U.S. Lifts 35-Year Arms Embargo

The United States lifted a 35-year-old arms embargo against South Africa, Vice President Al Gore and South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki said in a joint statement. “This will take effect immediately through the suspension of debarment of South African companies which had been prohibited from U.S. defense trade,� the statement said. The embargo was imposed in protest against South African apartheid but was extended in response to a 1994 dispute between Pretoria and Washington over the extradition of South Africans accused in the United States of violating sanctions. Apartheid ended in 1994 when all-race elections were held.