Political Implications

To fully appreciate why the South African Consulate should go, it is necessary to look at the political implications of it being here. Mr. Talboys told the United Nations last October, "We have refused to contemplate the exchange of diplomatic representatives." The immediate reaction is to wonder what the South Africans are doing here, however his statement was technically correct. The Consul is protected under the Diplomatic Immunities Act, Consular section. Clearly Mr. Talboys should wish to emphasise the difference between Consular and Diplomatic relations.

However, the effect of having a Consulate here is basically the same as that of an Embassy. Mr. Talboys' own interpretation of the difference is clarified in a letter to the Wellington Anti-Apartheid Plenary (9). "The most important distinction is that Consular representatives are not empowered to become involved in the political relations between states. Their activities are strictly limited to the development of economic, cultural, commercial and scientific relations. As a consequence New Zealand does not, for example, use the South African Consulate-General as a channel for communicating with the Government on political matters."

Thus the South African Consulate serves to build up contacts and distribute propaganda and cannot be used for the only possible redeeming feature of a Diplomatic presence, that of a channel for political protest at such times as the South African Government commits atrocities.

The United Nations attitude on relations with South Africa is unequivocal. Recognising apartheid as a crime against humanity, the U.N. proclaims the racist regime as illegitimate, having no right to represent the people of South Africa. Included in the programme of Action against apartheid adopted on November 12, 1976, is a call to all Governments who haven't already done so, to terminate Diplomatic, Consular, and other official relations with the regime of South Africa.