DATE=4/9/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-229423
TITLE=SAF / INTELLIGENCE (L ONLY)
BYLINE=DELIA ROBERTSON
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: SOUTH AFRICA'S GOVERNMENT HAS APPOINTED A COMMISSION TO
INVESTIGATE THE COUNTRY'S MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SERVICES.
V-O-A'S DELIA ROBERTSON IN JOHANNESBURG REPORTS THE ANNOUNCEMENT
FOLLOWS THE SUBMISSION OF A FALSE INTELLIGENCE REPORT TO
PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA.
TEXT: THE COMMISSION WILL REVIEW SECRET DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS
OVERALL MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SERVICES TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE
DELIVERING TIMELY AND ACCURATE INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNMENT. IN
ADDITION, THE COMMISSION WILL INVESTIGATE WHETHER MEMBERS OF
APARTHEID-ERA SECURITY SERVICES ARE TRYING TO UNDERMINE THE NEW
SERVICES.
DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER RONNIE KASRILS SAID THE DECISION TO
INVESTIGATE THE SERVICES DID NOT ARISE FROM THE RECENT CASE IN
WHICH DEFENSE FORCE CHIEF GEORGE MEIRING GAVE FALSE INFORMATION
ABOUT A COUP PLOT TO PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA.
THE INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED FROM A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS A
SPY FOR THE FORMER GOVERNMENT AND WHO WAS LAST MONTH ARRESTED IN
MOZAMBIQUE --- ALONG WITH A SENIOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICIAL ---
ON GUN-RUNNING CHARGES.
MR. MANDELA ASKED THREE OF SOUTH AFRICA'S MOST SENIOR JUDGES TO
EVALUATE THE REPORT AND INVESTIGATE WHY IT WAS GIVEN PERSONALLY
TO HIM RATHER THAN TO THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE.
THE JUDGES DESCRIBED THE 234-PAGE REPORT AS "INHERENTLY
FANTASTIC" [BASED ON A FANTASY]. THE JUDGES ALSO CRITICIZED
GENERAL MEIRING FOR HIS HANDLING OF THE REPORT. GENERAL MEIRING
LATER ANNOUNCED HE WILL RETIRE ONE YEAR EARLY AND WILL BE LEAVING
HIS JOB AT THE END OF MAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAR/JWH/
09-Apr-98 9:44 AM EDT (1344 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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