World Notes Diplomacy

The opening of the biennial meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Nassau was glittery as Queen Elizabeth greeted leaders from 46 of Britain's former colonies. But behind the trappings lurked a divisive issue: apartheid. The target was British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who is against imposing economic sanctions on Pretoria. There must be "sustained pressure" against apartheid, said Brian Mulroney of Canada. South Africa is a "total pariah," declared Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Thatcher said she would support an Australian proposal to establish a "contact group" to urge South African President P.W. Botha to negotiate with black leaders. But she remained opposed to sanctions. "They don't work," she said. Even so, prospects for eventual compromise on this week's final declaration appear good. Said New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange: "It will take time, but there will be a meeting of the minds."