Word: pogrund
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...more than arms' length from the South African crisis, Pogrund feels he has gathered an even sharper understanding of the widening and, he thinks, probably irreparable gash in the fabric of apartheid society...
...When Pogrund discusses the current turmoil, his emotions as a South Africa native and his insights as an obviously pragmatic, tough-minded journalist shift back and forth, showing on one hand pain and pessimism and on the other cold condemnation of the cynical pursuit of self-interest among parties on both sides. He sees those selfish pursuits in the Vorster government and among its economic partners abroad, and also among black leaders in the surrounding "front-line" countries who, he suspects, even if black majority rule arrives in Rhodesia, will continue to bend to South African clout...
...analyses in the U.S. press have suggested that Vorster agreed to put the economic screws to Smith's regime--threatening to cut off water and close down the country's only rail link to the ocean--because of weakened internal support in the face of rioting and strikes. Pogrund perceives that just the opposite is true. The new turmoil has strengthened Vorster's hand, he says, and this revived support among the frightened white minority freed Vorster to shove Smith...
...white Afrikaaners are heading for the hills; they don't want to hear about change and they've placed all their force in Vorster," Pogrund says. "And Vorster has not budged from his commitment to maintaining apartheid. He will increase repression if he must. He has said publicly he will brook no nonsense from blacks...
...smile spreads on Pogrund's face as he adds, "You know, you should appreciate Mr. Kissinger. He's a genius. He is protecting your interests, and he does a damn good job at it. I don't appreciate him, of course, but I'm a South African and I want to see a change there. But you should thank...