WORLD : Kaifu Bars Mandela’s Fund Plea

TOKYO —  Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu today rejected a request by Nelson Mandela for $25 million in aid to the African National Congress but offered funds for South African grass-roots groups.

The South African black leader, meeting with Kaifu and leading politicians, said the ANC wants the money to help 20,000 political prisoners due to be released soon by the South African government, according to news reports.

Kaifu, however, told the ANC deputy president that Japan does not give assistance to political parties.

Mandela said that he understands Japan’s restrictions on aid to political organizations but that he hopes to convince the leadership of the governing Liberal Democratic Party that the ANC has special status in South Africa.