DATE=6/9/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233595
TITLE=SAF / TRUTH (L ONITER)
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IN SOUTH AFRICA, THE "TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION"
COMMISSION EXAMINING APARTHEID ERA HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES HAS OPENED
A PROBE INTO WHAT ONE JOHANNESBURG NEWSPAPER TERMS THE FORMER
WHITE-LED MILITARY'S "BOX OF HORRORS" -- ITS SECRET CHEMICAL AND
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA
REPORTS FROM JOHANNESBURG.
TEXT: AS THE HEARING ENTERS ITS THIRD DAY (ON WEDNESDAY), THERE
HAS ALREADY BEEN VIVID TESTIMONY ABOUT THE EXTREMES THE APARTHEID
GOVERNMENT'S SCIENTISTS WENT TO IN DEVELOPING NEW CHEMICAL AND
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS FOR USE AGAINST GOVERNMENT OPPONENTS.
SCIENTISTS INVOLVED IN THE COVERT PROGRAM HAVE DISCLOSED HOW THEY
CONSIDERED THE USE OF CHOLERA AGAINST BLACK COMMUNITIES AND HOW
THEY PRODUCED A RANGE OF POISONS TO BE USED AGAINST
ANTI-APARTHEID ACTIVISTS.
ONE RESEARCHER DESCRIBED HOW IN SOME CASES, POISONS WERE INSERTED
INTO CANS OF BEER AND BOTTLES OF WHISKY OR MIXED WITH SUCH FOOD
PRODUCTS AS CHOCOLATES AND SUGAR.
THERE HAS ALSO BEEN TESTIMONY ABOUT SPECIAL WEAPONS THAT WERE
CONSTRUCTED TO DELIVER POISONS -- INCLUDING HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS
LIKE SCREWDRIVERS AND BICYCLE PUMPS.
WITNESSES HAVE IN ADDITION DISCUSSED SECRET PLANS TO DEVELOP
VACCINES THAT WOULD PREVENT PREGNANCY AMONG SOUTH AFRICAN BLACK
WOMEN. AND THEY SAID THAT THE MILITARY ASKED SCIENTISTS INVOLVED
IN THE PROGRAM TO MAKE ILLEGAL DRUGS, INCLUDING ECSTASY AND
MANDRAX, OSTENSIBLY FOR USE AGAINST SUPPORTERS OF THE BLACK
LIBERATION MOVEMENT.
THE HEARING IS SCHEDULED TO END ON FRIDAY. IT IS BEING CONDUCTED
IN PUBLIC DESPITE OPPOSITION FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT
NELSON MANDELA, WHICH FEARS SECRET WEAPONS FORMULAS COULD BE
REVEALED. THE TRUTH PANEL HAS PROMISED NOT TO RELEASE ANY
DOCUMENTS CONTAINING SENSITIVE INFORMATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/BEL/JWH
09-Jun-98 1:12 PM EDT (1712 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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