f American Committee on Africa Steering Committee Meeting April 6, l970

Present: Nelson Bengston, Robert Browne, Hersohel Halbert, Dana IO.otzle, Elizabeth Landis, Andrew Norman, Robert Van Lierop

Staff: George Houser, Ben Peterson, Janet Hooper, Karen Oswalt l. Report on SharpeviUe program

It was generally agreed that the Sharpeville Benefit for the liberation movements, held March 22, was an artistic and political success, if not a financial one. Town Hall was filled for the program which was highlighted by and Miriam Makeba. Approximstel.y $400 profit 1-1as realized, which will be given to the liberation movewents through the Afri.oa Defense and Aid Fund. Travel expenses !rom the Republic of Guinea for Mil"iam Makeba and Stokely oCarmiclla.el, and the rental of Town Hall were the largest ecpenaes.

2. Finances

Ben Peterson reported that approximately $55,000 has been re­ ceived during the period January - March 1970. Of this amount, $13,000 repre:sented mail income (Annual Report and the December 1969 appeal); $35,000 organizational donations (primarily earmarked funds); and the remainder J:llie~el ] eneous income !rom literature. filnr rerrtal.&. etc. The boolckeeper was on 'lue'ticm 1J1 Muob • .Q<> -expendi~ for

Mr. Peterson added that the Budget Appeal which generally net& :from 41-5-20,000 is scheduled to be mailed this week.

George Houser reminded the Committee that while he is on leave from May through August, he will not be doing any pe~onaJ ttmd reJ.a. ing as is usually the case throughout the year. J. O!fice Organization during Absence of George Houser Janet Hooper will be in charge of the office while George Houeer is on writing leave. George asked that the Board be prepared to set up special committees to assist the staff if requested.

In response to his inquiry on behalf of the Committee about CIA complicity in the Center for Race Relations, Robert Browne pre• sented a letter from George Shepherd stating that he is aware of and would allow no such funds. Conmittee members will recall that it was decided to make this inquiry to protect George Houser and ACOA in his association with the Center during May~t 1970. Page Two

4. Nominations Robert Browne, Chairman of the Naninating Committee, reported that he had received several letters from Board members in response to his memo about new nominations and reelections. Mason Sears and Mark Cohen have regretfully resigned from the Board because of their inabUity to attend meetings. Paul Booth and William Scheinman wrote that they would like to remain on the Board despite many absences. Other members who have not attended meetings but who did not respond to the memo are: Donald Harringtcn, A. Philip Randolph, Ivanhoe Donaldson, Arthur Waskow.

It was moved and passed that Mason Sears be recommended for membership on the National Committee.

It was moved and passed that a recommendation be made to the Nominating Committee and the Board that MSsrs. Randolph and Harrington be removed from the Board and given the titular position of honorary co-chairmen, so that their continued absences will not affect the quorum.. They will continue to be invi ted to all Board meetings • New nominations received thus far include Josiah Beeman of the United Presbyterian Church and Gary Busch of the . The Nominating Committee was constituted as follows: Robert Browne, Chairman; Andrew Norman, Robert Van Lierop, George Houser. This Committee will meet prior to the April 20 Board meeting in order to prepare a recommendation to the Board. 5. Gulf Campaign Janet Hooper reported that a number of groups across the country are beginning to focus on anti-corporate activity. In New York, ACOA has met w1 th several other groups, predominantly churches, on the heavy involvement of Gulf Oil in southern Africa. Plans have been made to protest at the annual stockholders meeting to be held April 28 in Pittsburgh. The New York coalition is trying to coordinate with the "Gulf Action Project" a Pittsburgh group composed primarily of resistance people, which is also planning action for the stockholders meeting. Plans include a rally outside and people with proxies inside who will raise questions about Gulf's exploitation of Angola. Janet also reported that ACOA and a number of church officials met with three Gulf executives last week, and stated that they do not even pretend to be a "liberal" corporation, refusing to ·respond· to any questions they termed "political" - i.e., anything concerning Portuguese colonialism. Page Three

6. Possible Blood Donor Campaign George is exploring the feasibility of a campaign asking people to give blood for the liberation movements. Many technical questions must be answered, and he is meeting with Dr. John Hollanan as well as WHO on these matters. He has also written to several liberation movements to see whether they have the facilities and the need for blood at this time. At the time of his recent visit to the U. S. , Amilcar Cabral stated that the PAIGC is presently receiving blood from French sources. The Committee agreed that this idea should be pursued.