WORLD IN BRIEF : SOUTH AFRICA : Blacks Call General Strike for Aug. 3-4

The government and the black opposition appeared headed for a major confrontation after the collapse of efforts to avert a general strike and resume talks on a new constitution. The African National Congress and trade union allies said they will go ahead with an Aug. 3-4 general strike as part of a campaign to force President Frederik W. de Klerk to agree to an interim government by year’s end. Talks between business leaders and the ANC-allied Congress of South African Trade Unions on averting a strike deadlocked, and each side said the other made unacceptable demands. Government and business leaders say the strike is likely to increase political tensions and hurt an economy already suffering from a 3-year-old recession.