338. Telegram From Secretary of State Vance to the Department of State1

Secto 4099. Subject: South Africa: Secretary’s Talk With Botha on Nuclear Relations.

1. In brief opportunity to talk privately with South African Foreign Minister Botha and Foreign Affairs Secretary Brand Fourie after dinner April 16, the Secretary raised the issue of South African adherence to the NPT and application of safeguards to Valindaba. Botha said that both these things would be possible but indicated that the SAG’s big problem was what if South Africa did these things and then the UN Security Council applied general, repeat general, sanctions against South Africa.

2. The Secretary noted Botha’s view that NPT adherence and the application of safeguards at Valindaba were possible and said the U.S. [Page 1033] would be prepared to have Amb. Smith come to South Africa for talks on this and the full range of nuclear questions.

3. The Secretary expressed the belief that we could probably find ways to deal with South Africa’s concern about Security Council action in the strictly nuclear area, and with regard to South Africa’s concern about the deterioration of bilateral relations, said that we would welcome talking privately about broader political issues following Ambassador Smith’s visit to South Africa.

Vance
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840153–1740. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Sent for information Immediate to Pretoria and Cape Town. Vance was en route to London to attend the CENTO Ministerial meeting.