Press release on meeting with Thatcher, 2nd March 1990

About this item

This press release from Bernie Grant MP, dated 3 March 1990, shares a letter from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher following Grant's meeting with her. The meeting took place after Grant's return from South Africa, where he had met Nelson Mandela shortly after Mandela's release from prison. The release highlights discussions about potential UK government support for South Africa's democratic forces during the transition away from apartheid.

Key points:
– Bernie Grant met with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on 13 February 1990 after returning from South Africa.
– Grant proposed that the UK government provide funding to South Africa's democratic groups to help them participate in negotiations.
– Margaret Thatcher responded positively to Grant's suggestion, as detailed in her letter.
– Grant emphasized that any funding should not replace existing sanctions against the apartheid regime.
– The specifics of the funding scheme were still under consideration at the time of the release.

This document situates Bernie Grant as an active figure in the international anti-apartheid movement, leveraging his position as an MP to influence UK foreign policy towards supporting democratic change in South Africa. His engagement reflects the global connections between Black British political activism and struggles against racial oppression abroad.

Source note: The OCR transcription is generally clear and legible, though minor formatting issues are present; the interpretation is based on the content as transcribed without modifications.