On negotiations and suspension of armed actions
Preamble
Noting that:
1. Negotiation is only one form of struggle towards the transfer of power to the people for the creation of a non-racial, unitary and non-sexist South Africa.
2. Conference supports and endorses the negotiations strategy outlined in the Harare Declaration.
3. The international community has committed itself to supporting the broad principles, procedures and processes laid down in the Harare Declaration, through the relevant resolutions of the Organisation of African Unity, the Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations.
Further noting that:
4. The regime has not yet removed obstacles contained in the Harare Declaration; namely
• unconditional release of all political prisoners
• unconditional return of exiles
• repeal of all security and repressive legislation
• termination of all political trials
5. Consequently the regime has failed and/or neglected to create a climate conducive to peaceful negotiation for a new constitution.
6. The current endemic violence creates further obstacles to the creation of a climate conducive to peaceful negotiation.
7. This violence is part of a deliberate attempt by the state and its allies to destabilise the ANC and to sow terror and chaos amongst our people; and believing that whilst the Harare Declaration remains our lodestar, it is not a dogma.
We therefore resolve:
1. To mandate the NEC to proceed with talks about talks and to invest them with discretionary powers, within the stated policies of the organisation, and without any secrecy and confidentiality, in the execution of their tasks with a view to creating a climate conducive to peaceful negotiations.
Further resolve that:
2. To the execution of these tasks the NEC should regularly consult with ANC membership in all regions, on all major issues.
3. Appropriate mechanisms are set up for such consultation and communication with the membership, by the end of 1991.
4.
