Word: klerk
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Despite continuing public arguments, the two sides have agreed on some of the points De Klerk describes as his "bottom line," including devolution of significant governmental power to provincial and local levels. He predicts that "some tough negotiations lie ahead." The biggest gap is between the A.N.C.'s unyielding demand for majority rule and De Klerk's concept of "power sharing." To him, that must mean constitutional provisions for including minority -- that is, white -- parties in the executive branch and providing them with an effective veto over vital legislation...
...Klerk, wary of the A.N.C.'s long-standing association with Communism, also wants a constitutional provision for a "market-oriented economic system." The A.N.C. opposes the provision but denies it is wedded to a plan for blanket nationalization of South Africa's biggest corporations. "There is nothing in the thinking of the A.N.C. that says we must nationalize," says Thabo Mbeki, one of the group's chief negotiators...
...Klerk called the referendum last week for two reasons. The first was to obtain a clear mandate for reform, and he got it. The second was to demonstrate the intellectual bankruptcy of the right wing. On that he was also successful, largely discrediting the Conservatives, but they and those who are even more extreme have not yet rolled over. Party leader Treurnicht insists that "the struggle for our freedom and survival continues" and says he will refuse renewed invitations to join the CODESA talks...
...Klerk's advisers are concerned that some of the 876,000 who voted no may turn to terrorism and cause both physical and political damage. But De Klerk pledges to take a stand against ultraright forces and not to allow them to derail his plans for reform. "I expect a small radical core group will not just lie down and accept it," he says, "and will be thinking of doing some wild things. But that is what the law is for, and we will apply...
...knows the majority of Afrikaners want him to succeed, to restore the country to peace and prosperity and end its pariah status. "Afrikaners have become Africans," says Frederik van Zyl Slabbert, former leader of the liberal opposition in Parliament. "They cannot continue standing apart. De Klerk has said, Forget it. We tried that and it didn't work...