B3-0517/94

Resolution on the first democratic elections in South Africa

The European Parliament,

A.mindful of the historic elections which took place in South Africa on 26, 27, 28 and 29 April 1994,

B.whereas these elections, which put an end to apartheid, open the way to a new, non-racial, open and democratic South Africa, which the whole South African people wishes to establish in the immediate future as a result of the very great determination of the vast majority of both leading politicians and the population to achieve reconciliation,

C.whereas this historic victory is due to the struggle of the majority of the South African people, the ANC, churches, movements and individuals in South African society and international solidarity, which have all been mobilized over the years to combat apartheid,

D.having regard to the declaration made on 30 April 1994 in Johannesburg by its delegation of observers to the elections in South Africa,

E.having regard to the enormous economic and social problems which the new government must face, with almost 50% of the working population unemployed, of whom 47% are illiterate,

1.Considers that these elections were substantially fair and free, in spite of imperfections and logistical problems;

2.Congratulates the South African people on the non-violence evident during the days on which polling took place; was moved and impressed by the dignity and pride shown by so many South Africans, who waited patiently before the polling stations in order to be able, for the first time in their lives, to express their political wishes through the ballot-box;

3.Congratulates the independent electoral commission and all those who volunteered to help with the smooth running of the elections on the work they did and the determination they showed, in the very great majority of cases, to ensure that the election law was respected;

4.Congratulates Mr De Klerk and Mr Mandela on laying the foundations of a new South Africa and making possible this peaceful and non-violent transition to democracy in the interests of the people of South Africa as a whole;

5.Salutes this historic victory and pays homage to all those who have laid down their lives in the struggle for a democratic South Africa;

6.Recalls the efforts already made by the European Union to assist the South African people, particularly through its special programme and its participation in the observer mission to the elections and in the co-financing of the information campaign and undertakes to ensure that the budget for the special programme is increased and that a cooperation agreement is concluded with the new South Africa in order to contribute to the construction and consolidation of a politically democratic and socially just society;

7.Considers that political rights must be extended into economic and social spheres in order to prevent an economic apartheid affecting millions of black South Africans taking the place of racial apartheid;

8.Recommends the swift establishment of a permanent European Parliament delegation for relations with the South African Parliament;

9.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the South African Government and Parliament.