador Smith and Embassy Stockholm for Oplinger, NSG delegation.

Bowdler
  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Cables File, Africa, Box 18, 2/78. Secret; Sensitive; Immediate; Nodis. Printed from a copy that was received in the White House Situation Room.
  2. Telegram 17106 to Cape Town, January 21. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840148–1569)
  3. See Document 332.