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The Black American Lobby for Africa and the Caribbean

Vol. 11, No. 1 Winter 1992 HAITIAN MILITARY RETAINS CONTROL DESPITE EMBARGO U.S. Begins Repatriation of Refugees Following Court Order A resolution of the Haitian political firmation nor the meeting with Aristide Refugees Forcibly Returned crisis appeared to be near when exiled have taken place. President Jean-Bertrand Aristide agreed Aristide, who is Haiti's first demo­ TransAfrica has been steadfast in its to the first part of a negotiated plan by cratically elected President, has indicated opposition to the forced return of Haitian the Organization of American States that he will not endorse the entire OAS refugees who are seeking asylum - in (OAS) to restore constitutional plan until Theodore makes several response to the political turmoil . ~hat democracy. Aristide agreed io meet with political concessions. These include followed the ouster of President Aristide. Rene Theodore and accepted him as the publicly acknowledging Aristide's prima­ Over 15,000Haitians have sought succor candidate to become the new prime cy as president, denouncing the coup and from the United States after risking their minister in a settlement that would lead agreeing to the ouster of its leaders, lives on dilapidated and overcrowded to Aristide's return after an interim setting a date for Aristide's return, reach­ boats. For the last three months, most period. ing agreements on cabinet nominees and of these desperate refugees have been Unfortunately, OAS negotiating efforts devising a plan for reform. housed at Guantanamo Bay naval base stalled when Theodore and other Haitian Since the coup on September 30, 1991, in Cuba and on Coast Guard cutters. parliamentary leaders failed to appear for TransAfrica has supported the OAS Through a press conference and our the meeting with Aristide. According to economic embargo and its negotiation co-sponsorship of a national rally in an OAS official, Theodore did not want efforts to return constitutional democracy Washington, we have demanded that to attend such a meeting until the Haitian to Haiti. U.S. officials properly interview all parliament officially confirmed him as refugees and grant them the right to prime minister. Neither Theodore's con- continued, p. 2.

State and Local Sanctions in Jeopardy In his speech before the U.N. General Assembly in December, 1991, ANC President Nelson Mandela reiterated the need for international communities to retain federal, state and local sanctions against the apartheid regime. Although President Bush lifted federal sanctions last July, 26 states, one territory (Virgin Islands), 94 cities and 24 municipalities continue to enforce economic sanctions against the de Klerk government. However, sanctions are injeopardy in all of these regions. The South African government, which spent two million dollars lobbying for the lifting of federal sanctions, has now turned its campaign towards state and local sanctions. In this legislative session, most if not all regions ANC officials Oliver Tambo, Cyril Ramaphosa, Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu meeting with continued, p. 2. delegates of the Democracy Now Tour in Johannesburg. Seep. 2 for details. Haiti, cont. dangerous environment is irresponsible, Please write or call )Our Congressional mean-spirited and discriminatory," said representatives in support of these bills Robinson. which will be reviewed this session. apply for asylum from political persecu­ TransAfrica will continue to push for tion in Haiti. The Administration did not Congress to enact emergency legislation listen to our call. that will block the forced repatriation. On January 31, 1992, the U.S. We urge Congress to pressure the Supreme Court lifted the ban on the President and the Secretary of State to Foreign Aid Bill forced repatriation of Haitian boat take responsibility for this policy and to Up for Review in March people. TransAfrica condemned this publicly address the nation about the immigration policy as "callous and plight of the Haitian refugees. In 1991 TransAfrica successfully irresponsible." "The decision smacks of Several members of Congress, lobbied Congress to increase de\elopment political and racial discrimination and is particularly Congressman Charles Rangel assistance for Africa from $800 million grossly insensitive to the plight of Haitian (D-NY), have been outspoken in their (FY 1991) to $1 billion. The recession, refugees," said Randall Robinson. criticism of Bush's policies and their the upcoming Presidential election and TransAfrica will continue to decry the determination to allow Haitians equal the $10 billion in housing guarantees pro­ U.S. action as cruel and inhumane until protection as guaranteed under mised to Israel, all contributed to stalling the forced repatriation is halted. The international law. the passage of the foreign aid bill ofl 992. assertion that the refugees are fleeing Congressman Mazzoli (D-KY) has As presidential politics tum towards poverty and not political repression has sponsored a bill (H.R. 3844) which se\ere domestic economic problems, Con­ not been sufficiently substantiated. INS guarantees the protection of Haitians in gress has been hesitant to pass new figures clearly indicate increases in the the U.S. or in U.S. custody from forced foreign aid allocations. A continuing number of Haitian refugees following repatriation until democratic rule is res­ resolution was passed last fall which gives the. political crises caused by the foiled tored in Haiti. This bill also increases the Congress until March 31, 1992 to pass the ele~,::ions in 1987 and the coup in 1991. allocation of Haitian refugee admissions foreign aid bill. If the bill does not pass Experts have acknowledgt?d the Haitian to the U.S. H.R. 2508, sponsored by at that time, lower aid levels authorized mili-!:ary's violent opposition to democratic Congresssman Fascell (D-FL), prohibits for 1991 will apply for FY 1992. rule and the brutal means that they have aid to a military government in Haiti. Alternatively, Congress may pass another employed to discourage Aristide's The Senate approved the conference continuing resolution to delay the vote supporters. "To forcibly return these report but the House disapproved. again. individuals to this hostile and potentially Please contact your members of Congress and encourage them to support a foreign aid bill with $1 billion for Africa by March 31st. "DEMOCRACY Now TOUR" VISITS SOUTH AFRICA

Last summer, ANC President Nelson Mandela extended an invitation to prominent African Americans to visit South Africa for discussions on the progress of the anti-apartheid movement. TransAfrica was asked to assist with State & Local, cont. the logistics of the trip in conjunction with Lindiwe Mabuza, Chief Rep­ retaining sanctions will probably face resentative of the ANC to the United States. bills calling for their repeal. Since federal These arrangements culminated in a short fact-finding trip to South Africa sanctions were lifted, Oregon and Fairfax on October 19 - 22, 1991, called the Democracy Now Tour. TransAfrica County, VA have rescinded these laws. Executive Director, Randall Robinson, Legislative Director, Anne Griffin, and Florida, North Dakota and Missouri are Legislative Assistant, Kristin Wells, spent three days in South Africa last October already considering a similar move in this as participants in the "Democracy Now Tour." legislative term. In all, twenty-seven prominent Americans participated, representing a wide TransAfrica supports the will of the spectrum of fields from labor, business, entertainment and sports, to religion, South African majority in their call to politics and women's groups. The delegation consisted ofnotable personalities maintain sanctions. State and local including: Quincy Jones, Arthur Ashe, Earl Graves, Dorothy Height, sanctions have created the economic Congresswomen Maxine Waters, former Congressman Walter Fauntroy, pressure on the South African Bertram Lee, William Lucy and Mayor Richard Hatcher. government which has led de Klerk to the With this invitation, Nelson Mandela wanted to remind the world that negotiating table. progress in South Africa had to be measured very carefully. South Africans, The objective of one-person one-vote he said, are still suffering under apartheid. "Until all apartheid laws have been democracy has not yet been met in South abolished and non-racial, universal voting rights are enshrined in law, our quest Africa. Sanctions should not be lifted for freedom will continue," said Mandela. until a nonracial democracy in South The African National Congress took advantage of this visitto outline current Africa has been achieved. Please contact obstacles to negotiationsand to discuss South Africa's tremendous develop­ your local officials (governors, mayors, mental needs. Upon their return to the United States, the delegates expressed city councils, legislators, treasurers) to let a desire to ensure that South Africa become a more pronounced part of the them know that you want local sanctions Bush Administration's foreign policy agenda. maintained until there is true democracy in South Africa.

TilANSAFRICA NEWS, PAGE 2 Kenyan President Moi Arrests More Government Critics Foreign Aid Withheld by Western Donors

Bowing to internal and external As Mai's government falls into Address letters regarding Kenya to: pressure, Kenyan President Daniel arap disarray, former officials now with the Mr. Herman J. Cohen Moi agreed to allow multi-party opposition claim that Moi and the Asst. Secretary of State, Africa participation in Kenyan politics in military have planned a coup to end 2201 C Street NW Room 6234A December of 1991. TransAfrica remains progress towards democracy. The Moi Washington, DC 20520 skeptical of Mai's commitment to the government has denied these charges. Letters regarding continued withholding democratic process and his ability to Top officials have accused the defectors of aid by the Paris Club should be allow a fair transition to multi-partyism. of being Kikuyu tribalists who are addressed to: Opposition forces, now centered attempting to regain political control from Mr. Ronald W. Roskens around the Forum for the Restoration of Mai's Kalenjin ethnic group. Director, USAID Democracy (FORD) have been steadily TransAfrica continues to encourage 320 21st St. NW Room 5942 gaining strength over the last year, the U.S. government to exert tougher Washington, DC 20523 despite the arrests of prominent anti­ diplomatic and financial pressure on govemment critics. Mai's regime. Congress cut aid to Kenya In mid-January police broke into the (excluding humanitarian aid) in FY 1991. home of Professor Wangari Maathai, a That restriction willcontinue in 1992until leading environmentalist, to arrest her for Moi addresses his government's human Mobutu Shuns spreading a rumor that Moi was planning rights violations and makes progress a coup to prevent multi-party elections. toward democracy. Democracy in Zaire Former Vice President Josephat Karanja In November, the Paris Club meeting and businessman Matu Wamae were also of Western donor nations withheld arrested for "publishing , an alarming further loans to the Kenyan government The national conference for dem9cracy publication." All three are members of under similar stipulations. In its April was begun in August to negotiate a FORD and were freed on bail. meeting, the Paris Club will review the transition to democracy from Mobutu Last month, several cabinet ministers political situation in Kenya once again. Sese Seka's 27-year rule. The proceed­ and assistant ministers from Mai's Kenya Please continue sending letters to the ings resumed in December after a two African National Union (KANU) have State Department, encouraging tough month suspension following riots in resigned, accusing the government of cor­ action against President Moi until he September. Catholic Archbishop ruption and other un-democratic action. fully accepts the need for a fair system Monsengwo Pasinya was named chairman Many local and regional KANU officials of transition to democracy. and prospects appeared bright after have also resigned. Mobutu and his latest Prime Minister, Nguza Karl-I-Bond, made assurances of their commitment to the transition to democracy. After disputes over the number of opposition sympathizers amongst the conference delegates, Mobutu's supporters walked out in early January 1992. All government funding for the conference was withdrawn. Shortly thereafter, Nguza closed the conference claiming that it was "out of control" and too costly. It had become clear that the delegates were going to vote for Mobutu's removal. By closing the conference, the government was able to reclaim the power of planning the transition process. Nguza announced that he would hold parliamentary elec­ tions and allow the new parliament to write a new constitution and organize presidential elections. Opposition leaders were attacked by police when they attempted to march to the Presidential Palace in protest. They 1991 Scholarship Winner, Kiarma Cheatom of Chicago, lllinois. Courtesy Dwayne Freeman. have promised a general strike if the Essays for the 1992 Paul Robeson $1000 Scholarship are due by Aprill, 1992. Contact Kristin Wells conference is not re-opened. The U.S. at (202) 547-2550 regarding essay requirements. and Belgian governments have openly criticized the Zairian government for closing the conference.

TRANSAFRICA NEWS. PAGE 3 SAVE THE DATES!! TransAfrica Annual Weekend Approaches

The 11th Annual Conference will be held on June 5, 1992 in Washington, DC. The theme this year is "Transformations ------, in Africa and the Caribbean: Meeting Democracy's Challenge." I The day long conference will start at 8:00 a.m. in the Dirksen THANKS TO OUR INTERNS :I . I Senate Office Building. Notable panelists from the world of I academe, foreign policy, government, advocacy and non­ TransAfrica and the TransAfrica governmental organizations will discuss the current wave of Forum would like to thank all of our democracy in Africa and the refugee and immigration issues interns from 1991: Raffi Balian, Jory involving the Caribbean. Searching for solutions for the Steele, Tabitha Mann and Stacee Bain. crippling foreign debt that faces the Caribbean people is also Your work has been invaluable to us on the agenda. and we wish you the best of luck in On June 6th we will host TransAfrica's 15th Annual Dinner 1992! at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Over the years the dinner has become a prestigious high profile-event drawing up to 2,000 L------guests. Members like yourself will be joined by foreign heads of state, representatives from the State Department, members of Congress and the diplomatic corps, celebrities and other prominent African American guests. Register now for both the Conference and our Annual Dinner and show your continuing support for TransAfrica - the nation's only advocacy organization dedicated to building a progressive U.S. foreign policy towards Africa and the Caribbean. This is our chance to show the country and the Vol. 11, No. 1 Winter 1992 world that our voices and thoughts will continue to make a difference! TRANSAFRICA NEWS© We hope that you can attend these upcoming events and join TransAfrica's Annual Weekend Celebration. Special 545 Eighth Street SE Suite 200 travel arrangements and hotel rates are available. If you would Washington, D.C. 20003 like more information, please contact us at TransAfrica. The deadline for early registration rates is May 10th. Call us at (202) 547-2550 (202) 547-2550 today! Executive Director ...... Randall Robinson Legislative Director ...... Anne Griffin I I Legislative Assistant ...... Kristin Wells

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545 Eighth Street SE Suite 200

Washington1 DC 20003 (202) 5'47-2550 ~ 1 9 1<+..5 Mr. ~illi~m Minter 1B 3q Newton Str~et NW 11.;, :.nir1Jton DC 20oog

TRANSAFRICA NEWS In 1984 As South Africans intensified their struggle aga inst the apartheid regime, TransAfrica coordinated the Free South Africa Movement (FSAM) wh ich conducted daily protests in front of the South African Embassy for over one year.

In 1985 FSAM expanded nationwide. TransAfrica helped to bu il d support for comprehensive TransAfrica is the Black American lobby for Africa and the Caribbean with national of­ sanctions against South Africa. President Reagan was forced into instituting limited fices in Washington, D.C. , local chapters and 15,000 members across the United States. economic sanctions against South Africa. Join It! In 1986 FSAM joined the private-sector international anti-apartheid campaign by calling for In 1979 a boycott of Royal Dutch/Shell products. When Jimmy Carter was under re lentless conservative pressure to relax sanctions against Persi~t<:n t lobbyitig for stringent comprehensive econom ic sa~ctions .agai.nst South Africa Ian Smith's Rhodes ia, TransAfrica helped persuade the President to hold the line until resulted in House passage of the Dellums bill. Compromise leg1slat1on was pa~sed power was equ itably transferred to the democratically elected leaders of the new by both houses of Congress. Presidential veto of the bill was overridden with TransAfnca's Zimbabwe. support.

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All TransAfrica members receive the TransAfrica newsletter and legislative updates.

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