SOUTH AFRICA: NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM DISCLOSED

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06807053
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: April 23, 2020
• Case Number: F-2018-00226
• Publication Date: March 25, 1993

Approved for Release: 2020/03/16 C06807053
MAIRK
0 0 MI
mote ciannurf
QIA1cLa6 Kik qs-WIK
Mawr cif Omni Isidismos
'1 N I.
77 69 9' C01Y:
up Ci,
CPAS NID 93-069JX
TCS 1769/93
25 March 1993
Approved for Release: 2020/03/16 C06807053
Approved for Release: 2020/03/16 C06807053
1))11 Sci..2
Contents
South Africa: Nuclear Weapons Program Disclosed
-Top-Seepot-
TCS 2769/93
25 March 1993
6
it.
Approved for Release: 2020/03/16 C06807053
Approved for Release: 2020/03/16 C06807053
-Tee-Seret�
SOUTH AFRICA: Nuclear Weapons Program Disclosed
President de Klerk yesterday announced details of South Africa's
clandestine nuclear weapons program in a bid to end international and
domestic scrutiny of the issue.
De Klerk told the legislature that between 1974 and 1989 South Africa
had assembled six of seven planned nuclear weapons for deterrent
purposes but had decided to dismantle them in 1990 because of
reduced regional threats. He said Pretoria would continue to adhere
to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and invited the International
Atomic Energy Agency, which received advance notice of the
announcement, to send inspectors to verify South Africa's claims.
De Klerk denied that South Africa had ever conducted a secret
nuclear test or cooperated with other countries on weapons
technology. The ANC welcomed de Klerk's disclosures and Pretoria's
reaffirmation of the NPT but called for more details, particularly on
alleged South African cooperation with other countries.
Comment: De Klerk undoubtedly hopes to resolve the lingering
questions about South Africa's nuclear weapons program before he
enters a power-sharing arrangement with the ANC and other parties,
possibly as early as next year. Although the NPT does not require
Pretoria to reveal its past nuclear activities, a combination of press
reports and international and domestic scrutiny probably forced
de Klerk's hand. The announcement nonetheless appears to be a
good-faith effort to come clean on some ma'or
pro ram without r v
er s a lunation in a secret
s un � ou tedly referred to reports that n7 was conducted
in 1979 in the South Atlantic
De Klerk's admission alone is not likely to quiet the controversy over
past and present nuclear activities. Even though initial domestic
reaction has been favorable and the international response is likely to
be so as well, the ANC will continue to seek additional details. Many
South African blacks may still fear that whites would use nuclear
weapons against them in the event of a race war
6
Op SeCIt
TCS 2769/93
25 March 1993
Approved for Release: 2020/03/16 C06807053