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Documents

October 6, 1977

Telegram from H.M.S. Reid to UK Embassy in Pretoria with Instructions for Meeting with South African Secretary for Foreign Affairs Brand Fourie

H.M.S. Reid sends instructions to the UK Embassy in Pretoria in preparation for a meeting with South African Secretary for Foreign Affairs Brand Fourie. Reid informs them that the Prime Minister wishes to send his concerns about the possibility of South Africa exploding a nuclear device.

September 1977

Draft Letter to B. Cardledge on Conversation with US Deputy Undersecretary of State Joseph Nye on South African Nuclear Intentions

Nye stated that at present the United States preferred to "concentrate on pressing South Africa to adhere to the NPT rather than continuing to enquire about the nature of the Kalahari facility." The State Department assessment was that while South Africa was capable of building a bomb at short notice, they did not actually plan to test one at this time.

September 21, 1977

Letter from C.L.G. Mallaby of the UK Arms Control and Disarmament Department to H.M.S. Reid, 'South African Nuclear Intentions: the Kalahari Facility'

Mallaby reports on a conversation at the Nuclear Suppliers Meeting with the US Deputy Under-Secretary for Security Assistance, Nye, on whether the US would raise the issue of South Africa's Kalahari nuclear testing facility. The US assumption was that the South Africans intended to "be on the brink of having a nuclear weapons capability" in order to "moderate Western diplomatic pressure on her about racial and other issues."

September 13, 1977

Memorandum from C.L.G. Mallaby of the UK Arms Control and Disarmament Department, 'South Africa and the Non-Proliferation Treat'

Mallaby outlines the UK position on South African accession to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

August 24, 1977

Extract from Speech by the South African Prime Minister at Congress of the National Party of Cape Province

Extract from a speech during which South African Prime Minister Vorster discusses Soviet allegations that South Africa has developed a nuclear bomb.