Anti-Apartheid Movement

Anti-Apartheid Movement 13 Mandela Street, London NW10DW. Tel: 071 387 7966. Fax: 071 388 0173 NC/JLY 93/2 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE 24TH APRIL. CONGRESS HOUSE PRESENT Individuals: R Hughes (Chair), A Minty, M Terry, B Switzer, J. Lestor, M Ling(& MAC), M Sparham, A Kruthoffer, C Burford(& Haringey), C Gurney, M Malik, D Kenvyn(& Redbridge), M Malik, C Adkins, H Kimble, I Stuart, A Barrett(& Tyneside), R Harris Local Groups & Regional Committees: Aberdeen AA: B O'Hare, Southampton AA: D Smith, Scottish Committee: B Filling, SW Region: D Starrs, Oxford AA: I Longworth, Nottingham: M Oidham, Exeter and District AA: J Saleem, Birmingham AA: A Chaffer, Bristol AA: D Spurgeon, Lewisham AA: C Duah, Bath AA: I Roker, Haringey AA: S O'Donovan, Colchester AA: J Plummer, Cardiff AA: C Haswell Voting Organisations: UNA:R Karesh, NUCPS: N Bellamy, MAC: P Brayshaw, NSC: J Silvester, C Fowler, ASLEF: T West Observer Organisations: LAAA: N Roy, BDAF A Maseko Guest: Mr Mendi Msimang, NEC of ANC Staff in attendance: G Omasta-Milsom, C McMaster, R Dadoo 1.00 APOLOGIES: Bishop Huddleston, GPMU: Brian Willoughby, Methodist Church: Rachel Stephens, Rt Rev Wilfred Wood, Hugh Bayley MP, Wessex Regional Committee, AA, Camden AA, Kingston & Sutton AA, Hanif Bhamjee, Vella Pillay, Rachel Jewkes, Richard Caborn, Mike Pye, Dave Crane. Bob Hughes opened the meeting by apologising for the change of time and venue of the National Committee meeting due to the memorial meeting for Chris Hani taking place the same afternoon at Congress House. He announced the sad news of the death of Oliver Tambo earlier that morning and it was agreed that the AAM's condolences be conveyed to the ANC and to the Tambo family. In answer to a request he was sure that the ANC would open a book of condolences for Oliver Tambo's friends in London to sign. A minutes silence was held in memory of Oliver Tambo and Chris Hani. 2.00 MINUTES OF NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEETING 27/2/93 It was noted that Munir Malik was not minuted as present at the last NC meeting. The minutes (NC/FEB 93/2) were agreed as a correct record with the above amendment. 3.00 MATTERS ARISING FROM NC METING 27/2/93 3.01 Twinning Seminar It was noted that the twinning seminar which had been scheduled to take place that morning had been FOR FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA postponed to the Chris Hani memorial. It was agreed to reschedule it for the morning of the July 10th NC meeting. 3.02 Trade Union Work It was reported that the trade union seminar had been postponed as a date proposed was not suitable for COSATU. The AAM trade union committee had not yet agreed on a new date. 3.03 LAAA It was reported that the conference held in Manchester had been very successful and well organised. The first meeting of the new National Steering Committee was to take place in Islington. It was agreed to send the list of participants to local groups. Gerard Omasta-Milsom was thanked for his help. Brian Filling reported that the ANC had suggested the postponed visit of to Glasgow might now take place in early July and the Scottish Committee was now awaiting confirmation. 3.04 Pilatus The importance of this potential breach of the UN arms embargo was stressed. The meeting agreed that the EC, in consultation with the World Campaign should take all necessary initiatives in order to prevent the export of the Pilatus aircraft to the SAAF. 3.05 BSC Education Conference It was reported that about 30 people attended. A full report would be available from the Black Solidarity Committee. 3.06 Study GrouD Helen Kimble raised the question of financial support for the Study Group. Mike Terry reported that it had already been agreed to meet the costs concerned. It was reported that Mendi Msimang and Abdul Minty would not be able to attend the meeting until 12.45 and therefore it was suggested that item 4.00 be postponed until their arrival. It was agreed to move on to item 5.00. 5.00 ANGOLA: Peter Brayshaw gave a background to the current situation in Angola which is very bleak in terms of numbers of people killed and displaced and facing disease and starvation. He noted that the international community had not translated its verbal condemnation of UNITA into deeds for instance UN resolution 811 which was adopted in March expressed condemnation of UNITA but has not resulted in isolation or sanctions. The American government also had not honoured its pre-election promise to recognise the Angolan government. This is despite Congress adopting a resolution urging immediate recognition. Peter Brayshaw then gave a report back from the last meeting of the Angola Emergency Campaign. The AEC petition so far has collected 3,600 signatures. He asked for all petitions to be returned by Tuesday as they would be handed in to Lynda Chalker at the Foreign Office on Wednesday 28th. Donations so far totalled £1,000 which would be used for medical aid. A campaign postcard should be available by the end of next week and an A4 leaflet and fact sheet on the current situation are planned. The AEC will chase up organisations who are sympathetic but have not yet become participating organisations. There will be a national mobilising conference on Angola on 22nd May. In discussion it was explained that the petition concentrated on humanitarian issues as it was designed to complement the petition organised before Christmas. It was intended that the leaflet and fact sheet would address the political issues. In answer to a question about what parliamentary work had been done so far it was reported that Bob Hughes had led the delegation which had met with Lynda Chalker,parliamentary questions had been tabled and an Early Day Motion had been tabled and signed by at least 50 MP's. However it was still necessary to put pressure on local MP's to take up the issue. It was reported that Michael Meacher was due to visit Angola and it was hoped that on his return he would assist in raising the profile of Angola. It was also stressed that it was important to write to MP's, government ministers, the US embassy etc to keep up the pressure. It was noted that another priority was media coverage. It was agreed to encourage members to complain to the media over poor coverage of Angola. Peter Brayshaw summed up and urged local groups to attend the conference. Bob Hughes asked the meeting if item 6.00 could be postponed as Suresh Kamath was hoping to be able to attend for this item. It was agreed to move on to item 7.00. 7.00 PREPARATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOUTRERN AFRICA. JUNE 14/15 Mike Terry drew the meetings attention to the draft brochure and programme for the International Conference which had been circulated to the NC. He gave an update on other arrangements for the Conference. He explained that Bishop Huddleston and Mwalimu Nyerere had met in Geneva the previous week and it was felt that good progress was being made in preparation for the Conference. Sadly the death of Oliver Tambo will be a great blow for both the Convenors, particularly as they had been looking forward to him opening the Conference. The Programme for the Conference which had been circulated was in draft form. The acceptances to address and chair the Conference received so far were most encouraging and it seemed that there would be an impressive line up of contributors. The National Committee would all be formally invited to attend the Conference. Mike Terry also reported that there was a proposal to have a day of Workshops on the Sunday prior to the Conference which would provide a framework for discussion of new areas of solidarity involving ngos from Southern Africa coming to the Conference as well as overseas AAM's who may arrive early for the Conference. There was then a discussion during which a number of issues were raised. Firstly in relation to the £25.00 registration fee it was suggested that this may be underpricing the event. It was proposed that there be a two rate pricing system so that organisations/corporate bodies paid more than individuals. Regarding participation at the Conference members of the NC and local aa groups were asked to make suggestions concerning potential invitees, such as academics, trade unionists, etc. In relation to the funding of the event it was noted that the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid were making a grant towards the costs and that other sources of income were being investigated. Andile Maseko said that BDAF welcomed the Conference and looked forward to participating. In answer to a question Mike Terry said it was hoped that Norman Willis would be able to attend the Conference although he had to be in Geneva the day before and that invitations to the international trade union community were going to be sent out. Mike Terry also reported that it was hoped that one of the South African participants, such as Frank Chikane, would be able to come to Britain to address the National ARA demonstration on the Saturday immediately prior to the Conference. Mike Terry summarised the discussion and also reminded the NC to send in their requests for tickets for the Trevor Huddleston 80th Birthday Tribute as soon as possible. 8.00 SANCTIONS It was reported that Mike Terry had met with Dave Craine of ELTSA and Chris Burford of the CBU to discuss the question of priorities for action around sanctions and economic campaigns in the light of the last discussion at the NC. It was noted that the February NC had discussed the ANC resolution on sanctions adopted by the February NEC and had agreed that an AAM statement should be prepared and published aimed at addressing a British audience. The EC had therefore agreed an AAM statement ( NC/APR 93/3) which was released at end of March just prior to the re-opening of negotiations. It had been circulated to the NC and local aa groups. But it was intended to reproduce it in a more readable format including the ANC resolution as an appendix. It was felt that it was particularly important to assert sanctions pressure in the wake of Chris Hani's death. on the issue of debt rescheduling, Chris Burford stressed that the CBU and ELTSA felt that the most successful way of continuing the campaign would be to ask for banks not to agree any rescheduling until a TEC was in position. This would solve the problem of banks agreeing a repayment plan with the current regime which might only come into effect when an ANC led government was in place. It would also aim to put pressure on the urgent need for a TEC to be established. If the ANC was in agreement, the CBU felt this would be a very important issue to campaign on. In discussion clarification was sought on the position of the AAM regarding the co-op movements policy on sanctions. It was stated that one co-op claimed to have been told by the AAM office that sanctions 'do not matter very much now'. Mike Terry added that the CWS had claimed that they had the approval of the ANC when taking their decision which was not the case. It was also stated that the co-op was claiming to have a letter from Thabo Mbeki which advised them that the boycott is over. Mike Terry agreed to take up the matter with Mendi Msimang if he was provided with a copy of the letter. On the point of coal sanctions it was noted that the Trade Union Committee would be discussing this with the NUM. Although coal imports from South Africa seem to have dropped, it was still important to maintain the boycott. It was noted that Oxfam were having a conference this week on 'fair trade' and that there was potential for AAM involvement in the campaign with a view to economic solidarity with a future South Africa. 6.00 HON'TREASURER'SREPORT (NC/APR 93/16) Mike Terry gave the report in place of both Richard Caborn who was in Sheffield on constituency business and Suresh Kamath who had agreed to deputise for him. He outlined the revised budget plans for next year which depended on generating a surplus in order to prepare for a loss of income when ANC election fundraising gets underway. Inorderto generate a £36,000 surplus, £130,000 needs to be raised in the next three months. As income in the first three months of the year was down, May and June need to bring in £75,000. Money for the Emergency Fund is still coming in; the Raffle is estimated to reach £15,000 by the end of June; Mike Terry's target for the Freedom Run sponsorship is £5,000 and Trevor Huddleston's 80th Birthday Appeal is underway. This means that it should be possible to reach £115,000 if not the target of £130,000. It was noted that the balance sheet showed that there is a small amount of cash assets remaining if debtors were paid off and creditors paid up. This was a better situation than previously and would ensure a financial basis for whatever future the movement decided to take. The EC and Finance Committee had agreed on an interim budget at the end of March which was set out in the appendix of the report. This provided for a break even budget for 1993-4 but this was based on generating a surplus this year. It was being proposed that this be agreed on an interim basis and that final decisions on the budget would await the July NC meeting when it would be clear if the movement is on target for the surplus. Therefore the proposal of the Honourary Treasurer was to ask the NC to receive the report noting the budget, prioritise fundraising over the next months and refer the budget to the July NC for adoption. It was agreed to receive the report (NC/APR 93/16) as Richard Caborn outlined. Appreciation was expressed for the work of Joy Anagarn and Marc Green and all the staff involved in finance and fundraising. 4.00ASSASSINATION OF CHRISHANIAMDOTHRRDEVRTPNEN-SINSOXjf Mendi Msimang gave a report of the situation in South Africa following the assassination of Chris Hani and explained the immense task facing the ANC in fighting for *free and fair' elections. He appealed for helpfromtheAAM andthe International Community, both financially and in terms of monitoring the election process. Abdul Minty gave a personal account of having been in South Africa to attend the funeral of Chris Hani. He emphasised the exemplary way in which the ANC responded to the provocation of the assassination. He urged people outside of South Africa to keep informed of the ANC's activities and positions as the media is keen to create an imbalanced picture of events there. In discussion it was noted that complaints should be made to the BBC, especially to black governors, and other media when misrepresentative broadcasts were made. Mike Terry also noted that the British government has been very reluctant to issue any statement on the current crisis in South Africa and local groups were urged to ask their MP's to sign the early day motion on the death of Chris Hani. Mike Terry then introduced a short paper on campaign plans (NC/APR 93/17). He explained that the proposals in the paper had not been discussed yet by the EC and were ideas from the office on possible emergency campaigning plans. He went through the specific points. i) It was suggested to designate May a month of action for Peace, Freedom and the Vote in South Africa. May day events could be used by local groups to launch the campaign. ii) Model letters and resolutions had been drafted and comments were welcomed on both of these. These could be used in particular at trade union conferences coming up in the weeks ahead. iii) It was suggested that a demonstration be agreed in principle to take place on a Sunday in June to avoid clashing with other organisations activities. It was felt that July would be too late for an emergency response. iv) It was proposed to call for a day of action on a Saturday during May. There was then a lengthy discussion around these proposals. There was general agreement with them and after a debate it was decided that the day of action should be 15 May despite the fact that this coincided with the FA Cup Final. In relation to the demonstration members of the NC were urged to consult urgently over this proposal but that if it were to take place then 20th June was the preferred date. The EC were authorised to prioritise this campaign. 9.00SOUTH AFRICA' S N APOLIc Due to time restrictions this item was left for the July NC meeting but pending this the EC should take appropriate action in consultation with the World Campaign. 1. It was noted that John Hughes had been appointed to the post of Research and Information Officer. 2. The 80th Birthday Tribute for Trevor Huddleston was to take place on Monday 14th June and ticket request forms had gone out to all members. 3. The verbal report on the World in Action programme broadcast on Monday about the activities of neo-facist groups in Britain and featuring the AAM was given under AOB. The report to the National Committee (NC/APR 93/19) was accepted. 11.0 The Credentials Committee Report was agreed. There was a brief discussion concerning security in the light of recent events and it was agreed that the EC should take appropriate action as well as consulting with the ARA.