SELECTED EXCERPTS RELATING TO THE RSA'S STATE SECURITY COUNCIL AND NATIONAL STRATEGY

In an address to the House of Assembly on 21 March 1980, Mr A J Vlok, who became Minister of Law and Order in 1987, expounded the RSA's national strategy and the twelve-point plan for the implementation of this strategy, as follows:

"... because it is a total onslaught, the only counter-strategy with any hope of success is also a total strategy. Therefore, total resistance must be offered. Fragmentary and ad hoc efforts in any sphere are futile and pointless. The onslaught must be resisted on a national basis in all spheres, by all national groups and inhabitants of the South African subcontinent. One or two nations cannot undertake it on their own and carry it through successfully.

"In view of these facts and after intensive research, days of consultations and the consideration of relevant information, our Government, under the leadership of the hon. the Prime Minister, has designed a deliberate detailed counter-strategy, a total strategy which may be defined as follows. A strategy which embraces plans of action aimed at utilizing all the means at the disposal of the State and the community to the optiimum and in a co-ordinat ed way in order to achieve its aims, but by doing so to avert the multi-dimensional onslaught.  This is a strategy which meets the following requirements: It has the approval of the highest authority.  It is based on a fundamental analysis of the enemy's stragy.  It is clear and unambiguous about its aims.  It takes into account all possible facets of the country's total resources which could make a contribution.  It contains clearly defined steps enabling appropriate action to be taken, and the implementation thereof is coordinated at all times at the highest level.

"Arising out of this we have the interesting and historical twelve-point plan of the hon. the Prime Minister.  It is a plan aimed at summarizing the total national strategy and implementing it in practice, ... It read as follows--

"1.    Acknowledgement of the acceptance of the existence of multinationalism and of minorities in South Africa.
"2.  The acceptance of vertical differentiation with the built in principle of self-determination on as many levels as possible.
"3    The creation of constitutional structures for the Black nations to make possible the highest degree of self-government within States  that have been consolidated as far as is practicable.
"4.    The division of power amongst White South Africa, the South African Coloureds and the South African Indians, with a system of consultation where matters of common interest are involved.
"5.    Acceptance of the principle of own schools and communities where at all possible, as a fundamental requirement for contentment as regards social circumstances.
6.    Preparedness to co-operate as equals and consult one anothet about matters of common interest, with a healthy balance between the rights of the individual and those of the community, the removal of hurtful, unnecessary discriminatory measures.
"7.    The recognition of economic interdependence and the properly planned utilization of our manpower.
8.    The pursuit of a peaceful constellation of Southern African Slat(-, with mutual respect for one another's cultural assets, traditions and ideals.
"9.    South Africa's unwavering will to defend itself against interference from outside in every practicable way.
"10. As far as possible, a policy of  neutrality in the conflicts between large superpowers and preference for South African interests must be adopted.
"11. Maintenance of effeclive decision making by the State which lies in a strong defence force and police force in order to guarantee both orderly Government and effective and clean administration
"12. The maintenance of free enterprise as a basis for our economic policy.

"This is a plan which has been expounded in clear and unambiguous terms, a plan which says precisely what it wants to and does not leave matters in the air. It is a plan which lays down guidelines in terms of which the South Africa of the future may develop and in terms of which people can co-exist in South Africa in peace and harmony. A closer investigation and analysis of this plan shows that the principles of self-determination and selfPreservation of minorities, Christianity, civilized norms, security which is ensured by a strong defence force and a strong police force and the welfare of all, with the emphasis on capitalism, underlies the whole plan. Certain values are inherent in this, inter alia, multinationalism. The plan stresses the protection of minorities. It means vertical differentiation by means of which each group may uphold its own language, culture and tradition and rejects horizontal differentiation which means the domination of one nation by another. The plan draws all Christians across the colour lines into a united anti-Marxist alliance."

The excerpts given below refer to the State Security Council, South Africa's national security, as well as the Republic's national strategy.

RSA, White Paper on Defence 1977, pp 4-5 and 7:

"1.    The process of ensuring and maintaining the sovereignty of a state's authority in a conflict situation has, through the evolution I warfare, shifted from a purely military to an integrated national action. Up to and including the beginning of the 20th century, the successful resolution of a conflict situation was based purely upon victory of one army over another. Since World War I, however, this type of warfare has made such excessive demands upon all states that, due to a lack. of co-ordinated national action, the result in many countries has been the total disruption of the national economy and the psychological disruption of the population.  The resolution of a conflict in the times in which we now live demands interdependent and co-ordinated action in all fields-- military, psychological, economic, political, sociological, technological, diplomatic, ideological, cultural, etc.  Germany had already realised this before World War II, and Russia has maintained a multi dimensional campaign against the West since this war. Consequently we are today involved in a war, whether we wish to accept it or not.

"2.    It is therefore essential that a Total National Strategy be formulated at the highest level. The defence of the RSA is not solely the responsibility of the Department of Defence. On the contrary, the maintenance of the sovereignty of the RSA is the combined responsibility of all government departments. This can be taken further - it is the responsibility of the entire population, the nation and every population group. The Department of Defence is merely an executive body responsible for the achievement of certain national security goals, as directed by the Government

"3. On account of the inherent strength of Defence, it is essential, and it has indeed already been acknowledged, that the employment of the Defence Force be directed by Parliament. The powers of the Defence Force are determined, limited and defined in the Defence Act which also prescribes the aims and functions of the Defence Force. The striving for specific aims cannot, however, take place in isolation. It must be co-ordinated with all the means available to the state. ...

"5.    The RSA has already recognised this need by the establishment of the State Security Council ...

"6.    As already indicated, one of the functions of the State Security Council is to formulate the total national strategy for the RSA. Total strategy is, however, a complex subject. It can. perhaps he described as the comprehensive plan to utilize all the means available to a state according to an integrated pattern in order to achieve the national alms within the framework of the specific policies. A national strategy is, therefore, not confined to a particular sphere, but is applicable at all levels and to all functions of the slate structure.

"7.    The main elements which influence this, namely the political,psychological, technological and military means are, in the strategic sense, dynamic and interacting.  Strategy, therefore, is not something constantm since a change in one of the factors must have an effect on all the others.  It must be constantly adapted to changing situations in respect of, for example, the threat, manpower potential, the fincnaial climate, domestic or foireign policies, etc. Constant interaction, and revision of planning and implementation at all levels of the various government departments are essential.

"8.    Since strategy is normally directed towards the enemy's actions, it cannot be determined purely on the basis of one's own actions, but the reaction of the enemy must also be determined;this, in turn, demands a counter-reaction. This characteristic of strategy calls for an outstanding intelligence service in order to forecast the action of the enemy.

"9.    It is clear that in order to formulate and implement military strategy meaningfully, there is a need for a total national strategy. This has already been acknowledged by the Government. It is because of the complexity of this need and, with a view to national security, that co-ordination between government departments is of the utmost Importance. There are few, if any, government departments which are not concerned with one or other aspect of National security, or which do not contribute to the realization of (rational security. ...

"11. Our country's defence is not a matter for the SA Defence Force alone. The defence of one's country demands dedication, vigilance arid a willingness to sacrifice on the part of everyone whose privilege I1 is to live in this country."

Mr P W Botha, Minister of Defence, RSA, House of Assembly Debates , 17 April 1978, col 4860:

"It is a psychological struggle as well as an economic one. It is a diplomatic arid military struggle. Therefore it is a total struggle. I or that reason I have quite correctly, ... advocated that we develop a total strategy. It is not the task of the Government alone to establish a total strategy. A total strategy presupposes that the State, private enterprise and the citizenry should be clear about their alms, ill the first place. In the second place, they should formulate those objectives...