He also called for an intensification of Western economic sanctions against South Africa.

Most of the Western sanctions imposed on China in horror at the 1989 massacres have disappeared.

He said the Government had budgeted the money for a campaign to combat Western economic sanctions.

Economic recession and Western sanctions have slowed economic growth and left high unemployment.

The country's economy, he said, had been damaged by five years of Western sanctions, with their punitive trade and credit restrictions, that only recently were ended.

The net refers to a freeze on loans that could not automatically be rolled over because of Western economic sanctions.

Its economic problems are not caused exclusively by Western sanctions but reflect outside factors like the drop in the world price of gold, an important export.

The African National Congress does not want Western sanctions removed before it says so.

And they reiterated their opposition to Western economic sanctions and disinvestment.

Western sanctions on military aid are likely to increase the army's distaste for political interference, diplomats say.