Botha agrees to UN observers

NEW YORK (AP) - The South African Foreign Minister, Pik Botha, yesterday suggested sending UN observers to curb violence in his country but ruled out a recommendation by the ANC leader, Nelson Mandela, for peacekeeping troops. Speaking before the UN Security Council, Mr Botha rejected as 'an insult' Mr Mandela's accusations that his government was fomenting racial violence, and renewed an offer to resume negotiations on creating a multiracial democracy.

Mr Mandela on Wednesday recommended sending UN soldiers to South Africa, saying the bloodshed there is worse than in Yugoslavia, where 15,000 peacekeepers are stationed. The Security Council is holding an emergency meeting on how to curb violence in South Africa and get the ANC and the government to resume talks.