News In Brief

Thatcher tells Botha apartheid is unacceptable

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher told South African Prime Minister P. W. Botha of Britain's opposition to apartheid, official sources said. A Thatcher aide said: ''The South Africans were told it was unacceptable that a person's rights should depend on the color of his skin. This was said very forcibly.''

The prime ministers met Saturday at Chequers, Mrs. Thatcher's country residence near London. Botha avoided London, where police said more than 14,000 demonstrators marched through the streets in one of the largest anti-apartheid protests ever staged in the city.

Botha left Britain Saturday to continue a West European tour. He will visit West Germany, Belgium, Italy, Austria, and France.