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The Muldergate case was a triumph for the country's English-language press, particularly the Rand Daily Mail, which had led the way in pursuing the widening scandal. Unfortunately, any celebrating by the newspapers may prove shortlived. The government of Vorster's successor, Prime Minister P.W. Botha, pressed ahead last week with legislation that would drastically limit the power of the press to investigate clandestine government operations. If Botha and his colleagues have their way, any future Muldergates could be conducted safely out of public view.
President Carter, as expected, announced last week that he would not lift economic sanctions against the country that now calls itself Zimbabwe Rhodesia.
To do so at present, Carter said, would "seriously damage" the international relations of the U.S. The President acknowledged that pro-Rhodesian sentiment is running strong in the Senate, but vowed to do "everything I can, within my power," to prevent Congress from lifting sanctions on its own.
Carter conceded that Rhodesia had made some progress toward genuine majority rule by holding elections that resulted in the installation of the black-led government of Prime Minister Abel Muzorewa. But the President is convinced that the U.S. should move slowly on the Rhodesian issue, maintaining its ties with black Africa while pressing the Rhodesians for additional political reforms. In Salisbury, Muzorewa, who is a Methodist bishop, attacked Carter's statements as "an inhuman decision by a committed Christian." -