Special Report Transcript Episode 82, Section 3, Time 28:54

Good evening. Worldwide anger continues to grow in the wake of the commando raid on alleged ANC bases in the Botswana capital of Gaborone. Foreign minister, Minister Pik Botha said in September last year that the Botswana government had not been able to reach acceptable understanding with the South African government on the combating of acts of terror against South Africa from Botswana territory. // ‘The targets that we attacked one can describe as the nerve centre of the ANC, the alternative which they developed after the Komati accord. They then decided to operate through Botswana. // ‘Wat die militere implikasies betref dink ek het ons vir ons gasheer lande of liewer moet ek se vir die gasheer lande van die terroriste sowel as vir die terrorist self twee duidelike boodskappe gegee. Die eerste een is, die Suid Afrikaanse regering maak nie ydele dreigemente nie. En die tweede een is, die Suid Afrikaanse weermag is in staat om hierdie terroris neste by te kom en uit te haal waar hulle ook al is.’ [Regarding the military implication I think we have sent two clear messages to our host countries, or should I rather say to the terrorist host countries. Firstly, that the South African government does not make empty threats and secondly that the South African army is able to reach and take out terrorist nests wherever they are.]

Notes: News bulletin, SABC 1985; Gen Constand Viljoen (SADF); Lt-Genl Kat Liebenberg (Chief of Army)

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