should remain intact during negotiations. Wesincerely believe thatgoodgovernment isessential inthetransitional phasetoavoidanarchy ordelaythenegotiation process. Meetings withvarious Parties andLeaders Apart fromthemeetings withtheANC,important rounds of talkswereheldbetween theStatePresident andleaders of theFirstandSecondTierGovernmental Institutions, ofwhich amajority areBlack. Thelatest meeting whichtookplace on10August 1990, primarily addressed questions relating tothefuture of regional government, waysofparticipation inthefuture negotiating process andtheunacceptable levelofviolence in thecountry. Therewasconsensus that: (1) (2) (3) (4)Effective andorderly government mustproceed within existing structures untiltheyarereplaced ina constitutional manner bynegotiated newstructures. Constitutional reform mustfundamentally address central, regional andlocallevelsofgovernment. Looking atthefuture,itwillprobably benecessary toprovide fortheconstitutional accommodation of thediversity ofregional interest andcircumstances prevailing within SouthAfrica. Therefore devolution ofpowertoregional government mustbeseriously considered. Preparatory investigations into available options areindicated, without pre-empting thenegotiation process. Itshould bepossible forpolitical organisations withrecognized support toparticipate inthe negotiation process through theirrepresentatives in thenegotiation process. Further exploratory discussions arerequired beforethisprocess canbe structured. Itwastherefore resolved tosetupaworking groupof representatives ofcentral andregional government tofurther explore -/... Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibraryA,/ 44/ 97 6 Engl i sh (a) the principLes and concepts concerning regional government i (b) steps to be undertaken in the event of thesubstitution of existing second tier constitutionalstructures by a new systemi (c) without in any yray pre-etnpting negotiations orbinding parties, alternatives for the composition ofa negotiating forun, hos repregentatives to such aforum should be identified and which steps are neededto reach that goal. The working group uould be free to co-ordinate with otherrorking groupE or bodies concerned r{ith related natters. In a Joint connunique it was stated that! "In dolnq the above we, rho have for tnany years yalked thepath of peaceful progreEs. wilL be continuing on thatroad. Recent developnentg have raised hotr€s that all ourcountrynen will soon sit dorn together to begin realnegotiationa toBarda a ner denocratic South Africa".
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the political situation in South Africa, specifically the negotiations for a new democratic government. The focus is on the transition process, government structures, and regional governance, indicating that the main concern is political and institutional rather than economic or social.

**Category**
Politics, Governance