SOUTH AFRICANS NEAR SUMMIT TERMS

September 17, 1992

South African negotiators yesterday predicted speedy progress by the government and the African National Congress (ANC) toward a summit between President Frederik de Klerk and Nelson Mandela.

Conciliatory signals from Mr. Mandela have boosted hopes for an early renewal of talks on a nonracial constitution, suspended in June after the massacre of at least 42 blacks in Boipatong township. Senior negotiators met Monday and Tuesday to clear the way for the summit and were due to consult again later this week.

Mandela said Tuesday night he would consider resuming talks if Mr. De Klerk undertook to address three issues: The government should release political prisoners, ban the carrying of dangerous weapons in public, and fence off migrant-worker hostels to quell political violence in the townships.