4/THE BLUE BANNER/Ocfober 08, 1987
Opinion
Sanctions don't work
By Stephen Jones
Guest Columnist
Last summer and fall, liberal
forces across the nation claimed
victory when congress overrode
President Reagan’s courageous veto
of punitive economic sanctions
against South Africa.
But this summer, black and white
anti-South Africa activists "can’t be
reached for comment" about the
impact of sanctions.
That’s because sanctions have not
only failed,* they’ve backfired.
That’s the conclusion of an
increasing number of experts —
among them the nine members of
the French parliament who visited
South Africa from Jime 27 through
July 11.
The French delegation reported a
unanimous opposition to sanctions
among representatives of black,
Asian and colored communities. TTiey
also found compelling evidence that
sanctions have gravely harmed South
Africa’s blacks. Unemployment
among black laborers has soared, as
industries which were heavily
dependent upon exports to the U.S.
have lost much of their market
share.
Sanctions have also increased the
political strength of apartheid’s
supporters. An anti-reform backlash
in the recent south African whites-
only elections ousted the moderate
Progressive Federal Party as
minority party. The pro-apartheid
Conservative Party is now the
official opposition.
Now, the Pretoria government will
be criticized in parliament not for
moving too slowly to abolish
apartheid but for moving too
quickly.
The French delegation unanimously
expressed their opposition to further
sanctions. They concluded that the
process of dismantling apartheid
should be evolutionary not
revolutionary.
They recommended that supportive
measures be undertaken by the West
which will enable the Pretoria
regime to continue, without human
suffering, down the path toward
greater democracy for all South
Africans.
For their sakes, it’s time Congress
took heed.
Corner
SGA Speaks..
It came to our attention that
many students attending UNCA were
not registered voters. As a result,
SGA sponsored a "voter registration
blitz." With the help of C.B. Squire,
independent registrar, well over 100
people registered in the Carmichael
Lx)bby within seven hours.
It proved to be a tremendous
success, and we are organizing .
another voter registration plaimed
for the first week in February. This
will give more students a chance to
vote on Super Tuesday in the presi
dential primaries.
Earlier in the semester, it became
quite clear that students were an
noyed by the changing of "Home
coming" to "Fall Fest". In response,
SGA approached Chancellor Brown
with this problem. After a week or
so of deliberation. Chancellor Brown
agreed that "Homecoming" should
return to the fall. This tradition will
rekindle itself next year thanks to
student input.
Since many people are imcomfort-
able at this time approaching SGA
person to person, we are making
available a suggestion box. It will be
placed on the desk of the game
room attendant in the Student Cen
ter. This box will allow students to
voice any concerns they feel SGA
should address, and the suggestions
will be brought to the SGA meeting.
This will open one more door for
commimication between SGA and
students.
SGA is in the process of organiz
ing Alcohol Awareness Week Oct 19
through Oct. 23. Jeff Kilpatrick,
dorm senator, is chairman and will
welcome any ideas to add to his
own. Activities are plaimed for
Wednesday and Thursday of that
week in the Student Center.
Once again, all SGA meetings are
open to the public and scheduled
every Monday at 4:30 p.m. in Room
37 of the Highsmith Center.
Remember we are here for you!
Monica Bonikowski
SGA President
BiU Pfeiffer
SGA Vice President
m
What do you think about the
General Elducation requirements?
"I think that the
general education
requirements are
important at a liberal
arts institution. I
think there should be
more selections within
disciplines.
Gordon Hinners
Senior
History
n
t
s
%
"I think they ask too
much of students in
that area."
Dave Brackett
Junior
Accounting
” I can see how humanities , world
history, is a little more relevant than
two years of spanish. I think it
should be left up to the individual."
Dave Campodonico
Senior
Economics
? -
1 am a transfer student, and the only
thing holding me back are my general
education requirements. Yes, I do
think one should have to take them.
It provides a well rounded student."
Mary Beth Biyman
Junior
Biology
Interviews by Pat Foyles
and photos by Crystal Smith.