INTERNATIONAL TRIBUTE TO MARTIN LU'PHER KING, JR.

Published by the United Nations Centre against Apartheid Department of Political and Security Council Affairs. INTERNATIONAL TRIBUTE TO MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

UN UBRARY

Record of the Special Session of the Special Committee against Apartheid held in Atlanta, on the 16 January, 1979, to pay tribute to the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the occasion of his 50th birthday.

UNITED NATIONS r/ New York, 1979 All material in this publication may be freely reprinted. Acknowledgement, together with a copy of the publication, would be appreciated. CONTENTS

STATEMENTS

One of the world's foremost The Honourable George Busbee, spokesmen on civil and Governor of the State of Georgia .. human rights Oppression of any people The Honourable Maynard H. anywhere is the oppression of Jackson, Mayor of the City of At- all people everywhere lanta ...... 2 The issue to him was H. E. Dr. Kurt Waldheim, Secre­ freedom-not token freedom, tary-General of the United Nations 4 but total freedom His ideas have lived on and H. E. Mr. Olla Ullsten, Prime. inspired millions of people Minister of Sweden ...... 8 Martin Luther King, Jr: A vi­ H. E. Mr. Knut Frydenlund, sion of justice and human Minister for Foreign Affairs of equality Norway ...... 13 He roused the hopes of the H. E. Mr. Felix Pita Astudillo, broad masses of North Amer­ Deputy Permanent Representative ican blacks of Cuba to the United Nations ... 14 A brilliant and dynamic apos­ H. E. Mr. Alex Quaison-Sackey, tle of peace Ambassador .of Ghana to the United States ...... 15 He is alive and real in the H. E. Mr. Rikhi Jaipal, Permanent hearts and minds of his people Representative of India to the United Nations and Special Repre­ sentative of the Prime Minister of India ...... 18 A crusader and a pioneer of H. E. Mr. 0 Jolaoso, Ambassador sorts of Nigeria to the United States ... 19 He will continue to inspire us H. E. Mr. Abdirizak Haji Hussen, all Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations ... 21 He envisaged a world free of Mr. Mohamed Osman, Representa- racial injustice, poverty and tive of Sudan ...... 21 war An in,piring example to the H. E. Mr. Paul Bomani, Ambassa­ liberation struggle the world dor of the United Republic of Tan­ over zania to the United States and Per­ sonal Representative of the Head of State ...... 23 A champion for equality and Mr. Mohamed Tayyab Siddiqui, human dignity Representative of Pakistan 25 A luminous example for the Dr. Francis Norman, Representa- human family tive of the Holy See ...... 26 A source of inspiration H. E. Dr. Ahmed Esmat Abdel Meguid Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations and Chairman of the African Group for the month of January 1979 ...... 27 He struggled for the freedom H. E. Mr. Isao Abe, Permanent and dignity of all peoples Representative of Japan to the United Nations and Chairman of the Asian Group for the month of January 1979 ...... • • • • 28 He unmasked the inseparable H. E. Vladimir N. Martynenko, link that racism and coloni­ Permanent Representative of the alism have with aggressive Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Repub­ wars lic to the United Nations and Chairman of the East European Group for the month of January 1979 ...... · · · · · 32 He belonged to all people H. E. Mr. George A. Griffith, Per­ everywhere manent Representative of Grenada to the United Nations and Chair­ man of the Latin American Group for the month of January 1979 34 He cared for every human H. E. Mr. Hugo Scheltema, Per­ being in need of justice, peace manent Representative of the and social progress Netherlands to the United Nations and Chairman of the Group of Western European and other States for the month of January 1979 .... 36 Martin Luther King, Jr. and H. E. Mr. Andrew Young, Perma­ the tradition of non-violence nent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations ...... 37 An uncompromising defender H. E. Mr. Yury E. Fokine, Deputy of equal rights and universal Permanent Representative of the peace Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to the United Nations ...... 38 He lives in the struggles of Mr. Romesh Chandra, President of every people for peace the World Peace Council ...... 40 His concern for humanity Miss Herschell Challenor, Repre­ recognized no boundaries sentative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cul­ tural Organization (UNESCO) in Washington ...... 43 A source of inspiration and Mr. Charles H. Weitz, Representa­ courage tive of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 45 He fought for the liberation of Reverend L. John Collins, Pres­ the oppressed all over the ident of the International Defence world and Aid Fund for Southern Africa 46 Martin Luther King Jr.' s sig­ Reverend Gabriel Seteloane, Rep­ nificance today resentative of the African National Congress of South Africa ...... 48 One of the most courageous Dr. Erett Radebe, Representative freedom fighters of our times of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania ...... 51 A pioneer in the struggle H. E. Mr. Leslie 0. Harriman against apartheid (Nigeria) Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid .... 53 Let us make his dream a Mrs. Coretta Scott King, President reality of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Centre for Social Change ...... 56 MESSAGES RECEIVED BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE

~k,,;1gl· from II. E. :\tr. J. R. Jaycwan.knc, l'rc,idcnt of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka 56 ~k...-.agc from 11. E. Mr. Pham Van Dong, !'rime :\tini-.tcr of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam ...... 57 ~k...-.;1gc from Mr. Francis Blanchard, Dircctor-Cicncral of the International Labour Organisation . . 57 ~k...-.agc from Mr. Yves Lambert, Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organi- 1ation ...... • • • • • • · · · · · 57 ~k,,agc from the British Anti-Ar)(Jrthcid Movement ...... • • 58 :\k-....agc from Mr. Otto Kersten, Secretary-General of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions ...... • • • • · 58 :\fcssage from the Secretariat of the Women's International Demo- cratic Federation ...... • • • • · · · 58 Message from Mr. Jan Kulakowski, General-Secretary of the World Confederation of Labour • • • • 90

List of Participants ...... 60 ONE OF THE WORLD'S FOREMOST SPOKESMEN ON CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Statement by the Honourable George Busbee, Governor of the State of Georgia

It is appropriate that this Special Committee against Apartheid meets in Atlanta, home of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the world's foremost spokesmen on civil and human rights. An essential aspect of Dr. King's struggles for human rights was its non-violence. Dr. King denounced using violent methods to further human rights, because he realized that it was a contradiction to destroy one group for the benefit of another group. Your Committee should take this important fact into account as you review the human rights struggles around the world. The most successful and beneficial change cannot come through guns and violence but through negotiation. We must insure that the gaining of rights by one group does not destroy the rights of another group because then the job of ending injustice is not furthered, but belittled. As terrorism continues to instill fear in the hearts of all men, your Committee should make it a basic goal to work toward ending this method of social change. Dr. King's life was a testimony to this precept. Dr. King was a supporter of human rights, being one of the first respon­ dents to your Committee's founding in 1963. Rev. King abhorred apar­ t he id and racial inequality in any form, likening the American civil rights struggle of blacks to other such struggles in South Africa, Asia and Latin America. He wrote in 1958:

The determination of Negro Americans to win freedom from all forms of oppression springs from the same deep longing that motivates op­ pressed peoples all over the world ... so in a real sense, the racial crisis in America is a part of the larger world crisis.

Only when apartheid and racial iqjustice are eliminated will we as people be able to fully guarantee human rights for all. This Special Committee against Apartheid deals with very serious questions of basic human rights, not only in southern Africa but in other countries as well. Your job is not an easy one, but one that has to be done. The Martin Luther King Center for Social Change has adopted a comprehensive human rights agenda. Basic human rights is something I hope can be achieved in our lifetimes. I But it will takc c:on-.idcrahk cffort on the part of many people, and as Dr. King .... aid in 1%5, .. It is not hlac:k people struggling against white people, it i" j11 .... tic:c ....iruµglinµ against injustic.:e." Every rnan. wornan and child has a right to expect freedom of expres­ "inn. c:11lt urc and pur-.uit of education, food and basic necessities. But un- 1c.: ...... thi" Spec:ial Committee against A1i11rtheitl. the King Center and other" c:onc:crned with human rights continue to press for the basic rights of all. thc peopks of some countries can only expect terror, hunger, illit­ eracy. and disease. The State of Georgia is honoured to host a group such as yours, and as Ciovernor of this State, I want to personally thank you for coming to our State anti wish you success in the days ahead.

OPPRESSION OF ANY PEOPLE ANYWHERE IS THE OPPRESSION OF ALL PEOPLE EVERYWHERE

Statement by the Honourable Maynard H. Jackson, Mayor of the City of Atlanta

We are delighted to welcome to Atlanta what clearly has to be one of the most distinguished gatherings in the history of our city. Distinguished not only by its composition, but also by the subject matter of its concern. I come today as Mayor of Atlanta, the capital city of Georgia; I come also as an Afro-American. And I come to applaud on behalf of myself and the people I represent, and on behalf of my father, who is dead, and my grandfather who is dead, the work, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Secretary­ General, of this United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid. A personal reference is necessary on this occasion for me to assure you that you have come to a place that is prepared for you and ready for you. The first time I heard any public speaker refer to my people in this country as black, was when my grandfather, John Wesidaubs, in 1950 when I was in the ninth grade, spoke to the David E. Howard High School. In the course of our evolution in America, we have been called many things; we have called ourselves many things. And there was a time, of which we are not necessarily proud, when in the course of our evolution for an Afro­ American to call another Afro-American black would have precipitated a great deal of hot debate. So when we came through the period of being 2 coloured people to being Negroes to being black, and all the time, of course, we understand that we are Americans of African descent. In a na­ tion comprised of ethnic groups, our ethnic group is African-American. The relevance of that I hope to this meeting is that in this nation there are approximately thirty million Americans of African descent, 99 per cent of whom I would guess know very little about our original national, racial and ethnic ties; but a heck of a lot more than we used to know. But there is something which thumps in the heart of every American of African descent regardless of how much specific knowledge that person may have. When there is an abuse of Africans by white racists in South Africa, in Rhodesia, in southern Africa generally, that reaction which springs forth as a concentrated objection is founded on the instinctional knowledge of the oppression of any people anywhere is the oppression of all people everywhere. Apartheid is an abomination. It must not be allowed to continue. It must be eliminated; changed not temporarily but permanently. And achieving that must be by whatever means are necessary within the scope, we hope, of the law; within the scope of the national and interna­ tional conscience; within the scope of an ethical code. But ultimately, apartheid must be stricken from the face of this earth, and from the awareness of those who carry its hydro-headed evil from day to day. The City of Atlanta welcomes this Committee, Mr. Secretary-General and Mr. Chairman, particularly because we are a city which is about 55 per cent Afro-American. More important we are a city in a nation which has a growing consciousness about the necessity to correct this evil, and because we live in a nation which is in the process of evolving from a sys­ tem of slavery and racial injustice into a system of equality. Our evolu­ tionary process has not been perfected yet but the commitment on the part of many, many Americans cannot be questioned. It is my job as a Mayor of a City, it is the job of Governors and Heads of State, Heads of their States, of our Congress and of our President, to make sure that as we protest injustice in other places we have, in fact, cleaned our own house. I am confident that we can do that and that we shall do that. Today is an important day in our City's annual calendar-the City Council meets. When that City Council meets there will be nine Afro­ American members, nine white members and the President of the Council is Afro-American. It is a fair reflection of the racial composition of our city. More important than that, it is a Council which knows the necessity of co-operation and does so. We are a city which is the locus of a growing number of consulates all of which we welcome enthusiastically. We are a State which is growing in national importance. The city of Atlanta owns and operates its own airport which is the second busiest airport in the 3 '' 111 Id. It i, ,ccoml only to< r I Lire ;u1d ( r l Ltrc i ... presently closed. Even if ,,c ;tll,m f,11 gornl ,,cathcr. it i, our guc,.., that by 1985 we will pass <>'IL11c. You ;ire ;1hk to llr directly from here to the Caribbean, to \lc,i..:,1. to I .011do11. to Brn ...... cl,. We ;1n.: looking forward to a flight which \\ ill gu Ill I .;1gu, 1111 X \brch. unc uf um ,i,ter citie,. Also on our agenda '' ill he to ,,.:ck nwrc direct ;1ir route.., between Africa and Atlanta. We are ;1 ..:it) \\ hi,.:h i, attractivl· tu many international banking concerns and 111;11111bct11rcr, and the intcrnatiunal co11111111nity generally. We are very p1011d of 011r ,on Andrew J;11.:k,on Yo11ng. United State, Permanent Rep­ rc,cntati,·c to the United Nation.,: our Ambassador. our former Con­ )!l'C.....,man. one uf our leader, who comes 0111 or the King movement, amu11g other,. and who ha, used his skills in such a way that we now be­ licn.: :\mcrica i, ,landing in a much better posture. \1r. Sccrctary-Cicncral. l\lr. Chairman. I am going to have to leave also. I make my Stale uf the City speech al two o'clock today and the typists arc wailing for it. II is with me at this time. But we arc so proud that you have cho,cn lo convene at Atlanta. We support enthusiastically your agenda nut only by the words we say here today, which represent this entire City. but also by resolution of the City Council at my urging and al"o my signing. by proclamation, by me as Mayor and by every con­ certed effort that we can make to make sure that we can find a way to re­ lieve our brothers and sisters in South Africa, of apartheid. Atlanta welcomes you enthusiastically: Know that our hearts are with you: the City enthusiastically receives you: our minds are with you: our philosophies arc with you, and we encourage you in the course of your courage to help this nation and this world to find a way.

THE ISSUE TO HIM WAS FREEDOM­ NOT TOKEN FREEDOM, BUT TOTAL FREEDOM

Statement by H. E. Dr. Kurt Waldheim, Secretary-General of the United Nations

It is an honour for me to take part in this unprecedented international tribute to the memory of a gallant human being and one of the truly great citizens of the world, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was one of those ex­ traordinary personalities who embodied the vision and will to achieve a 4 global order in which all people can walk in peace and dignity. The mea­ sure of his life is that his name today is synonymous with freedom, not only to the people of his own country, but to countless millions the world over. That is why we have gathered today in the city he called home. It was from here that time and again he would set out on his mission to invoke reason over force; and it was here that he returned to gather new strength for the quest he conducted in the cause of us all. It is a quest that now in­ spires the work of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change, which has arranged this imaginative tribute and which richly merits the support of everyone who shares the dream Martin Luther King, Jr. did not live to see fulfilled. His dream marked a beginning, not an end. In essence it was a simple dream-the dream of a man who believed with all his heart in the unity­ and goodness-of the human family. The faith and passion with which he voiced his belief healed the wounded, gave courage to the oppressed and taught us that the struggle to strengthen and advance human rights must go on until it is won everywhere. '"The issue", as Dr. King said, "is not whether segregation and discrimination will be eliminated, but holl' they will pass from the scene." The issue to him was freedom-not token freedom, but total freedom. For he clearly saw, A piece of freedom is no longer enough for human beings ... unlike bread, a slice of liberty does not finish hunger. Freedom is like life, it cannot be had in instalments. Freedom is indivisible-we have it all, or we are not free.

Had he Jived, therefore, we can be certain he would have been in the forefront of the international effort to help remove the ominous threat of conflict that hangs like an oppressive cloud over the African continent. His overriding belief in world community coincided with the steadfast po­ sition taken by the United Nations which rejects the illegal practice of apartheid in South Africa and holds it to be a grave danger to international peace and security. Together with everyone here, it is my fervent hope that Dr. King's voice of reason, sanity and understanding will yet be heard wherever any person's rights are jeopardized. Death stilled that voice much too soon, and the tragedy for all of us is that we were deprived, not only of its eloquence, but of the compassion and inspiration of the brilliant mind for which it spoke. It provides unhappy evidence-if any is really needed-of the great loss civilization suffers because of hatred and the violence it spawns. What is so ironic, too, is that the very violence of Dr. King's death was the antithesis of everything for which he stood and nurtured­ and loved-in life. 5 I k Im L'd humanit y-regardles, of race. colour or ereed. I think the ,pi1 it \If thi, hi\ e wa, captured in words recently spoken hy the distin­ _1!111,hed l 1nited St;1te, Repre,entative. Andrew .I. Young. who was so d11,ely ;1...,\lciared with Dr. King and who now plays such a vital role al the l 'nited Nation,. lie ,aid:

I W\lllld ,ay that we can look hack and give thanks: give thanks that in the few ,hort year, when he lived among us. taught us that all men could he jud!,!ed by the content of their character rather than the col­ our of their ,kin. I le reminded us that we were a part of a gigantic symphony of brotherhood that could not be played on white keys or black keys alone hut in the full chromatic harmony of humankind, Yllllll!,! and old. male and female. hlack. white. red. yellow and brown.

In breaking down the walls between us. he called on us to meet what he always felt were the three great moral challenges confronting twentieth century civilization-poverty. war and racism. He understood better than most. perhaps. that racism was the most subtle and the least visible of the three. He wrote:

Racism is no mere American phenomenon. Its vicious grasp knows no geographical boundaries. If fact, racism and its perennial ally­ economic exploitation-provide the key to understanding most of the international complications of this generation.

It was sensitive insight such as this that helped Dr. King break new ground as a leader of the American people. It also made him a symbol of hope to non-Americans, who intuitively felt and understood the nobility of spirit, the personal courage and the love that radiated from the life of this man. American and non-American alike could feel the strength of a courage and the depth of a concern that was not for himself alone, not for his people alone, not for his nation alone. It was for all the suffering people in the ghettoes and slums of the world, for all who are hungry, all who are poor, all who suffer because of racism, all who are deprived of their basic human and civil rights. The United Nations has recognized that overcoming racism is a prereq­ uisite for solving the related problems of world peace and world poverty. President Carter made it eminently clear that he understood this fact also when he visited the United Nations a little more than a year ago to sign the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It was an action con­ sistent with Dr. King's own priorities as well as with the long-standing de- 6 votion which the United States has shown for over three decades in giving support not only to the principles and objectives of the United Nations, but also to the vision of human rights for everyone everywhere in the world. In honouring Dr. King's memory today, therefore, I would like to ex­ press the hope that all countries that still have not signed and ratified these two Covenants do so at the earliest possible opportunity. It is a hope I would express too, for all the other human rights instruments that have evolved under the auspices of the United Nations. Together with the Uni­ versal Declaration of Human Rights, they provide the world community with important tools for the achievement of one of the main objectives of the United Nations Charter-the promotion and protection of human rights. Our goal here must be to develop a common consciousness in the international community and thereby encourage the widest possible im­ provement in respect for individual dignity and fundamental freedoms, which, in essence, also was the ultimate goal of Martin Luther King, Jr. In resolving our human rights problems-as indeed with all other press­ ing problems confronting us in the United Nations-there is clear evi­ dence that global organization and global order, however imperfect or sometimes ineffective they may at present be, are an increasingly indis­ pensable necessity. The fact that the world is becoming at the same time more nationally diverse and more interdependent, that power, in the old sense of the word, is more fragmented and that violence is ever more per­ vasive and dangerous, affords both the strongest argument for world order and the reason why it is so difficult to achieve. It is precisely be­ cause we live in a world of nation-States, jealous of their sovereignty and often fearful of their neighbours, a world of regional conflicts, deepening poverty, economic dislocation, exploding populations and deteriorating environments, a world overshadowed by the existence of weapons of mass destruction, that the development of a strong and effective United Nations system is a vital imperative. It was Dr. King's conviction that in such a perilous, shrunken, interde­ pendent world we have no choice but to find non-violent solutions to our problems. With all our differences and all our divisions, we must learn to live together in a peaceful world community of equals, as he told us when he said, We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now ... We still have a choice today: non-violent co-existence or violent co-annihilation. This may well be mankind's last chance to choose between chaos and commu­ nity. In making that choice, we cannot afford despair or cynicism, tempting 7 though ,uch alliltllh~, mar ,ornclimcs be. In keeping with Dr. King's shin­ ing foith \\'C can. and m11,1. rather. develop a sense of human solidarity, li1Hli11g praclil-al L'\prc:,,ion in a ~trong family of international institutions, if nm major intcrn;1tional problems arc to he contained and ultimately ,o!Ycd. It i, the only way we will succeed in creating the kind of world Dr. Kin!! darcll dream about-a world more secure and more responsive lu the nccll, and a,pirations of all its people-a world of freedom at peace ,vith it,clf. Today. on what would have been his fiftieth hirthday, the hope he kin­ dled in 1111! dark is the enduring gift he has given to us.

111S IDEAS HA VE LIVED ON AND INSPIRED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE

Statement by H. E. Mr. Olla Ullsten, Prime Minister of Sweden

It is a great honour for me to have been invited to speak on the memory of the great Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was indeed a citizen of whom his country is and can be proud. He was also a truly great citizen in the community of men. The fact that we have come here from all parts of the world to pay tribute to his memory testifies to the strength of Dr. King"s message and to the universality of his ideas. We all share those ideas and we all admire the courage with which he fought for them. Much has changed in the United States, and particularly in the South, since Martin Luther King, Jr. started his long, persistent and cumbersome struggle against racial discrimination in his own country. It is evident that the people of the United States, and perhaps particularly the good people of Atlanta, have worked hard in dealing with the problems of racial preju­ dice and discrimination. Much progress has been made; however, none of us is likely to harbour any illusions that prejudice has disappeared; nor have all the social and economic injustices that spring from racial discrim­ ination been eliminated. The road to racial harmony is long and arduous, here as elsewhere. A prerequisite for progress is that the problems are openly recognized and dealt with. It is encouraging that the American people is setting an example in this respect. 8 The change in attitude towards human rights in the United States is not limited to the domestic scene. We welcome the renewed emphasis on human rights in international affairs. The commitment to human rights in the policies of the former Governor of this great State of Georgia, now the President of the United States, has inspired hope among oppressed people all over the world. Problems of racial discrimination and prejudice are unique to no coun­ try. Thus all political leaders have a clear responsibility to fight discrimi­ nation and to promote social justice. We must never become fellow­ travellers of intolerant public opinions. We must always do our utmost to reassert the need for solidarity. Our rights as citizens and human beings are at stake here. The protec­ tion of these rights will require a struggle that has to be fought on all fronts: by each individual with his own conscience, by the members of or­ ganizations like many of those represented here today, and by the Gov­ ernments of the world both as national entities and as Members of the United Nations. Human rights must include freedom from all forms of oppression and the right for each one of us to develop his or her personal potentials under the most favorable conditions possible. We are still very far from that goal. In many countries totalitarian regimes systematically deny their citi­ zens the right to live their own lives or to influence their own societies. A large majority of the world's population is denied a reasonable standard of living, education and health care. It is the duty of the more prosperous na­ tions to make all efforts possible to alleviate the plight of the millions of poor and destitute people and thereby enable them to enjoy the material privileges that we tend to take for granted ourselves. Racial discrimination is a particularly grave violation of human rights. There is one country where racial discrimination is not only openly toler­ ated, but where it is encouraged and sanctioned in the constitution itself; that country is South Africa. The system of apartheid dooms human beings, just because of the col­ our of their skin, to life-long degradation and humiliation. Apartheid is not only a disease in the South African society, it is a disgrace and an affront to all mankind. Apartheid is a threat to South Africa itself. It is also a grave threat to the whole region of southern Africa. A system based on such injustice and inequality holds within itself the forces of its own de­ struction. By using all the sinister instruments of apartheid, the white minority has so far managed to keep these forces in check. Taking a longer view it will be impossible for the regime to withstand the pressure from the black majority of 25 million citizens and their demands for freedom. Attempts to

9 1.·11n1wl I heir a1.·1.·11m11la1ed anger. fruslralion anti despair will inevitably be h111k. :\ ,y,1em a, unju,1 and evil as a11,11·tlte'icl can only decay, die or l.'\plolk. The minority regime has so far shown no inclination to let the ,y,11.·111 di!.·. Unlc,, lhe cotl!'se is changed-and changed soon and 1lr;1,1kally-lh1.· e.,ph>,ion i., hound 10 come. Event-. in ,0111hern Africa during lhe pasl few years have made world opinion e\'en more aware of lhe dangers of opurt/Jl'id. As a consequence llf South :\frka's efforls to maintain this system at all costs international pre.,.,11re again,t 1111urt/Jl'icl has mounted. The United Nations Special Committee against 1\11,11·1/,l'ic/ has played a prominent role in these efforts to 11nma,k ,111111·1!,l'icl. to reveal its true character and to mobilize world opinion again,t this inhuman system. ,\11w·1/Jl'icl must be eradicated. The history of liberation in South Africa, as well as in Namibia and Rhodesia. is being written with our generation acting both as witnesses and participants. It is being shaped by the aspirations of peoples who long for their freedom and for the right to decide their own destiny. It is a his­ tory of hope. based on the unswerving belief in human dignity and equal­ ity. The history of southern Africa has also been one of lost opportunities; opportunities which should have been used to develop societies in which people of different colour, creed and culture can live and work together for common goals. The reasons for failure are only too obvious: the few who have clung to their power and privileges at the expense of the many have resorted to short-sighted solutions for fear of having to change their way of life. The leaders of South Af-· ·q have never learned the lesson of history. In the long-term interest of Ure ~outh African people, and of the rest of the world they could have promoted a peaceful change towards democracy and justice. Instead, they have chosen the road of fear and tyranny and provoked violence. The price to be paid by their people may be enor­ mous. The recourse to armed struggle has been provoked by those who have consistently refused to yield to justified demands for peaceful change. This has brought untold human suffering to the peoples of southern Africa in the course of decolonization. The white minorities cannot escape their heavy responsibility for this tragedy. Nor can we in the outside world es­ cape our responsibility. We are always under the obligation to use all peaceful means available to fight the evils of apartheid. Namibia is a case in point. The United Nations has the exclusive and direct legal responsibility for this territory. It has, in various resolutions, laid down the principles which should govern the political process leading to an independent Namibia. South Africa has persistently refused to com­ ply with these resolutions. The illegal South African occupation of Namibia has continued. So has

10 the repression of the Namibian people and the violation of their human rights. South Africa's various efforts to sabotage or, at best, to delay the United Nations plan for Namibia's independence testify to their fear of the verdict of the Namibian people in free and fair elections under the supervision and control of the United Nations. In view of South Africa's previous behaviour we have reason to suspect that the leaders in Pretoria will continue to make all kinds of difficulties to impede the process. Such procrastination can no longer be tolerated. If South Africa is not prepared to accept the United Nations plan, then the world community must be prepared to take proper action. The five Western Powers have a special responsibility. My country has supported their strenuous efforts during the past months to reach a negotiated settlement. They must now show South Africa that increased pressure, including sanctions decided by the Security Council, is the logical answer to any further dilatory ac­ tion on its part. The Security Council took an important step when it passed its resolu­ tion on a mandatory arms embargo. This resolution will also have a bear­ ing on the situation in Namibia in view of the heavy South African build­ up there .. But this is not enough. Measures taken to stop further foreign investments in, and financial loans to South Africa will also increase the pressure upon South Africa to abandon its present stand on Namibia. Thus we hope that other countries, and particularly the five Western Powers, will be prepared to support the Nordic draft resolution proposing mandatory sanctions in this field. My Government has announced today that a bill will be presented to the Parliament by which Sweden would unilaterally enact legislation to pre­ vent further investments in, and capital export to South Africa. However, with regard to South Africa itself we must continue to ask ourselves what we can do to influence events there. We must continue to hope that peace­ ful change can be brought about, however gloomy the prospects may seem at the moment. Our struggle against apartheid will not be easily won. But I am not being unduly optimistic when I say that we are all convinced that time is on the side of those who know that they are fighting for a just cause. As outsiders we would do well to ask ourselves what we can do to help make this transition as peaceful and smooth as possible. We must work for a democratic new South Africa where all people can live and work together in unity and trust. The creation of such a society calls for preparations in many fields, par­ ticularly in education and vocational training. We should also make avail­ able resources for research and studies on South African society and on the role of South Africa in the regional and global context. Such studies could also include methods and means for preparing and engaging the

11 S11111h .-\ft ,,an p11p11latio11 in till· pr11cc-,-, 11f tr:111-,ition tn majority rule. \\·c ,twuhl 11111 l\1-,c any tilll\.' in tali.in!,! up thi-. ta-,k. All men and women, 111'1\k ;rnd 1111t-.i1k S1111th .-\frka. arc in\·it1..·d to dc\oll..' themselves to these piuhll·m,. Tt1 111;1ny. lhi-, ilka t1f a new South Africa might still sound like a d,l·am. H111 th\.· hi,1t1rr or dccoloni ✓ ation ha-, proved to millions of fll't1pk· ;di ll\l'I' lhl· w11rld 1ha1 fr1..•e1h1m wa, more than a dream. How re- 11\llle m11-.1 1101 lhl· drc;1111 11f indepl·mkrH.:e ha\'c ,ccmcd to the peoples of .-\fi i1..·;1 d111in!! lhe day, offl1reip1 domination. And only ten years ago, how di,1;1111 n\ll'-1 IHll the day of :-.elf-determina1ion ha\'e appeared to the pc11pk, 11f :\11µ11h1. (iuinea-Bi,,au and Mo1a111hiq11c when they were ,tnt!,!)!lin!! lo free lhem,clves from,'\()() year, of colonial rule. How difficult 11111,1 ii rwl have been for them to believe thal one dav they would be able lo decide their own fu1ure. Sometime,. when the obstacles seemed unsurmountahle, also Martin Luther Kin!!, Jr. mu:-.1 have found it difficult to believe in a better tomor­ row. Bui believe he did. He knew that as much as his dreams were his :-.twnge:-.t :source of inspiration. his lirm belief in the possibility of change could one day make change occur. He knew that his dedication for the cause that he had set for himself and his people was a noble one and th~t his persistent work for that purpose would not have been in vain. And it was not. Many of his hopes and dreams are realities today. He was him­ self a victim of the slruggle. But his ideas have lived on and inspired mil­ lions of people. Thal inspiration is today a powerful force particularly among the oppressed people on a continent where the black men and women of this country have their roots and origin. They are also a real source of inspiration to many of us in other countries who wish to work for free, just and stable societies all over the world. We hope and pray that the white minority of South Africa will also fi­ nally understand the message of love that Martin Luther King, Jr. so des­ perately tried to make his compatriots understand and accept. We hope and pray that it is not yet too late to get rid of the fear, hate and violence that apartheid breeds, that there is still time to heal the wounds of distrust and dissension, inflicted to divide and rule the people of South Africa. We hope and pray that one day all the children of South Africa will be part of a nation where people are judged by what they are, and where they will be able to sit down together as brothers, join hands in freedom and sing "Free at last. Free at last. Great God Almighty we are free at last"•

12 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: A VISION OF JUSTICE AND HUMAN EQUALITY

Statement by H. E. Mr. Knut Frydenlund Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway

It is important for me to tell you, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, how much our short stay here in Atlanta-as guests of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change, has affected your visitors from other countries. We have met here to pay homage to a man who had both a vision and the strategy and strength to do something about it-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The vision was justice and human equality-the methods were brotherhood, non-violence and trust in common people. As Andy Young told us in the Ebenezer Church yesterday-and as we have seen for ourselves-this strategy has brought about impressive results in a rela­ tively short time. This experience has lifted our spirits and given us hope. But I have also recently had another experience which was a rather dis­ couraging one, and where this strategy of brotherhood, non-violence and mutual trust had not worked. What I have in mind is a recent trip to three of the front-line States in southern Africa, where I had talks with the lead­ ers of these countries and of the liberation movements in the region. These leaders who have invested so much of their prestige, energy and re­ sources in their efforts to achieve independence for Namibia and majority rule in Rhodesia and the liberation of South Africa now see no alternative to an escalation of armed struggle. The tragedy of the situation is best illustrated by the dilemma facing President Kaunda of Zambia-last year's recipient of Martin Luther King, Jr. non-violent peace prize. This great humanist and true believer in the living together of all races, now seemed himself to have lost faith in the possibilities of a peaceful solution, and he spoke about a possible holocaust for the whole region. All these leaders know the costs of a violent solution to the racial prob­ lems of southern Africa. Immense human suffering-material destruction-possible civil wars-most probably big Power involvement. Nevertheless, they see a resort to armed struggle as the only alternative open to them. We cannot blame them. We cannot ask them to be patient, for patient they have been for de­ cades. I quote here from the Birmingham Manifesto of 1963. "The patience of an oppressed people cannot endure forever". We cannot recommend to them the strategy of non-violence, because that has been applied since the days of Albert Luthuli. 13 What we can do, however, and in fact must do, is to ask what we our­ selves can contribute to bringing about a negotiated settlement. This is a most essential question for us to deal with. Because the prospects for achieving negotiated settlements is closely linked with the attitude taken hy the outside world to the white minority regimes in southern Africa. What we have heard during these days here in Atlanta, has in this re­ spect heen encouraging, because it makes us feel that we can be able to work together to promote the necessary changes in the attitude of whites in southern Africa. In this connexion, I would like to refer to the six point proposals put forward by the Norwegian Prime Minister in his address to the World Conference for Action against Apartheid, held in Lagos, as part ofajoint international policy of non-armed pressure against South Africa, based on the premise that the apartheid policy of South Africa remain the principle obstacle to peaceful solutions in southern Africa. Whether this necessary change of attitudes result from sanctions or from dialogue, or from a com­ bination of both, is not decisive. What is important here is that results are forthcoming without further delay. Time is running out for a peaceful solution. But no stone must be left un­ turned. The alternative might be the holocaust that President Kaunda feared would come. We would then all share the responsibility. It will be a difficult journey. We will have to march together, but our visit here in Atlanta will help to guide our feet.

HE ROUSED THE HOPES OF THE BROAD MASSES OF NORTH AMERICAN BLACKS

Statement by H. E. Mr. Felix Pita Astudillo, Deputy Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations*

On the occasion of commemorating the fiftieth birthday of the promi­ nent leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. we wish to convey our warm remem­ brances to his relatives and followers. With his clear condemnation, his

*Mr. Pita Astudillo read out a message from H. E. Mr. Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Council of State and of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba. 14 untiring action and his telling message, Martin Luther King, Jr. roused the hopes of the broad masses of North American blacks subjected to ruthless discrimination of a racial nature and relegated to the lowest social strata. He constantly claimed the legitimate rights and together with them moved the conscience of many of his compatriots, black and white. The retrogressive forces in the United States, which feared the example of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the dissemination of his struggle conspired against him and brought about his assassination. The Cuban people which eliminated forever discrimination of any kind is aware that those same forces are responsible for the assassination of Lumumba and were present in the genocide of the Vietnamese people. Those same forces sent troops to invade Santo Domingo; organized the abortive invasion of Cuba, and those same forces ordered other assassina­ tions and crimes inside and outside the territory of North America. The memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. 's struggle is in all our hearts. There­ fore, we join millions of North Americans in saluting the memory of such a distinguished leader.

A BRILLIANT AND DYNAMIC APOSTLE OF PEACE

Statement by H. E. Mr. Alex Quaison-Sackey, Ambassador of Ghana to the United States

The Head of State and Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Ghana, His Excellency Lieutenant-General F. W.K. Akuffo, has desig­ nated me to represent him on this significant occasion and to address this august assembly of distinguished personalities on his behalf, because he is unable, for pressing reasons of State, to honour in person the kind invita­ tion extended to him by the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid. Hardly can a more fitting, more meaningful honour be bestowed on the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the 50th anniversary of his birth than that both the Center which carries forth his life's great purpose, and the Special Committee, which strives to implement the same ideals at the level of the international community, shouldjoin hands in this historic act of commemoration. My country is proud to be so closely associated with the homage being paid to this great man. 15 \\\.· in (ihan;1 n:memher the lfr\'crend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with d1.: 1.:p ;dl1.:ction \\ hich date" hack to the proclamation of our national inde­ p1.:ndcnc1..· "here he wa" prc ... cnt a, a ,pccial guest of my Government. On th;1t hi,t1. 1 ric 1.11.:c;1 ... ion. my people had the rare opportunity of admiring the y111111f!, brilliant and dynamic apo,tlc of peace whose message here in .-\mcric;, 1..-chocd 011r own eternal commitment to the struggle for inde­ pc111.knce. frcednm and ju,ticc everywhere on our great continent of Af­ ric;1 ;1nd beynnd. In hi, prc-.enc1..·. we launched our nationhood in the con­ \ ictinn th;1t n11r nwn independence would not be fully meaningful until the 1..·nti1c cnntinent wa-., free or foreign domination. In fact according to his own narr;1tive published after his return to the United States, he was filled "ith cmotinn mingkd with pride and inspiration as he witnessed the flag nf (ihan;, with the Black Star being hoisted and the Union Jack of the l 1nited Kingd(1111 being lowered. Fr1.1m the very outset. the young nation of Ghana regarded the Rever­ end Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. as a true friend and comrade-in-arms. His untimely passing has caused Ghanaians great pain and sorrow. But it is not on account of such affinity and attachment alone that we are proud to participate in this international tribute to the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. It is also because our contacts with him equally revealed his innate international dimension and humanism as a living symbol of the principles. aims, and purposes of the United Nations which, by common consent, reoresents the last hope for mankind. I, myself, had the privilege of knowing him in person. In fact, before he left for Oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, the late Secretary-General, U Thant and I, as President of the I 9th session of the General Assembly, had lunch with him and Mrs. Coretta King. I never saw him again. He was a leader in the true sense of the word and, besides, was endowed with vast powers, a versatile mind, a brilliant intellect, a tremendous eloquence of speech, a fearless spirit and a confounding humility. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached peace because he lived a life of love; he led multitudes in a relentless struggle for freedom, justice and equality because he walked in the way of peace; he fought for the progress of all especially for the emancipation of the under-trodden, the under-privileged, the oppressed, because he believed in the goodness of man in the capacity of the human race to transcend and survive its senseless penchant towards self-annihilation. He had a dream for human­ ity, a dream in which love replaced hate. And love is the legacy he has be­ queathed to the world. This wonderful man was much abused but he remained undeterred to the end. His weapon was "non-violence" which he erected into a monumental movement which has achieved resounding successes at home and a justly deserved respect abroad. "Non-violence" with which 16 he repaid all the violence perpetrated against his noble ideals and his lov­ ing person. A tragic consummation crowned him with the triumph of mar­ tyrdom. It was an accurate measure of the profound influence he exerted on the conscience of the world during his own life-time that, despite all the hate and opposition, the world offered him the largest possible fund of acclaim in the form of hundreds of awards including the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize which was conferred on him at the tender age of 35. Yet, as we pay tribute to this great man of peace, the international community seems reluctant to break with that terrible "crime against hu­ manity" which bears the name "apartheid", a term which sums up the devil's major works on earth. The involvement of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid in the sponsorship of this homage should remind the perpetrators and friends of that evil system of their guilt and of the judgment that awaits them; it also underscores the burning urgency with which all peoples and all leaderships must welcome their historic obligation to effect an immediate change in the situation in South Africa and southern Africa and to promote the cause of peace, equality and freedom everywhere. Mr. Chairman, I venture to suggest that apartheid is more an economic than merely a social system. The Special Committee itself may have to revise and re-examine its procedures and operations in order to find the most effective means of bringing home to the developed countries that their vast investments in apartheid South Africa give succour to the Pre­ toria regime. These countries should withdraw their investments or re­ view their investment policies in a real and practical effort to bring the apartheid regime to its knees. Here, then, is an opportunity for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the noble ideals for which the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spent and sacrificed his life. All men and women of good-will must carry on the struggle which he fought so heroically. That will be the best use the world will make of his legacy of love; that will be the real tribute we can pay to redeem the debt of love which we owe him in return.

17 IIE IS ALIVE AND REAL IN THE IIEARTS AND J\11NDS OF HIS PEOPLE

Statement by II. E. Mr. Rikhi Jaipal, l>c.:nnanent lfrpre,entative of India to the United Nations and Special l{epre,entative or the Prime Minister of India*

I I wa, ,urcly a stroke or genius to hold a special session of our Commit­ tee in Atlanta to commemorate the 50th birth anniversary of Martin I .11ther King. Jr. The United States of America by inviting us to have our meeting here has joined us in re-affirming that racial discrimination any­ where in the world is of legitimate concern to the international community a, a whole. For me. personally. this has been a pilgrimage to a familiar temple of peace. I am conscious of a feeling of both pride and humility. I had to come here to feel the hare anatomy of the long agony of the black people. I had to come here to see that this is no valley of tears and no wasteland of doubting hearts. I had to come here to realize that no legend can cloud the freshness of the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. I had to come here to discover that Martin Luther King, Jr., is alive and real in the hearts and minds of his people-as real as perhaps few great men in history had been real. In every age there is a dream that is dying and a dream that is being born. Sometimes the hand of God touches a man and he becomes imbued with unshakeable faith in his fellowmen. Such a man was Martin Luther King, Jr. whose faith gave him that kingliness of spirit that moved his people to the mountain top. And that was no ordinary dream. For Martin Luther King, Jr. was a disciple who proved the rightness of the master's teaching and in doing so became a master in his own right. Human diversity is now increasingly accepted as a natural phenome­ non, as the weather, and not as an excuse for the exploitation of man by man. It is also increasingly realized that non-violent struggle against injus­ tice and inequality has become the moral equivalent for war in a world that faces certain extinction through the use of nuclear weapons. Mr. Chairman, it is now my proud privilege to read out the message from my Prime Minister, Mr. Morarji Desai, whom I have the honour to represent here:

"I would like to renew, on behalf of the people of India and on my own, our solemn pledge to continue the struggle against the heinous

*Mr. Jaipal also read out a message from H . E . M r. M orarJI·· D esa1,· p nme· M"1mster · o f I n d"ta. 18 crime of apartheid. This degrading and inhuman practice, calculated to continue the exploitation of man by man, cannot be tolerated any longer and the international community must do all within its power to eliminate it forthwith. The contribution of the late Martin Luther King, Jr. to the cause of human dignity, and to attend to man's spiritual upliftment is too well-known to need recapitulation. He performed the supreme sac­ rifice by laying down his own life in his crusade for equality and jus­ tice. It is in recognition of his indomitable spirit that my country awarded him the Jawaharlal Nehru Award posthumously. We should use this opportunity to renew our commitment to an in­ ternational order based on liberty, equality and justice. While the ob­ stacles in our path may be many, there cannot be a more fitting trib­ ute to Martin Luther King, Jr. than to march on in the belief that "We shall overcome".

A CRUSADER AND A PIONEER OF SORTS

Statement by H. E. Mr. 0. Jolaoso, Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States*

"It is with a deep and lasting sense ofloss that I pay tribute to the mem­ ory of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on this occasion which should have been his fiftieth birthday. The events of that tragic day in April 1968 are so fresh in my mind, that I can hardly believe ten years have passed since an assassin's untimely bullet silenced the voice of peace and love, the voice of reason and toler­ ance and the harbinger of racial harmony, civil rights, and social justice. Yes, that voice may have been stifled, but the message lives on. It will forever remain a clarion call to all nations to abhor violence, eschew injus­ tice, and uphold human dignity and freedom. It is therefore, immensely befitting that the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid has chosen to honour the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. during this specially designated human rights decade.

*Mr. Jolaoso read out a message from H. E. Lt. General Olusegun Obasanjo, Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 19 Dr. ~1anin Luther King. Jr. was a crusader and a pioneer of sorts. Not unly did he look around him al thinl!s whid1 offended his humanism in his n;1ti\c land and ;1',kcd why. lk ai'so notc:d the absence of those things \\ hich upheld the dignity of man and a!-.ked why not. Never before have 1111c man·,· 'why" and ··why not" pricked a nation"s conscience so hard it 1;1i,cd the unwritten norms tlf human relationships into a binding code of c11nd111.:1 and h11m;111 r1..·lati0t1,. Such is the American Civil Rights Bill, con­ cci\'ed in cquity. j11!-.licc and promulgated in sweat, blood and tears: the "' cat of many a man:her in the civil rights movement: the blood of Martin I .ulhcr Kini,!, Jr .. John FilZ!,!crald Kennedy and many unsung heroes who paid the ,upreme saerilke: and the tears of all of us for whom, in order that we may he accorded our rightful place in society, their blood was ,hed. What goes on in southern Africa today is therefore, a universal tragedy. The racial bigotry and intolerance. and the tenacious and deliberate sub­ jugation of Africans by while minority groups in Rhodesia and South Af­ rica offend again!'.! humanity. justice. and global peace and security. This i, why we call upon all peace-loving people of the world to hold common cause against the common enemy before further human blood is wantonly shed. We shall not be deterred on this fiftieth anniversary of the birth of that illustrious son of the earth and crusader extraordinary, I, on behalf of my­ self. and of the Government and people of Nigeria, wish to convey sincere greetings lo Mrs. Coretta King, to the Governor of the State of Georgia, Mayor Maynard Jackson, and the entire people of Atlanta, Georgia. I wish to express the hope that this fiftieth anniversary will remind us all of our sacred obligation to conclude the task of securing human freedom and dignity-a task which was so well begun by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. May his soul rest in eternal peace!"

20 HE WILL CONTINUE TO INSPIRE US ALL

Statement by H. E. Mr. Abdirizak Haji Hussen, Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations*

In commemorating the fiftieth birthday of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we must see in his life's work not only his unshakable commit­ ment to the cause of civil rights in America, but also his commitment to wider concerns, such as universal respect for human rights, the abolition of racial discrimination, the self-determination of peoples, the elimination of hunger, poverty and disease and the creation of harmonious relation­ ships among peoples and nations of the world. These fundamentals cham­ pioned by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. are also cornerstones of the Char­ ter of the United Nations and of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Although his life was cruelly cut short by those who opposed these uni­ versal principles and purposes, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 's selfless ef­ forts for the common good of mankind will continue to inspire all who struggle against those dark forces which keep many peoples in bondage and suppress their inalienable right to live in freedom and dignity.

HE ENVISAGED A WORLD FREE OF RACIAL INJUSTICE, POVERTY AND WAR

Statement by Mr. Mohamed Osman, Representative of Sudan*

It is indeed an honour to participate in this solemn occasion to pay an international tribute to the memory of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on his fiftieth birthday.

* Mr. Hussen read out a message from H. E. Mohamed Siad Barre, President of the Somali Democratic Republic *Mr. Osman read out a message from H. E. Gaafar Mohamed Nimeiri, President of the Democratic Republic of the Sudan and at that time, Chairman of the Organization of African Unity. 21 I deeply regret my inability to attend in person, due to other important commitments. and I hope that this message will express our sincere feelings and total commitment to the aims and objectives of the struggle for which Dr. King gave his life. The dream for which Dr. King struggled all his life and which culminated in his martyrdom, envisaged a world free of racial injustice. poverty and war. We in Africa share the same noble ob­ jectives because large parts in our continent are still dominated by racist regimes, foremost amongst which is the apartheid regime in South Africa. The problem of aparthl'icl has seized the full attention and considera­ tion of the international community for so long and will perhaps continue to remain a preoccupation of the African countries for many years to come. It is therefore imperative to maintain and further consolidate the bonds which unite all peoples struggling against apartheid and all forms of racial discrimination, in every corner of the earth. We feel that it is significant that the Special Committee against Apar­ theid has decided to hold this special session in Atlanta, Georgia, and on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birth. The struggle which was waged by Dr. King for the elimination ofra­ cial discrimination against the black community in the United States, is a clear demonstration of the close relationship between the struggle of the Afro-Americans and that of the indigenous South Africans, in terms of sharing a common heritage and a common enemy. The advances made in this country in alleviating discriminatory practices against the black community have led in turn to a more active participation by the Ameri­ can Administration in resolving the problems of racial discrimination and colonization in the southern part of our continent. The unity of purpose shared by the Afro-Americans and the Africans has led to an increasing understanding of the mutual problems faced by them, and the evolution of a mechanism by which both communities could co-operate in resolving their mutual problems, and in taking interest in each other's affairs. It is our sincere hope that this evolving pattern of co-operation will be reflected in growing and deepening relations between the peoples of Africa and the United States, based on mutual understand­ ing and respect, and endeavouring together, to ensure respect for the dig­ nity and worth of all human beings. The involvement of the Afro­ Americans in the efforts to resolve the problems faced by the African con­ tinent will prompt in its wake the Government of the United States, and the other Western Governments, to play a more active and positive role in resolving these problems and helping to usher the African continent to an era of freedom and prosperity. We believe that the Western countries have an effective leverage with the racist regimes in the southern part of Africa, which draws its signifi­ cance from historical, economic and strategic links which Europe and the

22 United States have with the white communities of South Africa. This leverage could be put to the best use to eliminate eventually all traces of racial discrimination and colonialism in the region; to narrow the scope of foreign interference and meddling in the internal affairs of Africa and to put an end to a problem which has been a source of recrimination between the two sides for so long. Is it too much to hope that the voice of Africa will be heard far and wide on this auspicious occasion and that we shall witness in the near future more rapid progress being achieved on all fronts in southern Africa, namely, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa? Let us hope so, let us hope that we shall all join hands to make this spe­ cial session a turning point in the history of Africa, and in the annals of Afro-American and African co-operation, because this will ultimately be the best tribute to the memory of a great leader who shared our views, struggled for our common objectives, and gave his life willingly in the course of this struggle.

AN INSPIRING EXAMPLE TO THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE THE WORLD OVER

Statement by H. E. Mr. Paul Bomani, Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United States and Personal Representative of the Head of State*

I am particularly honoured to have received the instruction from my President, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, to deliver this message on his behalf and to pay special tribute to a leader who is covered in glory for his part in the struggle against racialism. This session in Atlanta, Georgia, combines history and geography in reaffirming and placing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the forefront of the struggle that this committee and the rest of man­ kind is engaged in. The protracted and courageous non-violent struggle by Mr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his fellow countrymen was not only pivotal to the struggle against racialism in the United States, but was an

*Mr. Bomani also read out a message from H. E. Mr. Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, President of the Republic of Tanzania. 23 enlightening and inspiring example to the liberation struggle the world over. The light against colonialism and racism in Africa is highly indebted to the determination and the commitment that Dr. King exhibited in his :-,lruggk for civil rights. Over a decade after he was brutally silenced, the world is still eized with this item on its agenda and a United Nations Special Committee had to move frnm New York to Atlanta to get inspiration from the great deeds of thi:-, outstanding humanitarian and peerless leader. We still have to ask ourselves in 1979 how many more have to fall hefore the world can have the will to jointly marshal! the vast resources we command, for the noble purpose of eliminating ll/Jllrthl'id from mankind's agenda? This is a major task for us all. And it is a legacy we cannot pass on to o'ur next generation. ,\purtltcid 11111.,t end! The task is arduous and formidable. But human his­ tory, ancient or contemporary reminds us of the fact that there has never been a system of tyranny that did not develop opposition strong enough to topple it. Mr. Chairman, this is a great day, and my President would have liked to he here today. Unfortunately, and I emphasize that, he is leading a coun­ try that is among the many countries that are at the forefront of the strug­ gle against the evils of apartheid. For that reason he is unable to attend. He, instead instructed me to deliver the following personal message which I have the great privilege to read to you:

"It is appropriate that a special session of the United Nations Spe­ cial Committee against Apartheid should be held in Atlanta, Georgia to mark the 50th birthday of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This meeting will act as a public recognition of the universal nature of the struggle against racialism, as well as being a tribute to one of the world's great fighters for human equality. For Dr. King inspires us all. The love he felt for all men made him reject and fight against rejection of any man or woman for having col­ our or shape given him by our Creator. His primary struggle was against racialism in his own country. His influence was world-wide. As we pay tribute to him and rededicate ourselves to the struggle against apartheid, we must also recognize our own continuing duty to carry on the fight against racialism and racial prejudice in our own countries, whatever form it may take and whatever racial group may be suffering from open or concealed discrimination. Yet imperfections in our own society do not excuse us, much less disqualify us, from joining in the world-wide struggle against apar­ theid in South Africa. For apartheid is institutionalized racialism, and racialism proudly proclaimed by South Africa and evangelized. It

24 is therefore a special danger to the world, and a special horror for its victims. These have no redress except their own self-sacrifice in struggling, and action of the rest of mankind. As the opponents of apartheid within South Africa suffer humiliation, to torture, and death, it is vital that the community of nations organized in the United Nations, should take action against the oppressive regime. Only if, as individuals and nations, we collectively act against the in­ humanity of apartheid are we entitled to the self-respect which should be every man's birth right. On behalf of the people of Tanzania, on behalf of the Tanzanian Government, I pledge our continued summitment to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and against racialism throughout the world. We send our good wishes for success of the special session of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid, meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on this day."

A CHAMPION FOR EQUALITY AND HUMAN DIGNITY

Statement by Mr. Mohamed Tayyab Siddiqui, Representative of Pakistan*

Today, Pakistan joins the international community in observing the fif­ tieth birth anniversary of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who laid down his life at Memphis, Tennessee, on 4 April 1968 for the just and noble cause of banishing racial injustice, inequality and poverty from the world. Pakistan has consistently opposed and condemned the abhorrent prac­ tices and policies of racial discrimination and apartheid which constitute a flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On this day, we reaffirm our whole-hearted support to the struggle of the valiant people of southern Africa for equality, human dignity and the complete elimination of the reprehensible system of apartheid and racial discrimination, the cause to which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had dedi-

*Mr. Siddiqui read out a message from the Government of Pakistan. 25 cated his life. The Government and people of Pakistan are convinced that the international community should impose sanctions against South Af­ rica for constantly violating the United Nations resolutions. We are confi­ dent that the heroic people of southern Africa will triumph in their just and nohle struggle to achieve their legitimate right of freedom and the elimina­ tion of all the vestiges of colonialism and racism from the continent of Af­ rica.

A LUMINOUS EXAMPLE FOR THE HUMAN FAMILY

Statement by Dr. Francis Norman, Representative of the Holy See:

As the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid holds commemorative sessions at Atlanta, Georgia, to render homage to the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, His Holiness Pope John Paul II sends his greetings together with the assurance of his prayers that the evocation of this outstanding figure will advance the establishment everywhere of peaceful, just and friendly relations between people of different races in a climate of forgiveness, reconciliation and readiness to collaborate for the good of all. His Holiness prays that many will be inspired by the luminous example of Dr. King to work fearlessly and tenaciously for the attainment by non­ violent means of this aim which is so much in keeping with the common nature shared by all members of the human family and is enjoined by christianity as a religious duty.

*Dr. Norman read out a message from His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

26 A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

Statement by H. E. Dr. Ahmed Esmat Abdel Meguid, Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations and Chairman of the African Group for the month of January 1979

It is indeed a privilege for me to participate on behalf of the African Group on this occasion to pay tribute to one of the most distinguished figures in history who exerted invaluable and outstanding contributions to the cause of freedom, human rights and peace among all peoples. It was the late Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., who devoted his life to a re­ lentless struggle. A struggle he fought with great determination and dedi­ cation against racism, apartheid and all forms of racial discrimination, in­ justice and oppression imposed by the powerful on the weak, the rich against the poor, the white against the black. It was also Martin Luther King, Jr. who initiated, planned and carried­ out, against great odds, the historic march towards equality among all peoples, notwithstanding their race, colour or sex. No one can deny the monumental achievements of that spiritual leader as a result of his gallant and non-violent struggle against all evils of inequality and hatred all over the world. During his short, but rich lifetime, he was a source of inspiration, not only for his own people, but also for all those who fought for their legiti­ mate aspirations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East as well as in all other parts of the world. Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was steadfast in his courageous strug­ gle, yet he always abhorred violence and preached peaceful and non­ violent methods to achieve his lofty objectives. So it was natural as a re­ sult of these tireless and extraordinary efforts that he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize which was, as he himself said:

A profound recognition that non-violence is the answer to the cru­ cial political and moral questions of our time-the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression.

The Africans and other third world peoples will never forget Martin Luther King, Jr. He is regarded, until the present moment, by the freedom fighters in southern Africa as their spiritual leader who guides and inspires them in their struggle for freedom, independence and dignity. We Africans will also never forget that he joined on 10 December 1962 27 in the :\r,pcal For Action Again-.t ,\1iurtlll'itl. calling for the international i-.olation of South Africa and an international quarantine of apartheid. Thc opprc-.-.cd black r,cor,lc-; in southern Africa have been fighting for many ycar-. again-.t 11p11rtlt1'id. racial discrimination and human injustice, the cau-.e which Dr. King fought and died. May I recall here some of his moving word-.:

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, sons of former -.lave-. and sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood ... I have a dream that one day even the State of Mississippi will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice ... I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character ...

Now that Dr. King's dream has come to a reality in his own country, let us r,ray that such a dream will soon also be a reality in Soweto, Windhoek, Salisbury and the whole southern Africa, thus Martin Luther King, Jr., will. as Mrs. Coretta King said, rest in a long-deserved peace. His mem­ ory will always be enshrined in the annals of history, and the message he conveyed shall always light the road to freedom, equality and human dig­ nity.

HE STRUGGLED FOR THE FREEDOM AND DIGNITY OF ALL PEOPLES

Statement by H. E. Mr. Isao Abe, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations and Chairman of the Asian Group for the month of January 1979

Let me begin by saying that I count it both an honour and a privilege to be able to speak to you today on behalf of the Asian Group of the United Nations. Fifty years ago, one of the truly great champions of human free­ dom and dignity was born in this city, and I want to express my apprecia­ tion to the Special Committee against Apartheid, particularly to His Ex­ cellency Ambassador Harriman, for their having had the vision to bring us 28 here today to pay international tribute to the memory of that man-the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. How appropriate it is that we have gathered here! It is in this city that Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in 1929. It is here that he lived during much of a career which was devoted to a whole-hearted struggle for the freedom and dignity of all peoples. Where else but in Atlanta could mem­ bers of the world community have gathered to accord the memory of this man the honour that it is due? Where else could the Special Committee against Apartheid, which carries on the struggle for which Dr. King gave his life, hope to draw attention as effectively to the contributions that Dr. King made before an assassin cut short his efforts? To be able to partici­ pate in today's observances commemorating the birth of this man, as the Chairman of the Asian Group of the United Nations, is for me great luck indeed and I shall cherish it for many years to come. Fifty years ago, Martin Luther King, Jr. was born into a world where racial discrimination was a pervasive fact of life. Martin Luther King, Jr., however, was not a man who could allow such a situation to remain un­ challenged. In I 955, while still a very young man, Dr. King became the leader of a struggle by the black citizens of Montgomery, Alabama, to achieve full equality of treatment with the white citizens of their city. The triumph of his non-violent boycott of Montgomery's segregated bus sys­ tem quickly thrust Dr. King into the national spotlight, and in 1957 he joined with black leaders from across the American South in creating the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, (SCLC). As founding Pres­ ident of the SCLC, Dr. King emerged as the single most prominent leader of the struggle of American blacks for racial equality. His accomplishments as leader of this struggle were astounding. Rely­ ing entirely upon non-violent protest and civil disobedience, Dr. King struck telling blows against the structure of segregation within his coun­ try, and played an important role in bringing about the passage of the sweeping Civil Rights Act of 1964. For these accomplishments alone he would merit an honoured place in the history of the struggle of mankind for dignity and freedom. Indeed, these accomplishments soon won him in­ ternational acclaim and resulted in his receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964; he was the youngest man ever to do so. But the struggle to which Martin Luther King, Jr. devoted himself tran­ scended national boundaries. It was not merely a struggle of the black people of one country for equality of treatment with their ~h_ite brethren-instead, it was the struggle for the fundamental human dignity of all people and for a world in which all mankind can live in peace and prosperity. It is clear that Dr. King was profoundly aware of the broader aspects ?f the struggl~ to which he was committed. A concrete example of th1 s 29 awan:ne-..-.. came on 10 December 1962. when Dr. King joined in sponsor­ ing an ·· Appeal for Action against Apartheid". which issued a call for the international isolation of South Africa and an international quarantine of 111 111nh,·id. Obviously. it is actions of this sort that form part of the reason for which the Special Committee against 1\/Jartheid has chosen to join today in honouring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But the reasons for the presence here today of members of the interna­ tional community go far beyond Dr. King's participation in an interna­ tional struggle against """rrhcid. In his wisdom. Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized that the struggle against racism. whether that struggle took place in South Africa or in his own country. was a part of the much greater struggle to achieve peace and prosperity throughout the world. His recog­ nition and proclamation of this fact placed him in the forefront of those leading the struggle for human dignity and freedom, and they help explain the universality of his appeal. To the people of Asia, for instance. it has seemed that Dr. King spoke directly to the major problems of their lives. Most Asians have experi­ enced racial discrimination at one time or another, and many Asian coun­ tries have emerged from the bondage of colonialism only during the past three and a half decades. The majority of Asians are still extremely poor, and they constitute a major portion of what is frequently referred to as the third world. Thus, the people of Asia are profoundly aware of the neces­ sity to create a world order in which all men are afforded the means to live full and decent human lives. Part of the greatness of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lies in the fact that he recognized the need for such a reworking of the world order, and realized that this could occur only if there was a revolution in the values of the people of the developed countries. As he remarked in a speech during 1967:

"A true revolution of values will soon cause us to question the fairness and justice of many of our past and present policies. On one hand we are called to play the Good Samaritan on life's roadside; but that will be only an initial act. One day we must come to see that the whole Jericho Road must be transformed so that men and women will not be constantly beaten and robbed as they make their journey on Life's highway. True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beg­ gar; it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring."

In the decade since his death, the ideas which Dr. King expressed in the speech I have just quoted have won all but universal recognition. They constitute fundamental tenets of the activities of the United Nations in at- 30 tempting to foster economic and social development, and countries such as my own make every effort to ensure that the "'edifice which produces beggars" is in fact restructured. It is above all this sort of breadth and depth to the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that made him a man whose memory continues to inspire people throughout the world. As we gather today to honour that memory, I would suggest to you that that memory is best honoured by the continua­ tion of the struggle for which Dr. King gave his life. I need hardly point out that one of the areas in which that struggle is being most vigorously pursued is in the struggle against apartheid. The task of eradicating this foul and inhuman system of exploitation, through which the entire black population of South Africa is subjected to unspeakable poverty and deg­ radation, is one at which the entire United Nations system has laboured for years. The efforts of the Special Committee against Apartheid, which is one of the key committees of the United Nations, have been especially outstanding, and I think that the Committee should be highly commended for its unstinted devotion to the achievement of so cherished a goal of the world community. At this point, I would like to speak for a moment as the representative of Japan, rather than of the Asian Group as a whole. Because of its own bitter experience at the beginning of this century, Japan feels the strongest possible revulsion toward the entire concept of racial discrimination, and particularly toward so virulent a form of racism as that practiced by South Africa. The Japanese people are firmly united in their conviction that the racial policies of the South African Government are a clear violation of the principles of racial equality and a respect for fundamental freedoms, and that they cannot be tolerated by the world community. Apartheid is a slap in the face to the aspirations of all peoples for a decent and humane existence, and is an affront to the memory of a man like Dr. King. Today, therefore, I call on the world community to take the occasion of this solemn anniversary to rededicate itself to the struggle for the goals for which Martin Luther King, Jr. laid down his life. Let apartheid be abolished, let all men enjoy the peace, freedom and prosperity to w?ich they are entitled, and let the vision of Martin Luther King, Jr. be realized at last.

31 IIE l 1N:\L\SKED TIii ◄ : INSEPARABLE Ll'.'iK TIIAT RACISi\l AND COLONIALISM II:\ \'E \\'ITII ACGRESSIVE \VARS

Stall'rnenl hy 11. E. Mr. Vladimir N. Martynenko, l'ermanenl lfrpre..,enlative of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic lo the United Nation.., and Chairman or the East European (iroup for the month of January 1979

On he half oft he group of Socialist countries of Eastern Europe, the Del­ egation of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic joins its voice with lho..,c who arc paying their deep respect 10 an outstanding figure of the Black movement in the United States of America; a fighter against racism and racial di..,criminalion. Martin Luther King. Jr. All of the many differ­ ent activities of Martin Luther King, Jr. arc bright pages in the modern history of this country. Tireless in unmasking all of the evils of racism and colonialism, Martin Luther King, Jr. unmasked the inseparable link that racism and colonialism have with agressivc wars. He strongly demanded an end to all vile wars of aggression. He spoke out against poverty and so­ cial oppression. He fought for the equality of rights of all peoples for peace and for disarmament. One of the important merits of Reverend King is that he came to under­ stand the social essence of the race problem and the need for social trans­ formations in order to eliminate it. He called for a unity of action by all peoples whatever their race against racism and for the complete isolation, as he called it, of the monstrous Government of South Africa which is conducting a criminal fight against its own black people. "The time has come" said Reverend King in 1965 "to create an international alliance of peoples of all nations against racism." Neither constant unjust persecution nor threats and attempts of physi­ cal retaliation were able to break Reverend King's will to fight for social justice and the equality of all people, regardless of the colour of their skin. Reverend King was shamefully killed at a time when he, aware that the source of racism, poverty and wars is imperialism, was striving to develop a mass-movement against poverty, racial oppression and a vile, aggres­ sive war. But, bullets were not able to kill what was said by Reverend King on 28 August 1963 about his famous dream. This dream of equality of all peoples; a dream, that is a dream whose implementation throughout history was something fought for by the best representatives of mankind and it is something which we were never to believe would come true. It will come true also for the oppressed people of South Africa and the best tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., to all fighters against racism, apartheid 32 and colonialism, will be a growing unity of actions. of all peoples of good­ will and the fight for the final elimination of racism, apartheid and coloni­ alism from our earth. Martin Luther King, Jr. appealed in the past for a complete isolation and boycott of the racist regime of South Africa. Today it would be ap­ propriate to re-emphasize that the Special Committee should be even more active in its efforts to achieve that goal. It should work to get the known partners of Pretoria to end all co-operation with the racists in mili­ tary. political, financial. diplomatic, and all other areas. It is necessary to increase specific assistance and support to the oppressed people of South Africa and to its national liberation movement in their just struggle. Any co-operation with racists is a joint participation in the crimes of apartheid and is a major obstacle on the path to the elimination of this criminal sys­ tem. Therefore, it is necessary to bring about an implementation by all States of the relevant decisions of the United Nations in this area. The Socialist countries have always, as a matter of principle, consistently been on the side of peoples fighting against racism, apartheid, colonialism and imperialism. The Declaration of the member States of the Warsaw Pact on 23 November 1978 emphasized that,

The Socialist States strongly support the people of Zimbabwe and Namibia in their selfless struggle for a rapid achievement of national independence. They stand shoulder to shoulder with the just struggle of the people of South Africa to eliminate apartheid and all forms of racial discrimination. They condemn the attempts to impose on the peoples of Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa, alien neo­ colonialist decisions which may lead to the danger of new conflicts in this region.

On the basis of this position of principle the Socialist countries will con­ tinue to give assistance and support to peoples who are fighting to elimi­ nate colonialism and apartheid, racial and social oppression and who are fighting for peace and friendship among peoples and who are fighting for international co-operation on the basis of equality. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, we would like to express our gratitude to the King family, the Mayor and the authorities of Atlanta for the hospital­ ity that they have shown in allowing us to hold this special session of the Special Committee against Apartheid. Allow us to express the _hope that this session will serve as a further mobilization in the fight against apar­ theid and that it will strengthen the support and assistance given to the ?a­ tional liberation movement of South Africa and their just struggle to bnng about the complete liquidation of the remains of colonialism and the abomination of apartheid. 33 IIE HELONGED TO ALL PEOPLE EVERY\VIIERE

Statement by H. E. Mr. George A. Griffith, Permanent Repre~entative of Grenada to the United Nations and Chairman of the Latin American Group for the month of January 1979

It i-, indeed a great honour for me to he here in Atlanta today to partici­ pate in paying trihute to the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the anniver~ary of his fiftieth hirthday. I speak in my capacity as Chair­ man and on hehalf of the Latin American group of nations at the United Nations. which group has conferred upon me the authority and mandate to express their endorsement, and support of all the statements and words of trihute made here today and over the weekend in tribute to the memory of one of the most distinguished civil and human rights leaders the world has been privileged to know. The Latin American nations arc very proud of their cultivation of and adherence to, all the basic principles of human and civil rights. We lay un­ qualified emphasis on, and we stress man's obligations to respect civil and political rights, including the right to life, the right to humane treatment, freedom from slavery, the right to personal liberty, the right to a fair trial, freedom of conscience and religion, freedom of thought and expression, in fact all the basic principles that encompass social justice and the personal liberties of man. Today, we are paying tribute to a personality whose entire life was an example of, and a devotion to, the cultivation of these very principles mentioned above. Indeed, like the rest of the world, Latin America was deeply saddened and shocked at the untimely and brutal "obliteration" of such a personality, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ten years ago. A personal­ ity whose very outreach was universal and whose devotion was consistent with all support of all the nations of Latin America in particular. Together with the thinking people of the world, and with those to whom human justice and freedom mean so much, Latin America is anxious to preserve the memory of this wise and courageous American, so that his exemplary life and indeed his words may continue to guide the way to­ ward human dignity for all, and for peace and understanding throughout the world. Dr. King was an outspoken person, bold enough to openly challenge the failure of Governments and Supreme Courts on the matter of civil rights. He believed firmly in a future where men and women would no longer be judged by the colour of their skins, but by the content of their character. He advocated peaceful means of achieving respect and self-satisfaction 34 for all men. Indeed, it was significant that at a relatively young age he was honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize. He was a man who was deeply aware of his unique position, recognizing the fact that history had thrust upon him a responsibility he could not shirk. As he himself said, .. It would be immoral and a sign of ingratitude if I did not face my moral re­ sponsibility to do what I can in this struggle." He was a man in the eyes of the world and did his duty with dignity and perseverance. Those who were critical of the honour conferred on the distinguished Reverend were obviously unmindful of the significance of his cries for peace, for non-violence, and his doctrine which rather than exhorting his followers to revenge, implored on them the need to champion change by human and peaceful means. The world will always remember the words of brotherly love preached all over by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Latin America views the life and philosophy of the late Reverend King as an example of man's expectations and man's understanding of the in­ alienable right to social justice, equality and personal liberty. And so, Mr. Chairman, it behooves us to at this present time to recog­ nize with deep appreciation the work that is continuing in order to fulfil! that great dream of the Reverend King, Jr. As we commemorate the fif­ tieth anniversary of his birth, we too are grateful for the opportunity to add our voices to the well-deserved tribute, to the King family. Mrs. Coretta King, Dr. King, Sr. and the rest of the family have shown a tenac­ ity and a dedication to the ideals of social justice and brotherly love, to dealing with the ugly problems of racial prejudices and discrimination. Mr. Chairman, someone once said that Martin Luther King, Jr. belonged to all people everywhere. We would like at this point to add that the con­ tinued dedication of the King family and the Center for Social Change be­ longs to all peoples everywhere.

35 IIE CARED FOR EVERY lllJMAN BEING IN NEED OF JUSTICE, PEACE AND SOCIAL PROGRESS

Statement by H. E. Mr. Hugo Scheltema, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations and Chairman or the Group of Western European and other States for the month of January 1979

I welcome this opportunity to address this session of the Special Com­ mittee and thereby to underline the aims and purposes of its work and in­ deed its very existence. For the boy or girl born in this town SO years ago the future cannot have seemed very bright. Soon they were confronted with humiliating experi­ ences of social injustice that they were never to forget. What could have been considered a personal reaction to this situation becomes today, as the purpose of this international meeting proves, the continuation of an unrelenting struggle to which Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life. Dr. King's struggle, which was characterized by the use of exclusively peaceful means, took place on three different fronts. His primary concern was the battle against racial discrimination which contributed to the adop­ tion of the Civil Rights Bill of 1964. But his non-violent crusade against in­ equality did not stop there and he directed his efforts towards remaining social and economic injustices. His rejection of every form of violence led him to oppose war actively and eventually brought him international rec­ ognition when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Dr. King's main achievement, however, transcends the concrete results of his activities. It also transcends the borders of his country, of the West­ ern world of which I am a representative, and indeed of the world as a whole. Through his words and his actions, Dr. King has affected victims of discrimination, oppression, warfare and poverty all over the world by showing them that even in extremely difficult situations, changes for the better can be brought about. This has been done first of all by putting his person in the service of every human being in need of justice, peace and social progress, regard­ less of his race or nationality. By doing so, Martin Luther King, Jr. has translated the principles that inspire the United Nations into action. When I mention principles and action by the United Nations, I think in the first place of today's occasion, the laudable initiative of this Committee, its Chairman and members to whom I hereby pay the tribute they so largely deserve. 36 MARTIN LUTHER KING, .JR. AND THE TRADITION OF NON-VIOLENCE

Statement by H. E. Mr. Andrew Young, Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations

Thank you very much Mr. Chairman, and let me take this opportunity to thank the members of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid for sharing with us this important day of deliberation. I don't think you can imagine as yet the impact that this can and will have on the politics of the United States. It is not your intention, nor is it in your realm of influence to plan such things. But when Mrs. King and Ambassador Harriman first talked about the Committee coming down here, nobody had any idea that President Carter would receive the Martin Luther King Peace Prize. What we have seen this weekend is the coming together of a variety of forces, and I always think that whatever happens in Atlanta ultimately has an impact on the entire nation. That's been true from the days of W.E.B. DuBois and Booker Washington. It was true during the days of Martin Luther King, Jr.; it was true when Hubert Humphrey received an honorary degree from Atlanta University; it was true when Jimmy Carter received an honorary degree from Morehouse College. Somehow that fact of built­ in, certain influence spread nation-wide and I think that this Committee is sharing with us in a wonderful tradition of helping this nation become more acutely aware of the situation in southern Africa, and of our re­ sponses to the problem of apartheid. It would be very interesting to note, that also in June one of the honor­ ary degree recipients in the Atlanta University complex from Morehouse College will be Mr. Joshua Nkomo of the Patriotic Front of Zimbabwe. I talked with Mr. Nkomo in Lusaka just a few weeks ago and he told me that he had been asked to receive this award. I explained to him the im­ portant tradition that he was joining. He said that he would certainly ~e here to receive it, unless he was called to put together a Government m Salisbury at that time. . I would just like to say a few words about Martin Luther Kmg, !r.; t~e tradition of non-violence that he represents, and briefly its relatwnship with this Committee. . . . Non-Violence came to us from Africa. It was Mahatma Gandhi who 10 his early protest used non-violence against apartheid. It moved on to l~­ dia It was reborn again under the leadership of Chief Albert Lu!huh, wh~se daughter happens to now reside in Atlanta. We have seen it de- 37 vdop in -;ud1 a way in the United States of America that is quite different from the experiences which occurred in other parts of the world. That is a-; it 'ihould he. But one of the things that concerns me is that we in the United Nations and those of us who come out of this non-violent tradition have always tended to think of non-violence as it was last demonstrated in our town. I would like to contend that what we sec happening across the world today is very much influenced hy a non-violent understanding of how change can occur. When Mrs. King was honoured at a luncheon at Ambassador Harri­ man·s. it happened to coincide with the beginning of the difficulties in Iran. When Amhassador Harriman called on me to speak, there was nothing that I had on my mind except what was going on in Iran. What I saw in lrnn was completely different from anything that all of our press happened to sec. Everybody wanted to make Iran something of a big Power struggle. They wanted to make it something ofa religious rebellion. The thing, however, which impressed me most about what was happening in Iran. was that millions of people walking in the streets with no weapons, were confronting the State which had a greater accumulation of sophisticated weapons than all but two or three of the major powers of the world. Simple people with no weapons at all, somehow organized their will to bring about a transformation of that society in their interest. I would say that that experiment also in non-violence, whether of ideology or of necessity, is an important thing for us to take note of.

AN UNCOMPROMISING DEFENDER OF EQUAL RIGHTS AND UNIVERSAL PEACE

Statement by H. E. Mr. Yury E. Fokine, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to the United Nations

Let me first of all express my appreciation to the Special Committee against Apartheid for the invitation to take part in this special meeting dedicated to the 50th birthday anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. this country's outstanding fighter for human rights, for social change, and for the elimination of racism at home and abroad. For over a decade Martin Luther King, Jr. stood at the helm of the struggle of his black compatriots for their inalienable rights. 38 Like his great predecessors-Frederick Douglass. Dr. Du Bois and Paul Robeson-Martin Luther King, Jr. made a substantial contribution to the liberation struggle of his people. Having exposed the organic link between racism, colonialism and wars of aggression. he urged all forces. fighting against these evils, to unite not only at national. but also at international levels. In doing so, he did not limit himself to a role of a visionary and a detached observer, but was part and parcel and a leader of the movement for equal rights for all peoples and for universal peace. Speaking at a meeting sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in mid-April. 1962, Martin Luther King. Jr. stated that ours was the epoch of the offensive by the oppressed people, and that all peoples deprived of their rights and freedom were joining in the active struggle on all the continents of the globe. "The struggle for freedom"­ he pointed out-"forms one long front crossing oceans and mountains." An advocate of non-violent action, Dr. King did not conceal his feelings of disgust towards the proponents of racism, colonialism and wars of ag­ gression like that in Vietnam. He resolutely and courageously resisted policies of this kind. A decade has passed since the assassination of this outstanding great American. But the ideas Dr. King put forward in the 1960's remain of ex­ treme urgency both for his fellow countrymen in their own country and for Africa for which Dr. King felt a particular sympathy. That is why, cel­ ebrating the 50th birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. one should not en­ gage merely in laudatory speeches about his great contribution to the triumph of justice and the victory of good over evil. This is not what Mar­ tin Luther King, Jr. would expect from his national as well as interna­ tional community. Recognizing some positive changes in the world over the last years, we must not overlook the fact that many things which Dr. King opposed, are still poisoning the climate in the world. Unfortunately today, many aspects in the policies of some States stand in the way of pos­ itive change. Take a good look at the African policy of some major countries. How can one speak of the aspirations of those countries for peace and justice on the African continent and elsewhere, when they, regardless of the ap­ peals of the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations and the world public at large, do not cease their collusion with the racialist ~e­ gimes in the south of Africa, which were branded with the shame and in- dignation in his time by Martin Luther King, Jr.? . The General Assembly at its XXXIII session, after a thoro~gh anal~s1s of the situation in southern Africa, forcefully condemned this colluswn which, as was pointed out in a number of the General Assembl_y r~solu­ tions enables the racists to continue the persecution and exp!mtatw_n of the i~digenous populations as well as to perpetrate aggressive actwns against independent African States. 39 The General Assembly called upon all the Governments, inter­ governmental and non-governmental organizations to intensify their ac­ tion aimed at the cessation of any support for the racist regimes, at their total isolation as well as the mobilization of an all-round assistance to the liberation movements in their struggle for the restoration of the rights of the oppressed peoples. We arc sure that, had Martin Luther King, Jr. been alive today, he would have taken a most active part in the growing popular movement against racism, colonialism, neo-colonialism and all other forms of op­ pression and exploitation. The most expeditious realization of all the ideals which Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for and gave his life for, would be the best monument to this outstanding American. My country pledges its continuing and steadfast support to achieving this noble goal, the dream that Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed.

HE LIVES IN THE STRUGGLES OF EVERY PEOPLE FOR PEACE

Statement by Mr. Ramesh Chandra, President of the World Peace Council

It has been said that Martin Luther King, Jr. was only an American, only a black man, only a fighter for civil rights, only a man who perhaps made an impact on his own people. But the very fact of the coming here of the United Nations; the very.fact of the coming here ofmy delegation, the World Peace Council, representing 130 countries of all continents, is proof that Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great American, he was a great black, he was a great fighter for civil rights. But he was much more than that. He was a fighter for every cause of every people everywhere in the world. The cause of peace and equality, justice and freedom for all people everywhere in the world. So do not listen to those who would like to put Martin Luther King, Jr. high, of course, on a pedestal but couldn't find time to do something which was a great part of his work, but was only a part of his work. To­ day, I would say that all Governments of the world, the United Nations as such, can learn and can gain a great deal from honouring Martin Luther King, Jr. 40 In the presence of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, I could not congratulate this Special Committee against Apartheid more than tc, say that by this means of coming here, you have brought the United Na­ tions to Atlanta, the birth place of Martin Luther King, Jr. But he was nol only a man who fought against ll/Ntrtheid, but at the same time let me say that we who do not represent the Governments, but the peoples, we be­ lieve that the United Nations as a whole should have come to Atlanta to honour a man who fights for everything for which the United Nations stands. Be it quite clear, do not mourn; Martin Luther King, Jr. lives. He lives in the struggles of every people for peace today. He lives in the struggle against the arms race; he lives in the struggles for freedom, for equality; everyone who fights against racism, who fights against poverty, who fights against war is Martin Luther King, Jr.; Martin Luther King, Jr. lives for all men and shall live at all times for all men everywhere in the world fight­ ing for all the things for which he fought. Why was Martin Luther King, Jr. killed? Do not be silent about the fact that he was killed. He was killed because he showed the unity of the struggle for peace against racism, against poverty. It was at the time when he rose and raised his loud voice against the inhuman war in Vietnam and the bombing of the Vietnamese people. It was at the time when he brought together the works of peace in this country with the movement against racism and poverty in this country. The unity of that movement was what frightened those who did not want Martin Luther King, Jr. to live. Who were they? Somebody is investigating it and I have lived through these days when we have heard from Congressman Fontroy who chairs the committee which investigates into this assassination, the part which was played by the worst elements in this country, in the murder and assassina­ tion of Martin Luther King, Jr. Who assassinated him? You may find this man or that man, or this group or that group, the role of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and all the rest of it. But those who assassinated him were precisely those who today profit from the arms race, those who profit from hunger and those who profit from racism. It is those who make profits out of the apartheid regime in South Africa. It is right and proper to be here to speak about South Africa becau~e Martin Luther King, Jr. called for tot~! sanctions ~gainst the apa.rthei~ regime long ago. This Special Committee has on its record, agam an again, the demand for mandatory economic sanctions against South Af- rica. · Somebody said to me the other day that sanctions would be_ agam5t non-violence and Martin Luther King, Jr. was non-violent. Non-vmle~~e~ the struggle of the liberation movement in South Africa is a struggle w ,c corresponds to exactly what Martin Luther King stood for. He never 41 preached cowardice just as Mahatma Gandhi never preached cowardice. He preached struggle against injustice and he would have stood side by side with all who fight against injustice. Today as we come to the end of the Anti-Apartheid Year of the United Nations, we look forward to new action by the United Nations against the apartheid regime. There is no use coming and speaking against apartheid unless at the same time you understand clearly that apartheid cannot be eliminated unless you stop the collaboration with the apartheid regime which goes on in many countries of the world, and above all in those countries which have been named by the United Nations again and again. We hope that the United Nations will at the end of this year launch the In­ ternational Mobilization against Apartheid whose main slogans are inter­ national mobilization against all collaboration with every company which works together with the racist regime; against every financial and eco­ nomic interest which works together with the apartheid regime. We hope, as has been said, that there will be changes as a result of this meeting here in Atlanta. Changes in the attitude of certain Governments which have continued to use the veto against the imposition of mandatory economic sanctions. There is no other way to go forward but towards the liberation of southern Africa than the imposition of mandatory economic sanctions. There is no other way to go forward but towards the liberation of southern Africa than the imposition of mandatory economic sanctions against the apartheid regime by the United Nations but through the Se­ curity Council and Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. This is what Martin Luther King, Jr. would have wished for. It is said that he dreamed dreams, and some would like to say the dream he dreamed was a good dream, but it was a dream. By that they mean that this dream cannot be fulfilled. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed, but he called for action to fulfil that dream. He did not say "sit back and watch", but he said "strug­ gle everywhere to fulfil that dream". During this last week here in the city of Atlanta people have come from all over this country and abroad to sit with the King family and to see how to strengthen that struggle to make this dream come true. It is not far. Many new things have been done, many victories have been scored, but there is still a long, long way to go. It is for this purpose that all of us have come here, to join in pledging ourselves, to redouble our work to make the dream come true. Martin Luther King, Jr. lives more than ever in the struggles of all people-South Africa, United States of America, in every continent which is familiar with the struggles for a better life. May I end by paying very special tribute to the entire King family and to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change which organized these great events during these days. The World Peace Council is a body which had great Americans as its founders whose names have been men-

42 tioned here-W.E.B. DuBois was a founder of the World Peace Council: Paul Robeson was a founder of the World Peace Council. On the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. the World Peace Council presented him with its highest award posthumously, and when it presented him with this it said "'we shall not rest till what Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for, for us, in every country of the world comes true." I would like to take this occasion to announce once again that the World Peace Council has decided to present this special award, a diploma of honour for the great work which is being done by Mrs. Coretta Scott King as the President of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change. For all her work for peace, for freedom for equality and justice. This entire year has been declared by us a year of Martin Luther King, Jr. to fight for these causes and in every part of the world there will be such cel­ ebrations and we look forward to close co-operation with Mrs. King in this work. She is giving a new dynamism to the work which her late hus­ band began. Martin Luther King, Jr. lives. Our struggles will be victorious for we carry the banner of this great American, this great citizen of the world, this great fighter of peace and justice, for every man.

HIS CONCERN FOR HUMANITY RECOGNIZED NO BOUNDARIES

Statement by Miss Herschell Challenor Representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Washington*

I welcome this opportunity to pay tribute to the memory of Martin Luther King on this 50th anniversary of his birth. UNESCO associates it­ self with you today because the preamble of its constitution adopted i~ 1945 "recognizes that the war which had then just ended was made possi­ ble by the denial of the democratic principles of the density, equality a?d mutual respect of men, and by the propagation in their place, through ig­ norance and prejudice, of the doctrine of the inequality of men and races. Martin Luther King's conviction that there is a peaceful way to change

M'bow Director-General of *Miss Challenor read out a message from Mr. Ama d ou Ma ht ar , UNESCO. 43 society and the minds of men stands as a shining example in an age when violence is increasingly regarded as the only effective method of bringing about change. His view of peace and freedom was not a narrow, parochial one. His concern for humanity recognized no boundaries. Freedom to him was in­ divisible and he felt that no one could consider himself really free, what­ ever his colour as long as anywhere in the world man enslaved man. In proclaiming forcefully that his struggle for the freedom of the black man in America could not be separated from that of his brothers in south­ ern Africa. Martin Luther King renewed the basic tie linking the African diaspora to the mother continent. The voice of Martin Luther King has swelled into an anthem of freedom rising above the muffled groans from the holds of the slave ships, the cries of revolt of the children of Soweto and of the Sharpeville martyrs, and the murmur of the numberless voices of the Montgomery, Washington and Selma marchers. This collective voice has been heard and heeded by UNESCO. For that 'dream of a man to become a reality for air, UN­ ESCO has set out upon that noble road where Martin Luther King has gone before. At the twentieth session of the General Conference in November 1978 UNESCO adopted by consensus a declaration on race and racial prejudice whereby the entire international community denies that there are any grounds, scientific, moral or cultural to racial prejudice. Let us in the international community pledge ourselves to renew and fulfil Martin Luther King's 'dream of a time when the world would see it­ self as one great family of nations' where 'no man would be an island unto himself and 'where man would not be judged by the colour of his skin but by the content of his character'. The United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid in joining to­ day's commemoration, has demonstrated that the United Nations system shares the legacy of Martin Luther King. I am convinced that the system is deeply committed to the idea expressed by Dr. King in his last book 'Where do we go from here: Chaos or Community?': 'the true non­ violence is more than the absence of violence. It is the persistent and the determined application of peaceable power to offenses against the com­ munity'. UNESCO for its part will strive consistently to combat in the minds of men all forms of discrimination and domination, for as Martin Luther King so rightly said "We still have a choice: Non-violent co-existence or co-violent annihilation'.''

44 A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND COURAGE

Statement oy Mr. Charles H. Weitz Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations•:•

On the occasion of the Special Session of your Committee in Atlanta to commemorate the fiftieth birthday of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) wishes to associate itself with the tribute paid by the world com­ munity to this inspiring personality. The struggle for racial equality, and for the elimination of poverty and for international peace in which Dr. King achieved world recognition are aims and objectives which have a direct bearing on the economic and so­ cial development of many countries and peoples. On several occasions, and in particular within the framework of the International Anti­ Apartheid Year, FAO has pledged its full support to these issues of world concern. In this respect, I wish to recall the message I issued on the occa­ sion of the tenth anniversary of Dr. King's death and in which I indicated the range of activities which F AO had developed in order to assist the vic­ tims of apartheid and racial discrimination. It is the belief of my organiza­ tion that the objectives for which it stands can never be achieved so long as whole population groups are condemned to a second class existence on the grounds of race-an existence in which they are deprived of the lands on which to grow their own food or the means to buy, it. In this tribute to Dr. King it seems most appropriate to associate Dr. King's widow, Coretta Scott King, who has carried on her husband's dream of a better world and has become one of the most respected civil rights leaders in the international community. It is a matter of pride to me that FAO, in 1977, selected Mrs. King to appear on the Ceres Medal is­ sued to honour prominent women of our time. The international tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. provides an­ other opportunity to restate our determination to continue our effor_ts to work for a world where human rights will be enjoyed by all human_bei~gs. In this difficult task, the personality of a leader such as Dr. Kmg is a source of inspiration and courage.

D' tor General of the Food *Mr. Weitz read out a message from ~r. Edo~ard S aouma, irec - and Agriculture Organization of the Umted Nations (FAO). 45 HE FOUGHT FOR THE LIBERATION OF THE OPPRESSED ALL OVER THE WORLD

Statement by the Reverend Canon L. John Collins, President of the International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa

It is a tremendous pleasure to me, and joy, to be allowed to speak at this commemmoration of a friend; who was a friend, I am glad to say, whose views I was able to share. This makes me feel even closer to him than might have otherwise been the case. I am honoured to be given the oppor­ tunity of speaking at this great occasion of his commemmoration. If we look back at the history of the human race, the men whose influ­ ence is alive still are not the great conquerors of the world, nor even the great statesmen. They are the prophets, the religious leaders and thinkers of the world, the creative artists. These are the people that are really re­ membered after their death right through history. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a devoted follower of one who held no worldly power nor position, who was still a Vt:ry young man when he died a most horrible death. Yet compared with the effect this life has had and still has on the course of human history-upon the human race just like the man he followed-men like him are remembered much more than other great people of the world. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great and worthy follower of Jesus of Nazareth who died that foul death, just as Martin Luther King, Jr. did. When the history of this century comes to be written, it is men like Martin Luther King, Jr., like Albert Luthuli, Mahatma Gandhi and such who will be remembered. These are the people that we ought to be regarding as those whom we just don't honour, but we do everything in our power to follow and meet with their great ideals and demands upon themselves. Martin expounded his philosophy and practice of non-violent resistance to injustice. He insisted that he was fighting not only for the liberation of the people in this country, but for the liberation of the oppressed and op­ pressors all over the world. I had the privilege of inviting him to come to London in 1960. He came and made the quite most astounding speech that I think London had heard for many, many years. Later in 1964, he returned to England in triumph on his way to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway. I asked him to preach in St. Paul's Cathedral, and if you would forgive me, I would just like to give one little impression. He spoke also incidentally on that occa­ sion at a Christian Action meeting entitled significantly and by his own choice "Brotherhood and Peace". We could have filled both the cathedral 46 and the meeting many times over. Ordinarily nobody in St. Paul's Cathe­ dral dares to preach for more than 20 minutes: Martin preached for 40 minutes, and still you could have heard a pin drop to the very last moment of that sermon. He came with exactly the same message that you have heard here: the world has heard; and which we had heard in his first meet­ ing. He came and rendered this message even more powerfully and con­ vincingly through his experience in the struggle that the non-violent resis­ tance movement was not just a soppy thing for soppy people but a terrific challenge to human beings of courage. The following year after that visit I also had the great pleasure, and my wife with me, of entertaining Coretta who came to London to help me to try to start a Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Fund in Britain. So I have double reason to rejoice at the thought of coming here today, and yester­ day. There is such an enormous amount that we can learn from the life and writings of Martin Luther King, Jr. that I just would Eke to end with three quite clear points that have been stated by a lot of people already but I still would like to restate them just to say how much I think they matter. First, that Martin Luther King, Jr. was concerned in his work, with the problem of non-violent resistance, but what he showed always and meant was that it needs as much courage, indeed, possibly more courage, to re­ sist evil with non-violence than it does even if you had the guns. It is easier to shoot and kill your enemy than it is to win your enemy by the non-violent persistence of confronting him with what is right and what is best for the human world. Secondly, in spite of everything that happens to it, and terrible things have happened, Martin Luther King, Jr. never lost heart and he never lost hope. He never allowed his dream to become compromised or tarnished. He never showed-any signs of hatred, bitterness nor desire for revenge, whether it was his friends, or thO'le he hardly knew, or his enemies. Lastly, just a tiny word about the area of his work in the field which most concerns me. Martin Luther King, Jr. was always deeply sympathe­ tic to and supportive of the African liberation struggle of southern Africa. Even in this difficult context he never Jost his belief in the rightness and efficiency of the attempt of non-violence. To this end he pleaded con­ stantly for effective international action against South Africa in order to bring about peaceful change. I say many times, in m_any place~. that the responsibility for violence in southern Africa is not with the Afncans who are frustrated, tortured and treated with horror; it is the fault and the re­ sponsibility of the regime. We all know that,- . . On my own part, I am quite certain that 1t 1s. nght and 1:roper neve~ to try to condemn those who are persecuted when 111 de~perat1~n they de~id~ to meet violence with violence. And I speak as a pacifist. It 1s not ~u~ t.1~ to be critical of those who in desperation turn to violence because 11 15 t e 47 only way left to them. The responsibility of violence is utterly and entirely the responsibility of the persecutors, and therefore it is for the world to deal with this situation and take upon itself, and particularly the world as represented by the United Nations, to take it upon itself to be its respon­ sibility to see to it that if it is to be a non-violent struggle it will be a fair struggle in negotiations between two equal partners. For the sake of a non-violent solution to racial injustice, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave everything that any human being could give, he gave his life, and what are we prepared to give? For God's sake-and I mean that-for God's sake let us insure that we do not escape in order to safeguard our own interests, our own prosperity, our own riches, our own happinesses in other countries to allow this to go on in South Africa to­ day.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.'S SIGNIFICANCE TODAY

Statement by the Reverend Gabriel Seteloane, Representative of the African National Congress of South Africa

I stand here not as a diplomat, I am not schooled in that line; but I do stand here as a man who shares a profession with a man we are com­ memorating today, Martin Luther King, Jr.-a Minister of the Word of God; schooled perhaps in other ways of telling the truth, the rugged truth sometimes, and not sugar-coated truths. I thank you very much for having invited me to come all the way from my Mother country which has been taken away from me and my people, to this occasion of commemorating and celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the late Martin Luther King, Jr. It is a great privilege to be here. Sometimes I wonder, when I look at what has been happening here over the last few days; it reminds us of what usually happens sometimes in Af­ rica. In African terms you say "as if you are invited to come and see how the other people eat and what kind of nice foods they enjoy.'' I speak as a black South African. To see how people can celebrate freedom when you yourself are living in sla 1ery is not a joy, it is a bitterness. Looking back on the words of the Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Nations when he spoke here; he knows better than 48 others, and having been so very close to the man we are commemorating, we must take his word that we in South Africa, the black indigenous people of South Africa, have not been impervious to the principle of non­ violent resistance. He is right. Mahatma Gandhi thought out and made perfect his system of non-violence while he was living in South Africa. When we honour Martin Luther King, Jr. the way we are doing, some of us ask questions why have we not been able in our own South Africa and in other places in the world to honour people like Albert Luthuli? No, I don't say we haven't honoured him, I don't begrudge anybody; all I am saying is that we have known this way, we are not impervious to this way, and the honourable Ambassador did say that we have learned these things from Mahatma Gandhi; we have learned it from people like Albert Luthuli; we practiced it. The question that must be put to you today is: why is it that this thing that has been learned from South Africa and has been successful in other parts of the world is not in the place of its birth, where Mahatma Gandhi did it? Where Albert Luthuli did it together with others? Why is it? I think we have got to be realistic. Those who are often so very much taken by these philosophies; very good indeed. However, we who have been trying to put them into prac­ tice, have come to a realization that the success of a strategy is not only in the strategy itself, it is not intrinsic in the strategy. The success or failure of a strategy really often depends on the adversary with whom or against whom the strategy is being put. It is high time that diplomats and world leaders are quite clear of the fact that the adversary that we are dealing with in South Africa is not the same as the adversary that Martin Luther King, Jr. dealt with here; or that Mahatma Gandhi dealt with in India when he was dealing with the British colonial regime. These men were deal­ ing with adversaries perhaps who had certain principles in them and therefore who could respond to the kind of principle and the kind of strategy to which they were devoted. Let us not be naive. People here have spoken about the hydra­ headedness of apartheid. More than its hydra-headedness, some of us in Africa have become aware and become very bitter and frustrated to the extent of seeing all beautiful words as lies. We have realized its multi­ tentacled roots. Apartheid, the regime in South Africa, could long have been taken off the face of the earth if it did not have roots in various parts of the world-in America, in Britain, in Japan-and all over. Nobody here can tell me that he is not my oppressor. We are tired, we Africans of South Africa, to be coming to nice interna­ tional organizations and hearing wonderful words being said about apar­ theid and against apartheid by the very people who g~ around and go back to entrench the very system that kills us and our chddren. We are thinking of the economic systems of the Western world. We are 49 thinking about how when you speak about economic sanctions against South Africa, it lends a lie to the whole thing. It is not even the first time we have talked about these things. We have talked about them in the early sixties. I myself, have come up this way through the World Council of Churches. I have been involved with them for ages and I have been in all kinds of discussions on apartheid and racism; how to break it down, all over the world. This question of sanctions does not convince me when it is being said so very nicely as if it is the panacea. The question is: Who is going to apply it? Who is going to apply it when we know, that today we have multina­ tionals spread throughout the world. These multinationals, right in South Africa today, are only debating on how to give autonomy to the local affiliate in South Africa. There are corporations, for instance, like General Motors which have become so very much bound by the legal system in South Africa that they can now forego the whole question of not supplying arms to South Africa, by producing the very arms and things right there, on the spot. They use a patent that has been supplied by people whose representatives come and speak against apartheid. We black people of South Africa want to say this to the world, and we say it without any excuses: we are tired of being used as pawns in the big Power game of the world. We have been used as pawns all the time. The time has come now for things to be counted down. Years ago, 10 to 15 years ago, it was Z. K. Matthews and Sir Hugh Foot who taught the con­ tinent of Africa, and taking it out from our mouths came and told the world what we already knew and what we knew was that is where the Third World War is likely to be fought. Futhermore this Third World War being fought on South African ground is going to be a war of ideologies and it is going to be a war of colour, black versus white. They became great on that. One wants to feel that as affairs are going on today in the world, we are coming closer and closer to that point, and one standing here in Atlanta gets tremendously worried. When I have come to this occasion which is predominantly a black occasion I ask myself, at that time, when it comes, where will my black brothers be? This raises the point, and this is what I would like to say to my Afro-American brothers; the policy of this coun­ try towards us is very much dependent upon your shoulders. Don't play the big game with them. Either you are going to think with your blood and be black with us, or you are going to think with your money, with your adoption, and be of this country. One fears; I can't say that I have dreams like Martin Luther King, Jr. My dreams are all nightmares and they have been nightmares for the last fifteen years. My nightmare is the day when that war that I have always feared on the southern part of Africa comes, and it is an ideological war,

50 and_rny brother's son from the United States standing on the other side of the ideology, goes out and fights in order to prop up apartheid. When the son of that very Martin Luther King, Jr. has to shoot my son and my pe~ple because he belongs to a country which feels that the ideology which ~y son and my people have taken in order to get freedom is a wrong ideology. That will be genocide. To my brothers in this country with whom I rejoice, I say in the words of your own American poets, can you really be free if there is on earth a slave, can you really be free?

ONE OF THE MOST COURAGEOUS FREEDOM FIGHTERS OF OUR TIMES

Statement by Dr. Erett Radebe, Representative of the Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania

The Chairman of the Central Committee of the Pan-Africanist Con­ gress, Comrade Leballo, has asked me to convey his regret to you, the Special Committee against Apartheid, and to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change, as well as to Daddy King, Mrs. Coretta King and other distinguished participants to this fiftieth anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr. that due to extremely pressing matters of the intensifying Azanian national liberation struggle, he is unable to person­ ally join you in paying greatly deserved tribute to one of the most coura­ geous freedom fighters of our times, the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. One of the greatest leaders of Africa of aU times, that is Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, paraphrased a quotation from the Bible "seek ye first the political kingdom and all else shall follow." The numerous ~ubl!c buildings, institutions, utilities and other facilities named after Dr. _Kmg m this city of Atlanta, and all over the United States, are a living tnbute to his brave struggle for civil rights for African descendents and. other minorities here in America as well as a fitting tribute to his magnamm_ous contribution to the freedom struggle for all of the people o~ the Umt:d States of America, and for all mankind. Even more symbolic of _Ma~m Luther King Jr. the King's legacy to America and to all_ multi-i:ac~;,l societies, ha; been the repeated occasion during this celebrat1on of his - 51 tieth birthday when we have seen black and white link arms here in the south and sing in full throat "We Shall Overcome". The New York Times yesterday said President James Earl Carter was paraphrasing the great Malcolm X when he said at the Ebenezer Church in his acceptance speech for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change Peace Award that "it is meaningless to enter a restaurant of your choice if you can't afford the plate on the table." That statement em­ phasizes the fact that the rhetorical bombast and dogma are not necessar­ ily the liberators of mankind. Until mankind is free, not only from the vulgarity of racial discrimina­ tion, apartheid and all systems denying us fundamental human rights, but to the equally vulgar exploitation of man by man, Martin Luther King, Jr. 's dream will remain unfulfilled. This special tribute to Dr. King will succeed, if we, one and all, pledge ourselves anew to go beyond the mountain top and retrieve King's dream. The Azanian national liberation struggle has pledged to make full contri­ bution to the struggle of mankind; our contribution towards fulfilling Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 's dream. It has been a simple decision to choose methods different to those advocated by Dr. King in our struggle in Azania. Indeed, that great landmark of our struggle, Sharpeville, was a peaceful protest. The peaceful agitator of this campaign was our late leader Malaison Robert Sobukwe. Reaching the Commissioner of Police to tell him that our people would be peaceful and orderly, Sobukwe asked the Commissioner to ask his police to be equally disciplined. Since then we had the Children of Soweto's peaceful protest on 16 June, 1976; again the apartheid regime's answer was massive violence and bloodshed. As the world knows, one after the other, our detained activists and leaders have been savagely eliminated. The sordid death of Steven Biko only high-lighted this savagery. The choice to take up arms to meet the repres­ sive violence with revolution violence is not only a merit of honour but as far as our experience is concerned, it is the only way to eliminating the centres of incendiary violence to which the oppressed masses of Azania have been subjected for more than three centuries. The support we enjoy from all over the world for this just cause is thanks to the sacrifices from men like King, Biko, Sobukwe, which has drawn attention to the glorious struggle for liberation in Azania.

52 A PIONEER IN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST APARTHEID

Statement by H. E. Mr. Leslie 0. Harriman (Nigeria) Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid

Our session is soon coming to an end. I must, on behalf of the Special Committee, express our gratitude to the Secretary-General, the Prime Minister of Sweden, the Foreign Minister of ~o~ay, the Governor of Georgia, the Mayor of Atlanta and all the dis­ tmguished participants who have helped make this a memorable session. I must convey our respects to all the Heads of State and Government who have sent us personal representatives and messages. Above all, I must e~press our profound gratitude to the King family and the Martin Luther Kmg, Jr. Center for Social Change for enabling us to share these precious moments with them. It has been for me one of the most moving occasions of my life. I hope you will understand if I do not make a very formal statement as Chairman of the Special Committee. . For when Dr. King led the civil rights movement, he did not merely send reverberations throughout this land. Millions of peoples in Africa and the Third World saw instantly that the struggle in Montgomery and Birming­ ham, in Selma and Albany was the same as the struggle in Johannesburg and Accra, in Algiers and Kingston. As one who spent the King years in Lagos, in Accra and Nairobi, I have lived through the development of the spirit of solidarity among the op­ pressed peoples which was the key to the liberation of many nations. We seek to extend that spirit to encompass all decent men and women in order to complete the emancipation of Africa and secure the final elimina­ tion of racism. The Special Committee against Apartheid decided to promote the world-wide observance of the fiftieth birthday of Dr. King-especially during this International Anti-Apartheid Year and the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination-in recognition of the tre­ mendous contribution of Dr. King to the struggle against racism and apar­ theid. Dr. King, I may recall, was the co-sponsor, with the late Chief A!bert Luthuli, of the "Appeal for Action against Apartheid" ~n Human Rig~ts Day 1962 calling for an effective international quarantine of apartl~e,d. He was' one' of the first leaders to lend support to the spec_,a · J Committee. when it was established in 1963. He saw clearly the economic and interna- tional dimensions of racism. 53 He wrote in his last major work-"Where do we go from here: Chaos or Community?" -as quoted in part by the Secretary-General this morn­ ing:

Among the moral imperatives of our time, we are challenged to work all over the world with unshakeable determination to wipe out the last vestiges of racism ... Racism is no mere American phenomenon. Its vicious grasp knows no geographical boundaries. In fact, racism and its perennial ally­ economic exploitation-provide the key to understanding most of the international complications of this generation. The classic example of organized and institutionalized racism is the Union of South Africa. Its national policy and practice are the incar­ nation of the doctrine of white supremacy in the midst of a population which is overwhelmingly black. But the tragedy of South Africa is virtually made possible by the economic policies of the United States and Great Britain, two countries which profess to be the moral bas­ tions of our Western world. The greatness of the vision of Dr. King rests in his clear understanding that the struggle against racism is inextricably linked with the struggle against poverty on a national and international scale and with the struggle for a secure and genuine peace among nations. He wrote:

Another grave problem that must be solved if we are to live cre­ atively in our world house is that of poverty on an international scale. Two-thirds of the peoples of the world go to bed hungry at night. They are undernourished, ill-housed and shabbily clad. Many of them have no houses or beds to sleep in. Their only beds are the sidewalks of the cities and the dusty roads of the villages. Most of these poverty-stricken children of God have never seen a physician or a dentist ...

The time has come for an all-out world-war against poverty. And as I have often said it isn't the guns of South Africa that are the most dangerous; what is responsible more for genocide in South Africa today is the malnutrition in the bantustans and the lack of medical care which leads thousands to death on an annual basis. So let us all who have assembled here to pay tribute to Dr. King and who have been inspired by this observance, pledge our efforts for the total elimination of racial injustice, poverty and war by concerted international action of all Governments and peoples. Let us recognize with him that "the struggle for freedom forms one long front crossing oceans and peoples." Let us forge "an international al- 54 liance of peoples of all nations against racism .. and quarantine "the monstrous Government of South Africa engaged in a grim war against its own black people." Let us strive for a "world-wide fellowship that lifts neighbourly con­ cern beyond one's tribe, race, class and nation". Let us build a powerful movement of all men and women to ensure as a fundamental human right that every man, woman and child in every nation has food, shelter, educa­ ~ion and health; that racist oppression is totally eliminated; that humanity is spared the awesome burden of armaments and the tragic agony of war. Let us proclaim ourselves the "creative extremists" in the cause of jus­ tice. For as Dr. King told his nation: "These are revolutionary times" which require a bold challenge to the status quo and unjust mores. Let us act with a sense of urgency. For, as Dr. King pointed out:

We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conun­ drum of life an dhistory there is such a thing as being too late. Pro­ crastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked and dejected with a lost opportunity.

As Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid, I invite aIJ those millions who have been inspired by Dr. King to join us in the Inter­ national Mobilization against Apartheid. At the same time, I am sure I represent the sentiments of all those pres­ ent here when I assure Mrs. Coretta Scott King that we pledge our efforts to fulfil the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. That dream was not confined to this nation, but embraced the entire world. That dream was the dream of all oppressed peoples, and of all men and women of conscience. It must be fulfilled by action in all nations and continents. I salute Mrs. Coretta Scott King who stood by Dr. King during his lifetime and who is today valiantly leading the march that he began. I have great honour to invite her to address this meeting.

55 LET US MAKE HIS DREAM A REALITY

Statement by Mrs. Coretta Scott King, President of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change

Mr. Chairman, Excellencies; Ambassador Young, members of the Committee against Apartheid, friends representing the non-governmental organizations and all our international visitors and participants and friends: this has been the greatest commemoration of Martin's birthday that any of us have had the privilege to participate in. Our theme during the observance of Dr. King's 50th birthday has been "You can fulfill the dream." It has already been fulfilled in part-maybe a very small part. The fact that you have come here on this occasion to commemorate with us his 50th birthday has brought us closer to each other and helped us to better understand his words. It is important that we understand that we now live in a world house; that we have inherited a great world house and that we have no alternative but to live together in this house as brothers, or we will perish together. Many of you came early enough to participate with us in the other as­ pects of our annual programme of the Martin Luther King Junior Center for Social Change. We are developing a Center dedicated to the life and contributions of Martin. This Center has a programme, and a large part of this programme is dedicated to help understand the philosophy, the teach­ ings, the strategies and the social change that Martin initiated; and to ex­ tend them the length and breadth of our nation and throughout the world. We also feel that it is important for us to be involved, as Martin was, not just in talking about the dream, but to work to make the dream a reality.

II. Messages received by the Special Commillee

Message from H. E. Mr. J. R. Jayewardene, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

"On the occasion of the special session of the Special Committee against Apartheid, Sri Lanka wishes to associate h~rself w_ith_ the high ideals of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who dedicated his hfe to the elimination of racial injustice, poverty and discrimination. He believed that the final phase of the struggle of the racially oppressed people, par- 56 ticularly in southern Africa is now reaching its final goal. We look forward to the total elimination of colonialism and racism in Namibia. "I wish the special session every success and deeply regret my inability to be present personally."

Message from H.E. Mr. Pham Van Do11R, Prime Minister ,f the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

"The people and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam warmly welcome the initiative taken by the Special Committee against A!'artheid to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Martin Luther King's birthday. The name of Martin Luther King is closely associated with the coloured American people's valiant struggle against racism. Furthermore, the Vietnamese people highly esteem him and are grateful to him for his support to our past patriotic struggle against United States imperialists' aggression. The commemoration of Martin Luther King's birthday will further encourage the world people in their struggle against apartheid and all other forms of racism."

Message from Mr. Francis Blanchard, Director-General, of the Interna­ tional Labour Office.

"On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I wish to associate the International Labour Office with your Committee and all those paying tribute to the important contri­ bution made by Dr. King to the struggle for the elimination of racial dis­ crimination and for the achievement of equal rights throughout the world. In fulfillment of its basic principles the International Labour Office reaffirms its determination to work with Governments, employers, and workers organizations to eradicate apartheid and all forms of discrimina­ tion."

Message from Mr. Yves Lambert, Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization.

''On the occasion of the world-wide observance of the fiftieth ~irthday of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I wish to pay tnbu_te to his great and courageous _contribution to ~h~,Promotion of human nghts and the elimination of racism and apartheid. 57 Mes.rnRe fi·om the British Anti-Apartheid Mo1·e111e11t, Lo11do11

"Regret unable participate special session United Nations Special Committee Stop Send greetings to participants on anniversary fiftieth birthday Martin Luther King Stop Pledge to remember this great fighter against racism and injustice by redoubling our solidarity with the op­ pressed peoples of southern Africa Stop'·

Mes.rnge.fi-lnn Mr. Otto Kersten, General Secretary, <~{the International C01~{"ederatio11 qf Free Trade U11io11s, Brussels.

"On the occasion of the fiftieth birthday of the late Reverend Dr. Mar­ tin Luther King, Jr. the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, representing over sixty million workers the world over pays the highest tribute to an outstanding man and champion of civil and human rights who dedicated his life to the cause of peace, justice and world-wide fellowship. International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, whose motto is bread, peace and freedom, does not spare any effort in the strug­ gle for trade union rights knowing that such rights cannot exist where human rights are violated. Hence our fullest commitment to the fight against apartheid and discrimination in all its forms for a better world for all."

Message from the Secretariat of the Women's International Democratic Federation, Berlin, German Democratic Republic.

"Women's International Democratic Federation welcomes the special session on the fiftieth birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. a great fighter for equality and justice against all forms of racial discrimination. "During the International Year of the Child, the Women's International Democratic Federation and national organizations will intensify efforts to ensure all children can grow up in peace, free from apartheid and all forms of racism and racial discrimination.''

Message from Mr. Jan Kulakowsi, General Secretary, of the World Con­ federation of Labour (W.C.L.), Brussels

"The World Confederation of Labour joins in the homage payed by the

58 United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid to Martin Luther King on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his birth. "The person and the action of Martin Luther King are and always will be a source of inspiration and a stimulus for those fighting against all forms of racism, discrimination and injustice, and especially against apar­ theid, the most flagrant and odious expression of racism of our times. "Most of the 15 million members of the W.C.L., an international trade union confederation established in five continents, live in the third world. And the W .C.L. has placed the struggle against apartheid at the very top of its list of objectives. Those who, like Martin Luther King and black militants in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, have given theirlives for this cause, are guiding lights for the W.C.L., in its struggle. "In advocating the renovation of the world trade union movement, the W.C.L. hopes to step up this combat until the final victory is won. This commitment is the best possible tribute that it can pay to the memory of Martin Luther King."

59 List<~{ Participauts Secretary-General H. E. Dr. Kurt Waldheim United Nations Special Committee aiainst Apartheid Chairman: H. E. Mr. Leslie 0. Harriman (Nigeria) Algeria Mr. Abdelhamid Semichi German Democratic Mr. Gerhard Schroter Republic Ghana H. E. Mr. Alex Quaison-Sackey, Ambassador to the United States (representing Head of State) Mr. Kwadwo Faka Nyamekye Guinea H. E. Mr. Sekou Yansane Haiti H. E. Mr. Serge Elie Charles (Vice Chairman) Hungary Mr. Adras Halasz Mr. Laszlo Hadas India H. E. Mr. Rikhi Jaipal (Representing Prime Minister) Mr. P.J. Rao (Rapporteur) Indonesia H. E. Mr. Chadir Anwar Sani Mr. Wisher Loeis Malaysia Miss Sook Lei Leong Nepal Dr. Mohan Lohani Nigeria H. E. Mr. 0. Jolaoso (Representing Head of State) Mr. 0. S. Fisher Peru Mr. Jose Urrutia Philippines Mr. Ariel Abadilla Somalia H. E. Mr. Abdirizak Haji Hussen Sudan Mr. Mohamed Adam Osman Syrian Arab Republic Mr. Loutf Haydar Trinidad and Tobago Mrs. Leonore Sylvia Dorset Ukrainian Soviet H. E. Mr. Vladimir N. Martynenko Socialist Rep. (Vice-Chairman) (Also Chairman of Group of Eastern European States at the United Nations) Mr. Boris Komeyenko

60 Member States Austria Mr. Walter Bunzl, Consul-General in Atlanta Miss Gabriel Holzer, First Secretary, Embassy in Washington Belgium Mr. F. van Brusselen, Consul-General in Atlanta Bulgaria Mr. Neytcho Neychev, Counsellor Canada Mr. A. D. Ross, Consul-General in Atlanta Cuba H. E. Mr. Rafael Pita Astudillo, Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Mr. Bernardo Del Junco Gonzalez Mr. Jesus Montpellier Perez Egypt H. E. Dr. A. E. Abdel Meguid (Chairman of Group of African States) Mr. M. K. Abdel Fattah Germany, Federal Republic of Dr. Ernst lngendaay, Consul-General in Atlanta Greece Mr. Vassilios Eikosipentarchos, Consul in New Orleans Grenada H. E. Mr. George A. Griffith (Chairman of Group of Latin American States at the United Nations) Guyana Mr. Henry Douglas, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Re­ public of Guyana to the United Nations Ivory Coast Mr. Pierre Yere, Second Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the Ivory Coast to the United Nations Japan H. E. Mr. Isao Abe (Chairman of Group of Asian States at the United Nations) Mr. Y. Miyamoto Liberia Mr. Molivee A. Perry, Counsellor Netherlands Euro- H. E. Mr. Hugo Scheltema (Chairman of Group of WeS tern pean and other States at the United Nations) 61 Norway H. E. Mr. Knut Frydenlund, Foreign Minister (representing Prime Minister) H. E. Mr. Tom Vraalsen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations Mr. Bj!)rn Skogmo, Personal Assistant to the Foreign Minister. Poland Dr. Zdsislaw Nicinski, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Polish People's Republic to the United Nations Sierra Leone H. E. Mr. George Gelaga-King, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations Sweden H. E. Mr. Ola Ullsten, Prime Minister H. E. Mr. Anders Thunborg H. E. Mr. Leif Leifland, Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs H. E. Count Wilhelm Wachtmeister, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States of America Mr. Lars Arno Mr. Bo Heineback Mr. Mats Gullers Tunisia Mr. Mohamed Bachrouch, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Tunisia to the United Nations United Kingdom Mr. David Crawford, Consul-General in Atlanta Union of Soviet Socialist Republics H. E. Y. E. Fokine, Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Mr. Yuri Y. Belobrov United Republic of Tanzania H. E. Mr. Paul Bomani, Ambassador to the United States (repre- senting Head of State) Zaire H. E. Mr. M. Kabeya wa Mukeba Zambia Mr. Tens Chisola Kapoma, First Secretary (Political Affairs), Per­ manent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations.

62 Non-Member States Holy See Dr. Francis Norman, President St. Saviours University, New Orleans

United Nations Secretariat Executive Office of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ferdinand Mayrhofer-Grunbuhel, Deputy Director

United Nations Centre against Apartheid Mr. Enuga S. Reddy, Director Mr. Abdennour Abrous, Chief, Section for Publicity against Apar­ theid Mr. Burenjargal Orso, Secretary, Special Committee against Apar­ theid Mr. Ibrahim Noor, Deputy Secretary, Special Committee against Apartheid Mrs. Hazel Ferreira, Secretary Mrs. Ann Gallagher-Artis

United Nations Department of Public Information Mrs. Marcia Cooper Pinchas, Senior Reporter/Writer Mr. Robert Pfeiffer, Chief, News and Central Programme Section

Office of General Services Mr. Joseph Davis, Field Operations Service Mrs. Gail. Grossman Miss Marguerite Malcolm

Specialized Agencies Food and Agriculture Organization . . Mr. Charles H. Weitz, representative at the Umted Natwns United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Ms. H. Challenor, representative in Washington United Mr. Doudou Diene, Deputy Director, UNESCO Office at the Nations

63 World lntellcct11al Propaty Orua11i-:.atio11 Mrs. K. L. Liguer-Laubhouet, Deputy Director-General

/11 tcrg1J\ ·cm111c11wl Or,:ani-:.a tim1.1· European Eco110111ic Co1111111111ity Mr. Wouter Van Ringelstein, First Secretary, Delegation of the Commission of the European Communities to the United Nations N,m Gm·emme11tal-Or,:a11i::,atio11s Christian Peace Conference, Rev. Lubomir Mirejovsky, Prague General-Secretary Lawyers' Committee for Civil Mr. Millard Arnold, Director for Rights Under Law, Washington Southern African Project D.C. Lutheran World Federation Dr. Paul Wee, General-Secretary, Lutheran World Ministries World Peace Council Mr. Romesh Chandra, President General F. Da Costa Gomez (Portugal) Mr. James Lamond, M. P. (United Kingdom) Mr. V. Matveiev (USSR) Mr. Karol Malcuzynski (Poland) Mr. Eduardo Fara (Mexico) Mr. Mazen Hussein (Director ofln­ formation Centre) Mrs. Karen Talbot (United States) Womens' International League for Mrs. Katherine L. Camp, Interna­ Peace and Freedom tional President South African Non-Racial Olympic Mr. Dennis Brutus, President Committee Liberation Movements African National Congress of Rev. Gabriel Seteloane South Africa Mr. Johnston Makatini, rep­ resentative at the United Nations

64 Pan Africanist Congress of Dr. Erett Radebe, Director of Azania Finance Mr. David Sibeko, Director for Foreign Affairs and rep­ resentative at the United Nations Individuals especially invited The Reverend Canon L. John Collins, President, International De­ fence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa, London Mr. Romesh Chandra, President, World Peace Council

65 36383-January 1980-5M