DATE=6/9/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233595
TITLE=SAF / TRUTH (L ONITER)
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  IN SOUTH AFRICA, THE "TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION" 
COMMISSION EXAMINING APARTHEID ERA HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES HAS OPENED
A PROBE INTO WHAT ONE JOHANNESBURG NEWSPAPER TERMS THE FORMER 
WHITE-LED MILITARY'S "BOX OF HORRORS" -- ITS SECRET CHEMICAL AND 
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAM.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA 
REPORTS FROM JOHANNESBURG.

TEXT:  AS THE HEARING ENTERS ITS THIRD DAY (ON WEDNESDAY), THERE 
HAS ALREADY BEEN VIVID TESTIMONY ABOUT THE EXTREMES THE APARTHEID
GOVERNMENT'S SCIENTISTS WENT TO IN DEVELOPING NEW CHEMICAL AND 
BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS FOR USE AGAINST GOVERNMENT OPPONENTS.

SCIENTISTS INVOLVED IN THE COVERT PROGRAM HAVE DISCLOSED HOW THEY
CONSIDERED THE USE OF CHOLERA AGAINST BLACK COMMUNITIES AND HOW 
THEY PRODUCED A RANGE OF POISONS TO BE USED AGAINST 
ANTI-APARTHEID ACTIVISTS.

ONE RESEARCHER DESCRIBED HOW IN SOME CASES, POISONS WERE INSERTED
INTO CANS OF BEER AND BOTTLES OF WHISKY OR MIXED WITH SUCH FOOD 
PRODUCTS AS CHOCOLATES AND SUGAR.

THERE HAS ALSO BEEN TESTIMONY ABOUT SPECIAL WEAPONS THAT WERE 
CONSTRUCTED TO DELIVER POISONS -- INCLUDING HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS 
LIKE SCREWDRIVERS AND BICYCLE PUMPS.

WITNESSES HAVE IN ADDITION DISCUSSED SECRET PLANS TO DEVELOP 
VACCINES THAT WOULD PREVENT PREGNANCY AMONG SOUTH AFRICAN BLACK 
WOMEN.  AND THEY SAID THAT THE MILITARY ASKED SCIENTISTS INVOLVED
IN THE PROGRAM TO MAKE ILLEGAL DRUGS, INCLUDING ECSTASY AND 
MANDRAX, OSTENSIBLY FOR USE AGAINST SUPPORTERS OF THE BLACK 
LIBERATION MOVEMENT.

THE HEARING IS SCHEDULED TO END ON FRIDAY.  IT IS BEING CONDUCTED
IN PUBLIC DESPITE OPPOSITION FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT 
NELSON MANDELA, WHICH FEARS SECRET WEAPONS FORMULAS COULD BE 
REVEALED.  THE TRUTH PANEL  HAS PROMISED  NOT  TO RELEASE ANY 
DOCUMENTS CONTAINING SENSITIVE INFORMATION.  (SIGNED)

NEB/BEL/JWH

09-Jun-98 1:12 PM EDT (1712 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.