But, as in the case of the former Soviet Union, South Africa needs help. The economy, once Africa's strongest (in spite of the horrendously inefficient apartheid system) is reeling under the blows of Western economic sanctions, Western divestment, desertion by South African capital and skilled professionals, and a population growth rate that far outstrips growth in the gross rational product.

Furthermore, AIDS has spread uncontrollably across the country. It is estimated that by the year 2000, 7.5 million South Africans will be HIV positive (South African's population is a little over 32 million.)

To make matters worse, the worst drought in a century has hit southern Africa this year--famine threatens to engulf the entire region. Normally a big exporter of food, South Africa will have to import four million tons of corn this year, or about two-thirds of its consumption.

SO THE CHOICE for American foreign policy is clear. We can support South Africa now, helping them chart a course toward joining the club of newly democratic, economically advancing nations. Or we can sit back and watch as it deindustrializes and collapses into Lebanon-style tribal warfare, pulling the rest of southern Africa down with it. The U.S. has made an enormous investment for change in South Africa. Have we become so penny-pinching that we refuse to make the final effort to bring democracy to the nation.?

Some steps should be taken immediately. The American government has already lifted most sanctions against South Africa, but some loan restrictions remain in place. The U.S. should lift these and should send major economic and technical assistance, as well as food aid, as soon as possible.

Furthermore, Washington should lean on its allies to do the same. But the federal government is only a part of the story. States and municipalities who have passed their own sanctions against South Africa should annul these as well. And government officials and activists alike should encourage American businesses which divested in the 1980s to go back to South Africa and set up shop again.

Such economic support will give us leverage in South African politics. But we should not try to use this leverage to benefit any side in the negotiations on a new constitution. Such heavy-handed tactics could only help to jeopardize the fragile spirit of accommodation and reconciliation now taking hold.

In his speech announcing the "yes" vote in the referendum, President de Klerk said, "It doesn't often happen that in one generation a nation gets the opportunity to rise above itself." The U.S. has already risen above itself twice during the Bush administration alone: in repelling Saddam Hussein from Kuwait, and in creating a Marshall-type aid program for the consolidation of democracy in Russia.

Now a third such opportunity, to promote political and economic stability in South Africa, has arisen. George, this is no time to go wobbly.