The best news of this past quarter has been the release of Janet Cherry from

detention - after almost a year in detention. She has been restricted from

participating in the activities of the ECC, NECC (National Education Crisis

Committee), and the Adult Education Literacy Project with whom she was employed

prior to her detention. She has not been restricted from the activities of

the UDF or the Black Sash. Her release has had an energising effect on the PE

ECC.

Repression.

We are seeing a new strategy on the part of the government with regard to repression

and taking action against democratic organisations such as ECC.

It has become clear that there is a much more spphisticated and co-ordinated

programme in operation. Direct repression (detentions, etc) has lessened and

there has been a shift to indirect repression : harassment, smears, etc. We have

no doubt that these natioanlly co-ordinated smear camp aigns against ECC are the

work of the JMC's (Joint Management Centres).

Since May, there have been constant threats from members of Parliament and P.W.

Botha himself, about clamping down on the activities of the extra-parliamentary

groupings. This would happen primarilt through the cutting off of foreign funds

(tightening up the Fundraisng Act legislation) and setting up Commissions of

Inquiry into the activities of these organisations. We continue to wait with

bated breath for the expected clampdowns and nothing happens. However that does not

mean that we have been forgotten! This is evident in the increased low-level

smear campaigns, using petty charges of illegal possession of banned material to

discredit ECC members , personal harassment and intimidation of our members.

The most recent incident of direct personal harassment was the brief detention

of the Johannesburg regional worker, Judith Soal, on September 1st outside Khotso

House (SACC building). She was physically assaulted and verbally abused. Appropriate

legal action has been taken. (Enclosed is a copy of the press release).

Six members of the University of the Witwatersrand ECC branch were raided in their

homes on the morning of September 3rd - the day of their Namibia focus on campus.

No one was detained but personal details were noted and some ECC publications

removed from their homes.

In this climate we need to continue with stringent security measures to ensure

efficient and effective work.

At present ECC is absorbed in helping with the preparation for the Five Freedoms

Conference to be held in Johannesburg on the week-end of the 25th - 27th September.

(Enclosed is a copy of the programme of events and a brochure advertising the conference)

It is an exciting and new development in progressive politics in South Africa

and one which we hope will be able to come up with some concrete actions and plans

to enable more and more white South Africans to distance themselves from apartheid

and to join organisations that are working for a just and democratic future in

this country.

We are also preparing for our own National Conference, scheduled for the 8th-11th

October 1987. There is much anxiety with regard to the security of this conference

and concern about whether we will be able to arrange it successfully without the

government intervening through bannings, detentions, etc. Our last national

conference was held in Natal in Jnauary 1986. We have not even considered having

a national conference since the State of Emergency, mainly due to security risks.

However we felt that it was essential for ECC to go ahead and plan this conference

now. The agenda is fairly comprehensive and we expect to come out of the conference

with having generated a strong feeling and sense of ECC as a vibrant, relevant

national organisation and to have some clarity on a common direction and programme

of action for 1988.

S o u J k , f \ fr iC A - f\uqust

Dear Friends,

The End Conscription Campaign was started towards the end of 1983, with the setting up

of End Conscription Committees in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. There were two

events in 1983 which prompted the launching of this campaign.

1) The SA government passed a new law on conscientious objection (CO) , which

effectively increased the maximum prison sentence for non-religious and non-pacifist

objectors from two years to six years. This showed quite clearly that campaigning for

legal reforms was useless. While the new legislation liberalised the position of

of religious pacifist objectors , the treatment meted out to political objectors was

punitivly harsh.. For this reason it was felt that rather than continue campaigning for

the rights of CO's, the time had come to call for an end to conscription.

2) The SA government announced that because of the new constitution, conscription would

be extended to "coloured" and Indian men.

At present white men residing in South Africa are conscripted for an initial period

of two years National Service in the South African Defence Force (SADF) and a further

720 days of service spread over a period of 8 years.

The new constitution extends voting rights to "coloured" and Indian people in a new

parliamentary system where there will be three chambers, one for whites, one for

"coloureds" and one for Indians. African people who form the majority of our

population are excluded and have no voting rights in South Africa.

Conscription to the SADF, in this context, can only be seen as conscription to

defend apartheid and all the injustice that goes with it.

The End Conscription Committees which were formed in different centres, bring

together a broad spectrum of organisations. The campaign is aunifying force which

allows both for a rejection of conscription and of apartheid.

These organisations send representatives to the ECC.

COSG (the Conscientious Objectors' Support Group)

Black Sash

SACC (South African Council of Churches)

WPCC (Western Province Council of Churches)

War and Peace Group of the Catholic Church

NUSAS (National Union of South African Students)

NEUSA (National Education Union of South Africa)

UWO (United Women's Organisation)

YCS (Young Christian Students)

Cathsoc ( Catholic Societ of Witwatersrand University)

UDF (United Democratic Front)

JODAC (Johannesburg Democratic Action Committee)

Women for Peace

SUCA (Students' Union for Christian Action)

At this time the ECC's around the country are embarking on a project to launch

a declaration to end conscription. A wide range of promonent individuals and

^ organisations are being asked to endorse the declaration. It will be formally

launched at a series of public meetings around the country on the 15th October, 1984

We are sending you a copy of the declaration so that your organisation can endorse

it and return it to us as soon as possible.

Please could you post it to

War and Peace group

P.O.Box 23686

Joubert Park 2044

Johannesburg

South Africa

If you think that you cannot post it back in time, please could you telex your

endorsment. Our telex number for this purpose will be that of the NUSAS head

office in CAPE TOWN telex number 57-22323

Your endorsement will be seen as a symbol of your support for the end of conscription

in South Africa, and support for a free, democratic and non-racial South Africa.

f

End Conscription Campaign227/9 Khotso House 42 De Villiers Streel Johannesburg2000

Tel 337-6796 Telex 4-86519 S.A.

23 August 1987

Dear Christine

Greetings to you! I have arrived safely back in the country and am hard

at work again. I trust that your work is going well.

I have enclosed a brief on the events organised by the various ECC branches

around the country on International Namibia Day, 26 August. I know that

most of this information will be too late in helping solidarity actions

on your end but most of this information was only finalised at the end of

this week. I hope that it can be of some help to you. I have also enclosed

some of the more recent newsletters and media produced by ECC.

I would appreciate it if you could forward me with any information on actions

or resolutions taken in Europe around the issue of International Namibia

Day.

I have been able to give a brief report back on my travels to the National

Committee (which includes a representative from each of the 14 branches) but

hope to do a more comprehensive report for natioanl circulation.

It really was a very fruitful and valuable meeting with you in London. Thank

you again for your concern and committment to the issue s of peace and justice.

In peace and solidarity

-

Adele Kirsten (ECC Natioanl Secretary}

Namibian Focus

The focus on Namibia will run approximately for a two week period, begining

from the 26th August until 2 September.The activities range from jointly hosted

public meetings, to internal education seminars with a particular focus on the

role of the SADF in the continued war situation in Namibia.

Public meetings : Meetings are planned in Pietermaritzburg, Grahamstown, Durban

and on the University of Cape Town. There has been some liason

between ECC and the Namibian Student's Society (Namso) on

the various campuses with regard to a speaker for the public

meetings. In Durban and Pietermaritzburg there has been some

attempt to organise a speaker from Namibia, but this has not

yet been confirmed.

There has also been liason with other progressive organisations

such as the Black Sash and church bodies in planning of these

meetings.

Qltural events : Johannesburg ECC has planned a photographic exhibition to mark

International Namibia Day on 26 August which will run for 3

weeks. The invitation to the opening was mailed to about 3 000

people. (Enclosed is a copy of the invitation) The opening

will be adressed by a conscript who served some of his army

service in Namibia, as well as the ECC Chairperson of Jhb ECC.

Rhodes University has also planned some cultural event for the

week-end of 28 - 30 August. (This is in Grahamstown in the

Eastern Cape)

Symbolic action : In Durban there are plans to hold a placard demonstration on the

day - the placard will be in the shape of Namibia with the slogan

"South Africa's Vietnam?".

The branch on the Durban campus will distribute pamphlets and

call on people to wear armbands as an act of remembrance for all

those lives lost in the Namibian war

A group may also go to the Cenotaph and unfurl a banner - this may

well be an act of civil disobedience and will need careful

planning.

Internal Education Seminars :

Cape Town is planning a series of 3 part lectures on Namibia which will run

on flgust 26, 27, 28th. The first will adress the issue of State Strategy

ad Southern Africa; the second will look at the effects of destabilisationin

the region; and the third will be an ECC Demands the Troops Out meeting .

Eafct London, which is one of the newer ECC branches, will run a series of

educational seminars, mostly for their own members and focussing on the linear

development of the growth of the SADF presence in Namibia, also making links

between the war in Namibia and that in South Africa.

dhannesburg ECC will host a series of internal seminars and they will be

open to members, member organisation and interested friends.

Other areas where seminars will take place are, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria,

Pietermaritzburg and University of Cape Town.

There are 5 newsletters which are regional newsletters and all of them

have had some focus on Namibia during this period. I have enclosed 2 of

these newsletters.

Port Elizabeth will take out an advert on 26 August, remembering International

Namibia Day and the struggle of those Namibians for independence.

Bob W o i t oDi rector > .World Without. War Council,421 S outh Wstbash A v e n u e Chi ca g a

11 1 i n o i s ,6 0 6 0 5 USA. Q S e p t e m b e r 1987

Dear Bob

S i n c e r e a p o l o g i e s -for th i s v e r y late r e s p o n s e - p a r t l y d u e to s u b s t a n t i a l p a r t s of our mail b eing m i s d i r e c t e d and p a r t l y d u e to t a r d i n e s s on my part.

We a r e v e r y g r a t e f u l for your f i n a n c i a l c o n t r i b u t i o n t o w a r d s the o n g o i n g work of ECC.

An u p d a t e on our f i n a n c i a l s i t u a t i o n will be of im p a r t to you and p e r h a p s f u r t h e r e x p l a i n our c a u t i o n a r y a p p r o a c h with r e g a r d to r e c e i v i n g f o r e i g n monies. As a p o l i t i c a l o r g a n i s a t i o n in S o uth Africa, we do not h a v e a f u n d r a i s i n g n u m b e r and t h e r e f o r e under the F u n d r a i s i n g Act are r e s t r i c t e d f r o m s o l i c i t i n g an d / o r a c c e p t i n g f u n d s f r o m the p u b l i c -- th i s i n c l u d e s both i n t e r n a l l y and on an i n t e r n a t i o n a l level. In the e a r l y part of 19S7 we we r e s u b j e c t e d to s c r u t i n y ( and c o n t i n u e to be at risk) with r e g a r d to the s o u r c e of our funding™ We are t h e r e f o r e u n a b l e to r e c e i v e any f o r e i g n funding.

At p r e s e n t all our m o n i e s c o m e fr o m the S o u t h A f r i c a n C a t h o l i c B i s h o p s Conference? (SACBC) . If you wish to s u p p o r t ant i-mi 1 i tary work in S o u t h Africa, it w o u l d be best to m a k e any f u r t h e r financial c o n t r i b u t i o n s to the a b o v e m e n t i o n e d c h u r c h body. They will d i s p o s e of it as t h e y s e e fit. It is e x t r e m e l y i m p o r t a n t that t h i s p r e c a r i o u s s i t u a t i o n of f i n a n c i a l aid is taken seriously, as we c o n t i n u e to b e u nder s u r v e i l l a n c e .

However, we v a l u e your c o n t i n u e d s u p p o r t of our o r g a n i s a t i o n , p a r t i c u l a r l y t h r o u g h p u b l i c i s i n g our wo r k t h r o u g h your own p u b l i c a t i o n s and in d o i n g s o l i d a r i t y actions. We will c o n t i n u e to keep you i n f o r m e d of f u t u r e c a m p a i g n s and a c t i v i t i e s of the ECC.

I h a v e e n c l o s e d a s e l e c t i o n of the mo s t r e c e n t p u b l i c a t i o n s p r o d u c e d in t h e v a r i o u s r e g i o n s as well as s o m e media, viz: stickers, pam p h l e t s , posters. We w o u l d a l s o like to r e c e i v e arty r e l e v a n t p u b l i c a t i o n s f r o m your o r g a n i s a t i o n . The a b o v e a d d r e s s will suff ice.

In s t r e n g t h and p e a c eA d e l e K i r s t e n (ECCNatioanl S e c r e t a r y )

A d r i a n e F'avo Br i a r p a t c h2 1 3 8 M c I n t y r e S t r e e t Regina, Sask;C a n a d a S 4 P 2 R 7 14 S e p t e m b e r 1987

Dear A d r i a n e

Thank you for yo u r i n t e r e s t in our o r g a n i s a t i o n and the .invitation to E C C to c o n s i d e r a tour of W e s t e r n Canada.

In p r i n c i p l e , E C C w e l c o m e s any i n t e r n a t i o n a l s u p p o r t for our work and t h u s f a r we h a v e r e s p o n d e d p o s i t i v e l y to i n t e r n a t i o n a l tour i nvitations- We h a v e had e x t e n s i v e c o n t a c t wi t h the War R e s i s t e r s L e a g u e <WRL) in t h e U S A and co m p 1 et ed a 9 week tour with th e m in M a y t h i s year.

On the b a s i s of your letter, I h a v e d r a w n up a pro p o s a l for ECC to c o n s i d e r a tour of W e s t e r n Canada. D u e to t h e d e m o c r a t i c p r o c e s s e s i n v o l v e d in our d e c i s i o n m a k i n g and the ne e d to h a v e a n a t i o n a l l y c o - o r d i n a t e d d e c i s i o n on t h i s issue, t h i s d e c i s i o n may be a l e n g t h y process. W e are? a l s o p l a n n i n g a n ational c o n f e r e n c e (t h e f i r s t we a r e a b l e to hold s i n c e J a n u a r y 1986 due to t h e r e s t r a i n t s p l a c e d on u s by the S t a t e of E m e r g e n c y ) w i t h i n the next m o n t h and i s s u e s for d i s c u s s i o n for that g a t h e r i n g will t a k e p r i o r i t y . A d e c i s i o n on the tour will mo s t l i k e l y t a k e p l a c e at the c o n f e r e n c e .

In order to a s s i s t us in our d e c i s i o n making, we w o u l d a p p r e c i a t e it if y o u c o u l d send us m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n on your organisation.. P e r h a p s a brief h i s t o r y on yo u r f o r m a t i o n and an u p d a t e on t h e a c t i v i t i e s in w h i c h y o u a r e p r e s e n t l y e n g a g e d and s o m e c o p i e s of your n e w s m a g a z i n e . I t w o u l d a l s o h e l p us if y o u c o u l d g i v e s o m e i n d i c a t i o n of h o w you e n v i s a g e t h i s tour, t h e f o r m it takes, length of time, a p p r o x i m a t e t i m e of t h e y e a r ,etc.

I h a v e a l s o e n c l o s e d s o m e of our mo s t r e c e n t m e d i a and n e w s l e t t e r s .

L o o k i n g f o r w a r d to h e a r i n g f r o m you.

In p e a c e and s o l i d a r i t y

------ ----- 1 ^A d e l e K i r s t e n (ECC N a t i o n a l S e c r e t a r y )

End Conscription Campaign227/9 Khotso House 42 De Villiers Street Johannesburg 2000Tel: 337-6796 Telex: 4-86519 S.A.

16 September 1987

Dear Maggie

Here is a list of some of the types of cultural events that ECC has done over

the past few months. With each event I have tried to include some of the

relevant media and press coverage given to the events in the regional ECC

newsletters.

I hope that this will serve its purpose.

It seems that there is this sudden spate of correspondence - you should also

be getting a copy of the most recent report on ECC's activities and direction

for the past 4 months. Steven and I will also get something off to you posthaste.

In love and strength

C C

227/9 Khotso House 42 De Villiers Street Johannesburg2000

Tel: 337-6796 Telex: 4-86519 S.A.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES OF ECC.

ECC haS a,ways placed a lot of emphasis on our cultural activities. We have

public^ " 8 and 1n"°VatiVe ^ t0 PreSent *0 the broad

Herewith follows a list of the most recent cultural activities :

3 wlraTthe eXibit,°"we s at the Black Sun (a slightly alternative/trendy venue in Johannesburg)

and the opening coincided with International Namibia Day on August 26th. '

2. Johannesburg ECC organised a very successful concert in central Jhb on

ugust 8th, 1987. The theme/title of the concert was Combat Combat.

Approximately 1000 people attended the concert. The programme also included items of poetry and cabaret.

A p r n ethisrban K C Hbra"Ch h3S h8,d tK° V6ry SUCC6SSfUl C°"CertS- The « « 1"Apr, this year and was called ECCs Rock Against the War. It featured several

popu ar ocal bands, with an attendance of about 300 people. (Enclosed is a clipping of the event)

The second, much larger and more comprehensive event, was held on August 8th

this year and was billed "Out of Step". The concert included poetry readings

Photographic exhibitions, jazz musicians, an art exhibition, etc. Enclosed are some clippings and a poster.

L I T T °rSan,'Sed 3 huse outd°°r Mr - May this year. It included a variety of exhibitions; media tables of the various member organisations, videos-

ames an activities for adults and children such as finger painting and kite- ’

flying. It was an all day event and thousands of people attended. There were

attempts to intimidate some of the organisers during the planning stages of the

smear'pamhlets^ ^ ‘ he,’C°Pter fle“ °Verhead and dr<W ed h“"<feds of anti-ECC

End Conscription Campaign227/9 Khotso House 42 De Villiers Street Johannesburg 2000

Tel: 337-6796 Telex: 4-86519 S.A.

20 September 1987

Dear

Warm greetings to you! Here is the long awaited report of the activities of

ECC over the past 4 months. I trust that this will give you an update of our

organisation andwhat we expect to be doing over the next few weeks.

From this month on, I will give a monthly report on the state of ECC which

will include the various regional activities, repression reports, direction

of the organisation's work- any new trends, etc.

I will still continue to send more bulkypackapes which will include the

regional publications and media producedby the various regions.

We continue to value your support and encouragement of our work here.

Strength and courage in your own work.

Yours in struggle

End Conscription Campaign227/9 Khotso House 42 De Villiers Street Johannesburg 2000

Tel: 337-6796 Telex: 4-86519 S.A.

REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES AND DIRECTION OF ECC - May - August 1987 .

Since the period of post-election analysis in May this year, ECC has focussed

on analysis and evaluation of our content and the form of our message. At points

we have been harsh in our criticism, particularly with regard to the unstructured

and sometimes ad hoc nature of our message : too much media output which has a large

propagandistic value but has insufficient meaningful content. We have also

recognised that the Emergency Regulations and repression used by the government

against ECC, has forced us to adapt our message and the style in which we work.

We have come out of a period of defensiveness and generally our morale“at a

national level is high. As a result of the emphasis placed on the conceptual

discussion, most of our work over the past 4 months has been evaluation,

internal consolidation, restructuring in some regions, internal review and

education. This has meant a lack of concerted public work, perhaps with the

exception of the Durban branch.

Despite the intense conceptual discussions that have occured, we recognise that it

is an ongoing process and that there are still some gaps in our understanding of

where the future direction for ECC lies and that we need to be developing a more

systematic approach to our work. This has generated a sense of renewed energy and

vision for ECC. We are undoubtedly at our strongest point since the State of

Emergency.

At the National Committee held in Natal in August1987, regions reported a consoli­

dation of this evaluation process and there was a recognition that no conceptual

discussion is an end in itself but rather that it is an ongoing process of review

which is vital to inject new direction and action for any organisation.

A concensus emerged that ECC needs to maintain its single issue focus but that

we need to contextualise our opposition to conscription more firmly within an

anti-apartheid stance. We agreed that we need to continue taking the gaps wherever

possible , particularly within the public sphere and that we need to re-assert our

public presence. Since the State of Emergency we have been very focussed on our

right to exist as an organisation, and now that we have regained some of our

legitimacy, we need to on the offensive.

Most regions have had some forms of public work , but happening mostly as single

events and not necessarily in the context of a campaign.

Durban ECC has perhaps had the most consistent and comprehensive public programme

in the last 2 months. Their campaign encompassed several aims and foci : the national

call-up day on August 3rd; the month of compassion(August is the month of compassion

in the ecumenical churches' calender); International Namibia Day on 26 August.

They held a "Conscripts Right to Know" meeting on the night before the call-up

day; there was an unbroken fast from August 1st - August 26th - remembering the

victims of the war( these pamphlets were enclosed in the most recent package)-

it culminated in the breaking of the fast on INternational Namibia Day with a

hurch service; a cultural concert; media tables, seminars and debates oh the ----

University of Natal campus.

Perhaps the most exciting event in the country around the call-up, was the

statement by the 23 objectors in Cape Town, on their refusal to serve in the SADF.

This action received widespread media coverage, particularly in the Cape papers.

I have enclosed copies of the pressclips and the Cape Town regional newsletter.

During the past few months we have had two mini tours/reports back from two ECC

members. The first was that of Ivan Toms. He had received a call up for an army

camp to report on July 1st. He had decided to refuse to serve rather than to

'fail to serve' as in the case of Phillip Wilkinson. In order to gain support

for his stand he did a mini speaking tour of the country. The intention of the tour

was specifically low profile (mostly for security reasons) and was seen as something

around which to mobilise ECC members and our member organisations. The personal

contacts that were made during his natioanl tour were invaluable both for ECC and

for the issue of his stand as a C.O. His call-up was withdrawn 5 days before the

due day of reporting.

After Laurie's return from the United States, he did a very quick mini tour report

back to all the regions around the country. It was very important for ECC members

to hear this experience first hand and it generated a lot of enthusiasm for the

whole issue of working with veterans of the war in South Africa ie: those who

have served their two years and no longer want to continue serving in the SADF and/

or who have real crises of conscience about serving their camps.

In most of the regional newsletters the US tour is covered very positively

as people were able to get a real sense of what the tour had been for ECC through

this process of personal report back.

With both of the mini tours,the sense of ECC as a national organisation was enhanced

and it enabled a flow of information from region to region. It was also a morale

booster.

The most recent 'national action'1 of ECC was the focus on International Namibia

Day on 26th August. Activities ranged from a morning picket of about 45 people

in Durban, protesting the continued illegal occupation of Namibia;

a public meeting on Pietermaritxburg campuswith a Namibian speaker giving the main

adress - he was a vicitim of the Kassinga riads and also gave evidence at Philip

Wilkinson's trial in May;

the opening of a photographic exhibition depicting^the war situation in Nambia -

organised by the Johannesburg ECC - whcih also included a talk by a censcript-who.. ~

had done his initial two years of military service andhad served some time in

Namibia;

a series of 3 seminars with the focus on Southern Africa and looking at the role

of the SADF in the destabilisation of the region, orgainsed by Cape Town ECC;

church services remembering the victims of the war in Namibia.

There have been several large and successful cultural events. In May, Cape Town

organised a public fair whcih was attended by thousands of people throughout the

day. Activities included kite-flying, finger painting, games, media displays and

tables, video shows, etc. The organisers received several threats prior to the day

and on the day of the fair a helicopter flew overhead and dropped hundredsof

anti-ECC smear pamhlets. ECC has made a formal enquiry with regard to the legality

of this action interms of the aviation regulations. This is still being investigated

and was raised at parliamentary level.

Durban had a very successful cultural concert on August 8th. Ihe event featured

poetry, dance, cabaret, art exhibitions and music. It was well attended and

raised some funds for the region.

Johannesburg ECC organised a cultural concert ( otherwise referred to as a jorl)

on August 8th and it was called Combat Combat! Again a very successful event

drawing about 1000 people and boosting ECC's coffers.

The best news of this past quarter has been the release of Janet Cherry from

detention - after almost a year in detention. She has been restricted from

participating in the activities of the ECC, NECC (National Education Crisis

Committee), and the Adult Education Literacy Project with whom she was employed

prior to her detention. She has not been restricted from the activities of

the UDF or the Black Sash. Her release has had an energising effect on the PE

ECC.

Repression.

We are seeing a new strategy on the part of the government with regard to repression

and taking action against democratic organisations such as ECC.

It has become clear that there is a much more spphisticated and co-ordinated

programme in operation. Direct repression (detentions, etc) has lessened and

there has been a shift to indirect repression : harassment, smears, etc. We have

no doubt that these natioanlly co-ordinated smear camp aigns against' ECC a re--the -

work of the JMC's (Joint Management Centres).

Since May, there have been constant threats from members of Parliament and P.W.

Botha himself, about clamping down on the activities of the extra-parliamentary

groupings. This would happen primarilt through the cutting off of foreign funds

(tightening up the Fundraisng Act legislation) and setting up Commissions of

Inquiry into the activities of these organisations. We continue to wait with

bated breath for the expected clampdowns and nothing happens. However that does not

mean that we have been forgotten! This is evident in the increased low-level

smear campaigns, using petty charges of illegal possession of banned material to

discredit ECC members , personal harassment and intimidation of our members.

The most recent incident of direct personal harassment was the brief detention

of the Johannesburg regional worker, Judith Soal, on September 1st outside Khotso

House (SACC building). She was physically assaulted and verbally abused. Appropriate

legal action has been taken. (Enclosed is a copy of the press release).

Six members of the University of the Witwatersrand ECC branch were raided in their

homes on the morning of September 3rd - the day of their Namibia focus on campus.

No one was detained but personal details were noted and some ECC publications

removed from their homes.

In this climate we need to continue with stringent security measures to ensure

efficient and effective work.

At present ECC is absorbed in helping with the preparation for the Five Freedoms

Conference to be held in Johannesburg on the week-end of the 25th - 27th September.

(Enclosed is a copy of the programme of events and a brochure advertising the conference)

It is an exciting and new development in progressive politics in South Africa

and one which we hope will be able to come up with some concrete actions and plans

to enable more and more white South Africans to distance themselves from apartheid

and to join organisations that are working for a just and democratic future in

this country.

We are also preparing for our own National Conference, scheduled for the 8th-11th

October 1987. There is much anxiety with regard to the security of this conference

and concern about whether we will be able to arrange it successfully without the

government intervening through bannings, detentions, etc. Our last national

conference was held in Natal in Jnauary 1986. We have not even considered having

a national conference since the State of Emergency, mainly due to security ri'S'ks:

However we felt that it was essential for ECC to go ahead and plan this conference

now. The agenda is fairly comprehensive and we expect to come out of the conference

with having generated a strong feeling and sense of ECC as a vibrant, relevant

national organisation and to have some clarity on a common direction and programme

of action for 1988.

End Conscription Campaign GrahamstownP.O. Box 498, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa Telephone (0461) 27122

2 October 1987To our friends in other countries

Request for messages of support

The Grahamstown branch of the End Conscription Campaign, an organisat ion which opposes compulsory mil itary service in South Africa because of the role which the army plays in maintaining apartheid, is holding a celebrat ion to mark our forth anniversary.

The programme includes speeches by a representat ive of the tw en ty - th ree conscripts who^ recently s ta t ed publicly that they wouid not serve in the S.A. Defence Force, and by o ther prominent figures who oppose conscript ion, as well as the opening of an exhibition of an t i -w ar a r t and some musical i tems by a singing group associated with E.C.C.

This event, which takes place on the evening of Friday 16 October, will use the slogan 4 Years of National Service - Happy Birthday E.C.C.", which expresses our belief

that in the four years s ince its inception the End Conscription Campaign has served South Africa by fighting to rid the country of apartheid and mil itarisation.

While we would love to have representat ives of your organisat ion with us on the day, unfortunately tha t is impossible, and so we are requesting a message of support, possibly in the form of a birthday card. Messages may be sent to the address above, or telexed to 4-86519 SA, marked "a t t en tion E.C.C."

Thank you very much for your support.

That comple tes the formal par t of the ie t te r . However 1 thought it might be nice to include a brief descript ion of Grahamstown for general in te res t ' s sake.

Grahamstown is s i tua ted ir? the Eas tern Cape, roughly half way be tween Port Elizabeth and East London, and about 50km inland. It has a population of about 80 000, of whom 12 300 are classified "white" by the government. As with all South African towns, residential areas are str ic t ly segregated: for "whites" there are nice suburbs with ’ houses built of brick, ta r red roads, el ect r ici ty, running water and, of course, proper sewerage - in short , p r e t t y much like a small town in any developed country. For so- cal led "blacks" there is the township, with houses built mostly from clay and corrugated iron, bumpy unta rred roads which are impassable a f te r heavy rain (except to police landrovers which are 4-wheel drive), no elect r ici ty, one wate r tap for each ten houses, and bucket sewerage.

Grahamstown is " fo r tuna te " to have its own military base, home of the 6th South African Infantry, who "p ro tec t" us from the blacks by patrol ling the township in armoured vehicles known as "Buffels", which look a bit like large motorized wheel­barrows. They assist the police in "maintaining law and order" by detaining large numbers of people without t rial for long periods. It is widely al leged tha t the Security Police then do fairly nasty things to the people who have been detained to "persuade" them to "volunteer" information.

Branches: Cape Town, Durban, East London, G raham stow n, Johannesburg, P ie term aritzburg , P re to ria , Port E lizabeth, S tellenbosch. National member organisations: Black Sash, C atholic Jus tice and Peace Commission, Catholic War and Peace G roup, Conscientious O bjector Support Group, M ethodist C hristian Citizenship D epartm en t, N ational E ducation Union of South A frica , N ational Union of South A frican S tuden ts, S tudent Union for C hristian A ction.

While all of this is going on in the townships, police stat ions and prisons of our country, "whites" remain blissfully unaware of it, due in part to the massive censorship and in par t to a desire not to know, or even a coldhearted indifference. The television tells us tha t the si tuat ion is being "normalized", and tha t "unres t" is on the decline. The township is far enough away for one only to hear the occasional gunshots if one is listening for them.

The Grahamstown branch of the End Conscription Campaign is small by comparison with the branches in Cape Town and Johannesburg, with about 30 com mit ted active members. A lot of our work is focussed on Rhodes University, s ince this offers a large const i tuency of about 3 500 students who have less conservative a t t i tudes than the average "white" South African. We also concen tra te on schools - al though its not easy to get access to this const i tuency - and various Church groups. Our work over the last two years has been hampered by detentions and restr ict ions - the general pa t te rn is tha t people are detained for periods of three months or so, and then released and issued with res tr ict ion orders which make it illegal for them to continue working in various progressive organisat ions.

I hope I haven' t pain ted too bleak a picture . It is very strange writing to people overseas because one has to consciously remember a lot of things which one is so used to tha t they hardly seem worth commenting on. But all is not lost - there are a growing number of "whites" who are beginning to see through the government 's propaganda and are star t ing to look for al ternat ives. And there are a growing number of conscripts doing their mil itary service who are beginning to real ise that the National Party is leading the country towards a bloody civil war. And there are a growing number of Christians who are waking up to the fac t tha t aparthe id is a denial of everything which Christianity stands for.

Love and solidarity,

Andrew Roos, Chairperson

End Conscription Campaign227/9 Khotso House 42 De Villiers Street Johannesburg2000

Tel: 337-6796 Telex: 4-86519 S.A.

22 September 1987

Dear Thea Sutherland

Thank you for your interest in the work of our organisation. I have

enclosed some of our publications and a pamhlet "What is the End

Conscription Campaign" which outlines very clearly the history and

work of ECC.

The End Conscription Campaign is wholely South African and we do

not have any branches or representatives working anywhere else in

the world. We are an organisation which has responded to the specific

dilemma of conscription in the South African situation.

Due to the nature of our work we have had contact with several international

organisations who are involved in anti-military work, such as the

War Resisters League(WRL) and the War Resisters International (WRI). WRL are

based in the USA with the head office in New York. WRL has organised two

very successful speaking tours for ECC over the past 18 months and have

a good understanding of our work. We have received very solid support from

these and other international bodies for our work in South Africa.

I trust that you will find the information useful. For any further information

on our organisation, please keep in touch.

Yours Sincerely

' --------------- ? .

Adele Kirsten (ECC National Secretary)

End Conscription Campaign227/9 Khotso House 42 De Villiers Street Johannesburg 2000

Tel: 337-6796 Telex: 4-86519 S.A.

20 September 1987

Dear

Warm greetings to you! Here is the long awaited report of the activities of

ECC over the past 4 months. I trust that this will give you an update of our

organisation andwhat we expect to be doing over the next few weeks.

From this month on, I will give a monthly report on the state of ECC which

will include the various regional activities, repression reports, direction

of the organisation's work- any new trends, etc.

I will still continue to send more bulkypackages which will include the

regional publications and media producedby the various regions.

We continue to value your support and encouragement of our work here.

Strength and courage in your own work.

Yours in strugglet o

W ) t u

£r,c/ GmiCf'ipi'ifri.

End Conscription Campaign227/9 Khotso House 42 De Villiers Street Johannesburg 2000

Tel: 337-6796 Telex: 4-86519 S.A.

Overview of ECC - September/October 1987

T l_

Introduction

The activities of the organisation over the last 2 months have reflected the typical

end of the year tailing off. The branches have been involved in the preparation

for National Conference which was scheduled for the 8- 11th October 1987 in

Natal. We neededto take emergency decisions re: going ahead with the conference

at the booked venue as it was at the height of the severe floods which devastated

the Natal region. The conference was postponed to the end of November but again

rescheduled due to too many members being involved in fianl year university exams

and other conferences. We have set a firm date for February 1988.

In many ways then the organisation has been in limbo, waiting for the conference

to happen and thus to enable us to make final decisions about certain projects

(eg: an international ECC record, proposed VVAW tour to SA) and also to

further develop our understanding with regard to ECC1s direction and programme

of action for 1988, particularly wrt the new emphasis on more fully representing

the conscript. This state of limbo has been reflected in the relatively low level

of activity in most of the regions and in our less vigorous public image.

However, despite the lack of concrete action, there seems much greater clarity and

concensus on what our focus needs to be next year; a greater focus on the conscript.

The sense that emerged out of the most recent National Committee(NC) is that ECC

has a very definite message to bring to the white community, for conscription

remains a major issue of concern . For many young people it is the issue. In terms

of ECC1s established objectives (which have become increasingly difficult to pursue

under the Emergency regulations and general repressive condition^), conscripts

remain an importnat constituency. ECC has focussed on the conscripts dilemna and '

attempted tp project his concerns and demands. What is new about the current

iniative is that ECC is wanting to speak directly with the conscript, soldier and

camper as constituencies in their own right. We need to understand where they are

at; how different types of conscripts see things; and how best to reach them. ECC

needs to be the organised voice of the "unwilling conscript".

We have moved in this direction not only in the light of understanding what is important and correct for ECC to do but these decision are also influenced by what is happening in the broad political climate in South Africa. There are several indicators that our new emphasis on the conscript is appropriate.

1. The action of the 23 objectors in Cape Town in August this year has generated a new interest and recognition of the different forms that war resistances can take. That action and the subsequent impact they as individuals and as a group have had on the broader community has influenced the thinking of some of the groups working around the issue of conscientious objection and war resistance.

2. At the Conscientious Objector Support Group(COSG) Conference in early October there was a firm resolve to give wider and more public recognition to all those young men who resist participation in the SADF in whatever form that occurs : those who go into exile, those evading within the country, those in the homelands, those who take public stands such as the action of the 23, those who take an individual stand and are prepared to go to jail(such as Ivan Toms), and those who have taken the alternative community service.

3. The general political climate suggests that there is a middle ground within the the white community which can be drawn away from their support of apartheid.That group is seeking a political home and wants to engage in some action which will result in concrete solutions for the conflict in this country. Increasingly, we, as ECC need to be identifying with and representing more closely one of the central fears and concerns of that white community : the call-up papers and response to conscription.

ECC is still very much in the process of conceptual discussion around this issue in all of the regions . The two national organisers,Clare and Nic, have prepared a workshop which they will help implement in all the regions prior to the National Conference in 1988. This is to ensure that all the regions and ECC membership are familier with and entering into discussion vis a vis our new emphasis on the conscript. It's important to stress that it is not so much a new direction as a new emphasis for our organisation.

ACTIVITIES

Since the focus on International Namibia day there has been no national ECC action but rather regions embarking on their own local activities. The only event which has sparked some national action was the acknowledgement by Minister of Defence, General Magnus Malan, of the SADF's involvement in the war in Angola on October 4th.I will give a brief overview of that action and a description of some of the high­lights regionally.

- Angola :

Cape Town - The University of Cape Town (UCT) branch of ECC responded immediately on 6 October with a lunch-time public meeting which was well attended. Cape Town and UCT held a picket protesting against the involvement of the SADF nad sent a delegation to the Defence HQ in Cape Town to make representation to the authorities on behalf the conscripts and those concerned about conscripts being forced to serve in the SADF. (Enclosed is a press clip of the action)

Johannesburg - ECC held a public meeting on 14th October. Despite good advertising and good speakers on the platform ( Jan van Eck - defected from the PFP and is now an independent MP; ex-soldier who had served in Namibia and Angola) the crowd was disappointing, (about 350 people) It would seem though an indication of the general public's acceptance and numbed reaction to SA's participation in the war in Angola.

On the whole the response to the Angola issue in October was slow and not very powerful. A reminder to the ECC to be more conscious of the goings on in the Southern Africa region and to integrate those issues into our public work.Since the latest announcements of deaths and casaulities(November 11th)there have been numerous press statements, letters to the editor, radio broadcasts and interviews with Newsweek from ECC demanding the withdrawal of the troops out of Angola.

- Janet Cherry:

Janet, formerly the Port Elizabeth ECC Chairperson, was nominated as one of the Rising Stars in the annual Star Women of the Year competition She was nominated by Gavin Evans and they both attended the very formal luncheon held in Johannesburg on September 9th. (Enclosed are some press clips)

- Wits University Referendum :

The Wits ECC branch ran a referendum on campus to determine the support for the concept of the right of young white South African males to choose whether or not they serve in the SADF or not. The poll was 26% and about 95% of those polled voted in favour of the question posed by the referendum. Wits are considering taking the results to the University Council for further action around the issue.

- Five Freedoms Forum Conference :

ECC had representatives from all 14 branches at the Conference. Johannesburg ECC members had particularly been involved in the planning and conceptualisation of this conference. We were involved at several levels.Michael Evans, a Cape Town ECC member of longstanding and now a respected lawyer, was one of the key speakers at the plenary session on Sunday entitled "Whites in a Changing South Africa." His talk was excellent and well received by the capacity audience of 1 000.

Nic Borain, current ECC national organiser, gave a joint input with MaMon Lacey in one 6f the workshops entitled "Living in a War torn Society.

ECC facilitated a workshop entitled "Opposing Militarisation" which focussed more on concrete action on how to effectively oppose the growing militarisation of South African society.

We also had a constant presence through our well stocked media table. (Enclosed are press clips from the event)

It was stimulating and exciting to be part of such an historic event in the tradition of politics in this country. We believe-that ECC will benefit from this mood within the white community of looking for new ways in which to break from apartheid.

- Debate at University of Durban :

The Durban campus ECC'was challenged to a public debate by the Democratic Students Alliance (DSA), a branch of the conservative National Student Federation (NSF). It has been one of the major public successes for Durban ECC and ECC nationally in the most recent months. It has ensured that the Durban campus ECC is in a strong position with the majority of the students and the staff, with many of the myths surrounding E C C S sinister connections being dispelled. About two thousand students turned out for the debate. Subsequently ECC have received mant positive comments on their style, knowledge and integrity with which they presented ECCs issues.

- Grahamstown celebrates ECC1 s 4th Birthday :

This has been an important public event for Grahamstown, devoid of much of the usual harassment and surveillance - an important advance for the Eastern Cape to be able to work in this way. It was seen as an event which would assert ECC's presence in the Grahamstown community, to give them a platform which would be protected from state harassment and also to celebrate their continued existence. The theme was "Four years of National Service - Happy Birthday ECC". It was designed to contrast with the 4 years of military service required by conscripts. The event combined a variety of actions - a public meeting addressed by ex PFP MP for the area, Errol Moorcroft, a Black Sash speaker and an ECC speaker and 2 of the 23 objectors from Cape Town; musical events which included a township band, a jazz blues rendition ; poetry; plays; photographic displays and paintings.

- ECC has been in the midst of preparation for Ivan Toms's November 12th call-up. He has just completed a very quick and public tour of the country. (Enclosed is the press coverage obtained during that period). Public meetings were held in Pietermaritzburg, Durban, Pretoria, Johannesburg, P.E. and Grahamstown. He also spoke at a public meeting in Cape Town , 2 days prior to his call-up.He reported for duty at his unit on Thursday and refused to serve. He was taken to a magistrates court and charged with refusing to serv&. The case was remanded until Nov. 30th.A letter will follow explaining in more detail the actions just prior to his call-up date and the international support given.

REPRESSION

This continues unabated in the form of anti-ECC stickers, pamphlets and graffitti. The Aida Parker Newsletters(APN) and the Veterans for Victory continue to smear ECC in their publications - either just a mention or with the whole issue being dedicated to ECC. They continue to get more sophisticated in their smear tactics against us. ECC's constant response to this through press statements or counter smear publications continues to drain our resources. Our legal action is also very limited - Supreme Court interdicts or Media Council hearings - both of which are costly in terms of financial outlay and personpower.

We have seen a slight increase in the individual harassment of our members, such as car tyres being slashed, houses being mysteriously robbed; abusive telephone calls; receiving hate mail and pornographic material through the post; disruption of public activities and anti- ECC material being openly distributed by several people at ECC public events; intimidation of members through security police visits (long, friendly chats) or raids on members houses.

The latest in widespread and sophisticated smear work is a lengthy document on ECC produced by a conservative womens groups and distributed to all the principals of the schools in the Transvaal. The document ii entitled "Leaving South Africa Defenceless. The End Conscription Campaign ." and compiled by Women for South Africa.

One of the items on the agenda for National Conference is a thorough review of our present strategy wrt responses to all these various smears and considering a more sohpisticated approach on our part.

Conclusion

On the whole ECC'§ strength remains at an organisational level, but needing to look at how we can take the gaps which are presenting themselves at present(such as the Angola issue) in a more effective manner. We recognise that we have had

an'incredibly difficult year - mostly being on the defensive

but clearly moving into a more coherent and well thought out direction for the next year. The sense of urgency which has emerged around the issue of South Africa's involvement in the war in Angola (such as why the SADF is there and what they are doing there) clearly demonstrates that ECC is reflecting quite broadly the same questions a£ that of the public - questioning the morality of forced participation in a war situation that has been initiated and maintained by the South African government. The call for a n’end to conscription remains a crucial area of work in the struggle for a just and democratic future in this country.

In Peace with justice

Adele Kirsten (ECC National Secretary)

Enclosures:

Press clips on Ivan Toms call-up on Nov 12th

Press clips of ECC activities from August - Nov ’87.

Smear campaign against ECC in Cape Times & ouf response

National Organiser, Nic Borain's article in a local magazine Frontline

Programme and pressclips of the Five Freedoms Forum Conference

Report in the Star newspaper on the Feminism and Nonviolence Conference in Ireland

Article on National Secretary, Adele Kirsten, in the Cosmopolitan:

2 pamphlets on Angola

ECC Focus from Cape Town

Jhb ECC Spring Fair invitation Wits ECC Referendum pamphlet

cc:

Collection Number: AG1977

END CONSCRIPTION CAMPAIGN (ECC)

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