US backs moderate stand by South African party

The US State Department endorsed the decision of South Africa's Labour Party, the largest Colored (mixed race) political group, to accept a government offer of token political representation in a revised parliamentary system.

According to an Associated Press report, the department said it supports the party's decision because it demonstrated that South Africa is undergoing a process of change. The department added that the United States fully recognizes that the current proposals for reform do not cover the question of political rights for the South African black majority.

Black groups had earlier denounced the Labour stance, and a party founder and two other aides resigned from the party after its vote in favor of the government.