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DATE=6/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233949
TITLE=SAF / CHEMICAL WEAPONS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT SAYS THE CHEMICAL AND 
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM LAUNCHED BY THE FORMER APARTHEID 
GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN AND ALL THE WEAPONS DESTROYED.  
V-O-A JOHANNESBURG CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA SAYS THE 
ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWS STARTLING TESTIMONY BEFORE THE "TRUTH AND 
RECONCILIATION" COMMISSION ABOUT THE FORMER WHITE MINORITY 
GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAM.
TEXT:  CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN JOEL NETSHITENZE DOES  NOT  SAY
WHEN IT HAPPENED.  BUT IN A STATEMENT, HE SAYS THE SECRET 
CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM INITIATED BY THE FORMER 
WHITE MINORITY GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN TERMINATED.  HE ALSO SAYS ALL 
MATERIALS IN GOVERNMENT STORAGE THAT COULD BE USED FOR OFFENSIVE 
PURPOSES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED.
THE SOUTH AFRICAN SPOKESMAN SAYS THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CHEMICAL 
AND BIOLOGICAL AGENTS WAS CARRIED OUT WITH THE COOPERATION OF 
COUNTRIES WITH  EXPERTISE IN THIS AREA.  HE DOES  NOT  IDENTIFY 
THE COUNTRIES.  BUT IT IS WIDELY BELIEVED THAT BRITAIN AND THE 
UNITED STATES PROVIDED ASSISTANCE.
MR. NETSHITENZE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA 
IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS 
TECHNOLOGY SHOULD NEVER BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY COUNTRY, 
INDIVIDUAL OR COMPANY.
HE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT HAS RETAINED CERTAIN INFORMATION FOR 
DEFENSIVE  PURPOSES.  HOWEVER HE SAYS THIS INFORMATION IS KEPT 
UNDER LOCK AND KEY.  HE CONFIRMS THE APARTHEID GOVERNMENT 
TRANSFERRED ITS KEYS TO THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT.
THE GOVERNMENT'S DISCLOSURES FOLLOW TRUTH COMMISSION HEARINGS 
LAST WEEK INTO THE COVERT CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM
CARRIED OUT BY THE COUNTRY'S FORMER WHITE MINORITY LEADERS.  
THE HEARING HEARD OFTEN STARTLING TESTIMONY ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT
OF POISONS, GASES, BACTERIA, AND OTHER MATERIALS FOR USE AGAINST 
SUPPORTERS OF THE BLACK LIBERATION MOVEMENT.  (SIGNED)
NEB/BEL/JWH
15-Jun-98 12:24 PM EDT (1624 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.