South Africa

Since detente was initiated in 1974 it has been Vorster's task to exert pressure on Smith. In the lead up to the Geneva talks his role was to put economic pressure on Rhodesia to enforce acceptance of the Kissinger proposals. This was done by obstructing the passage of Rhodesian goods to South African ports and with holding military aid. The US part of the bargain was apparently a promise to veto any move at the UN to impose sanctions on South Africa (Christian Science Monitor. Oct. 18, 1976) and the likelihood of large scale loans to help South Africa service its debt. According to the London stockbrokers James Capel and Co. the US may also have done a "higher gold price" deal with South Africa in return for the republic's co-operation (Daily Telegraph, Britain, Sept 27. 76.)