Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
STATEMENT BY ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU, CHAIRPERSON, TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION
My meeting with the former State President, Mr P W Botha, today took place in a friendly atmosphere. We met for two hours in George, and our talks were conducted in a good spirit. Mr Botha referred to a written text, and we discussed both that and other matters.
Mr Botha made no confessions or dramatic revelations to me. He continues to disagree with the establishment of the Commission. He says there is a perception that the Commission is a witchhunt against the Afrikaner. He defended his record in government and stated that while his government was in power they were fighting Soviet imperialism and colonialism. He does not feel he has done anything which would warrant him applying for amnesty. On the bombing of Khotso House, he says the allegation of his involvement is incorrect and that he is advised the action did not fall within the definition of a "gross human rights violation" in our founding act.
However, Mr Botha believes that as a law-abiding citizen he is bound by the provisions of the act, despite his reservations about it, and he has indicated that he is willing to co-operate with the Commission. He feels he cannot be expected to respond to ad hoc allegations and has requested us to prepare a comprehensive list of matters on which we need his responses and comments. He is also willing to do all in his power to persuade his former Cabinet colleagues to co-operate similarly with us. He has indicated that he is ready to make available to us all his documentation, and to hold further meetings of this kind should they prove necessary.
We believe the meeting was a very considerable plus for the Commission. Firstly, in view of his opinions on the Commission and its establishment, his agreement to see me was a breakthrough for us. Secondly, we did not expect that he would come to the meeting saying that the policies and actions of his government were wrong. Given our expectations, we are encouraged by his willingness to continue to interact with us and to urge his former Cabinet ministers to do likewise. Considering all our options, this route offers us by far the best prospect of establishing the truth about what happened in South Africa in the past.
I feel it is important for me to say that I believe the Afrikaans press in particular is unfairly caricaturing Alex Boraine as a person who is masterminding the hounding by the Commission of his former political opponents. Our approach to Mr Botha was initiated by Dr Boraine, and I am glad he made the suggestion because it offers us the best potential for accomplishing our objectives.