17 November 1964
British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, announced in the House of Commons that the British government has decided to impose an embargo on the export of arms to South Africa. Outstanding commitments by the Ministry of Defence will be fulfilled, but no new contracts will be accepted. The contract to supply sixteen Buccaneer aircraft was under review. The announcement to impose arms embargo on South Africa came at bad time as the country was under huge international pressure against its policy of segregation. The country was in its third year as a republic, established on 31 May 1961 by Prime Minister HF Verwoerd.
References
Boddy-Evans A. ‘This day in African history: 17 November’, from About African History, [online], available at www.africanhistory.about.com (Accessed: 05 October 2012)|
O’Malley P. ‘1964’ from Nelson Mandela Center of Memory and Dialog, [online], available at www.nelsonmandela.org.za (Accessed: 05 October 2012)|
South African History Online, ‘The Republic of South Africa is established’, [online], available at www.sahistory.org.za (Accessed: 05 October 2012)