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DATE=5/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-231801
TITLE=SAF MERCENARIES (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=MICHAEL HAMLYN
DATELINE=CAPE TOWN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  SOUTH AFRICA'S PARLIAMENT WEDNESDAY PASSED THE WORLD'S 
FIRST LAW BANNING MERCENARY ACTIVITY. THE "REGULATION OF FOREIGN 
MILITARY ASSISTANCE" BILL, AS IT'S CALLED,  NOW AWAITS THE 
SIGNATURE OF PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA BEFORE BECOMING LAW.  
MICHAEL HAMLYN WAS IN THE CAPE TOWN GALLERY AS SOUTH AFRICA'S 
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PASSED THE BILL.
TEXT:  THE NEWLY-COMPLETED BILL BANS MERCENARY ACTIVITY OUTRIGHT.
IT DEFINES AS DIRECT PARTICIPATION AS A COMBATANT IN ARMED 
CONFLICT FOR PRIVATE GAIN. IT WILL ALLOW MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO 
DEMOCRATICALLY-ELECTED GOVERNMENTS -- UNDER STRICT CONTROLS.   
THE ASSISTANCE MUST BE APPROVED BY SOUTH AFRICA'S CABINET'S 
NATIONAL CONVENTIONAL ARMS CONTROL COMMITTEE, WHICH CURRENTLY 
OVERSEES ALL REQUESTS FOR DEFENSE SALES ABROAD.
THE BILL'S PASSAGE WAS SEEN BY MANY A GRAND ANTICLIMAX, BUT MAY 
HAVE FAR-REACHING EFFECTS FOR THE IMAGE OF SOUTH AFRICA. SOUTH 
AFRICA'S NAME WAS REVILED IN THE PAST, IN PART BECAUSE OF THE 
ACTIVITIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE. THEY WERE 
SO-CALLED "DOGS OF WAR," WHO LENT THEIR MILITARY EXPERTISE TO 
GOVERNMENTS OR REBEL MOVEMENTS ON THE BASIS OF WHO PAID THE BEST.
SUCH FORCES HAVE TOPPLED AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS.  MERCENARY FORCES 
BASED IN OR CONSISTING OF SOUTH AFRICANS,   EARNED A REPUTATION 
FOR BRUTALITY AND CASUAL CRUELLY THAT THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA IS 
ASHAMED OF.  //OPT// RECENT AREAS OF ACTIVITY INCLUDE KATANGA 
PROVINCE OF THE OLD CONGO, AS WELL AS MORE RECENT WARS IN WEST 
AFRICA, AND IN THE COMORES. //END OPT// MERCENARY ACTIVITY IS 
ALSO AGAINST THE PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED IN SOUTH AFRICA'S NEW 
CONSTITUTION.
TO EVERYONE'S SURPRISE, THE BILL PASSED ON WEDNESDAY AFTER 
PARLIAMENT'S SECOND HOUSE -- THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES --
AMENDED IT TO INCLUDE JURISDICTION OVER FOREIGNERS, AS WELL AS 
SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS.   (SIGNED)
NEB/MH/PCF
06-May-98 2:31 PM EDT (1831 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.