The European Parliament,

A. recalling its previous resolutions on the political and

human rights situation in South Africa,

B. welcoming the progress made towards dismantling apartheid,

C. welcoming in particular the outcome of the meeting of

CODESA (Convention for a Democratic South Africa) in

December 1991,

D. whereas, following its first meeting, CODESA set up a

number of working parties which are to report in March

1992,

E. noting the invitation extended to the European Community

to attend the opening of CODESA,

F. noting with concern that the white electorate will be able

through a referendum to veto agreements reached on

constitutional changes by CODESA,

G. regretting that the negotiating process continues to be

marked by violence and the failure of the South African

Government to release all political prisoners,

H. noting, with appreciation, the initiative of its President

on 4 December 1991 to seek an assurance from the President-

in-Office of the Council of Ministers that there would be

no action to relax sanctions without consultation of the

European Parliament,

I. aware of the potential for social and economic growth

within southern Africa and convinced that the post-

apartheid era will provide the opportunity to launch a

concrete programme for cooperation and development

emanating in southern Africa,

1. Welcomes the initial positive results of CODESA's meeting

of December 1991;

2. Reaffirms its full support for a new non-racial democratic

constitutional order based on the one person one vote

principle, which represents the internationally agreed

basis for a negotiated political settlement in South

Africa;

3. Welcomes the current talks aimed at establishing an interim

government which will be representative of all the people

of South Africa and hopes that these talks will bear fruit

as soon as possible;

4. Calls on the Council and Commission not to take any new

initiatives on sanctions vis-a-vis South Africa until an

agreement on the formation of an interim government is

reached and the results of the working parties set up by

CODESA are known;

5. Calls on the Council and the Commission, to grant

diplomatic recognition to the interim government as soon

as it takes office and then upgrade their representation

in South Africa to the status of diplomatic mission, but

not to take any initiative in this respect until that

government has been formed;

6. Regrets the fact that it has not been consulted, but

accepts the position adopted by the Council of Ministers

to revoke the 1986 sanctions, while stressing the need in

implementing this decision to take account of the outcome

of the CODESA working parties to be announced in March

1992, and of the European Parliament's opinion;

7. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all

South African political prisoners and for the

implementation in full of the National Peace Accord of 14

September 1991;

8. Recognizes the importance of the Community's Special

Programme for the Victims of Apartheid during this period

of transition;

9. Urges the Community to examine how trade and cooperation

may be formalized at the appropriate time with the emerging

new South Africa and how the country may become a partner

in a new initiative to promote cooperation and development

in the southern African region;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the

Council, the Commission, the Conveners of the Convention

for a Democratic South Africa, the South African

Government, the African National Congress and the UN

Secretary-General.