Rajiv Gandhi on Africa
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Rajiv Gandhi on Africa http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.SFF.DOCUMENT.esrind00007 Use of the Aluka digital library is subject to Aluka’s Terms and Conditions, available at http://www.aluka.org/page/about/termsConditions.jsp. By using Aluka, you agree that you have read and will abide by the Terms and Conditions. Among other things, the Terms and Conditions provide that the content in the Aluka digital library is only for personal, non-commercial use by authorized users of Aluka in connection with research, scholarship, and education. The content in the Aluka digital library is subject to copyright, with the exception of certain governmental works and very old materials that may be in the public domain under applicable law. Permission must be sought from Aluka and/or the applicable copyright holder in connection with any duplication or distribution of these materials where required by applicable law. Aluka is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to creating and preserving a digital archive of materials about and from the developing world. For more information about Aluka, please see http://www.aluka.org Rajiv Gandhi on Africa Author/Creator Gandhi, Rajiv Publisher External Publicity Division, Ministry of External Affairs (New Delhi) Date 1986 Resource type Pamphlets Language English Subject Coverage (spatial) India, Southern Africa (region), South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Tanzania, United Republic of, Zimbabwe Coverage (temporal) 1985 - 1986 Description Includes speeches by Rajiv Gandhi on his visit to Africa in 1986. Format extent 49 pages (length/size) http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.SFF.DOCUMENT.esrind00007 http://www.aluka.org "The end of the era of Apartheid is imminent. The only question is whether the end will come in explosion of violence and a welter of bloodshed, or whether hundreds of thousands of innocent lives can still be saved by a more peaceful transition to majority rule" - Rajiv Gandhi Address at the Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of Co-ordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Countries of Namibia Honourable Ministers, Heads of Delegations, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, More than a hundred nations are represented here today with one purposeto express solidarity with Namibia, that brave nation yearning for freedom. It is a great cause that brings us together, for the call of freedom is ever exciting and ennobling. The people of India are proud to play host to this meeting. On behalf of them all, I offer you a warm welcome. We specially value the presence in our midst of Mr. Sam Nujoma, President of the South-West African People's Organisation and the true voice of Namibia. We greet him warmly. India, may I say, has always felt close to Africa. For centuries ships plied between our coasts and built up links of commerce and culture. Colonialism, which was a curse on both of us tied our political fates closer together. Mahatma Gandhi symbolised this connection. It was in the laboratory of South Africa that he forged that priceless political weapon, non-violent mass action, with which he lter won freedom for India. A few days from now, in Bandung, a meeting is being held to mark the 30th anniversary of the Afro-Asian Conference of 1955. What Jawaharlal Nehru had said at Bandung three decades ago rings in my ears today. "There will be no yes- men any longer in Asia and Africa", he declared. About Africa he said: "There is nothing more terrible than the infinite tragedy of Africa in the past few hundred years." This tragedy continues. Even though country after country has won political freedom in Africa since Bandung, the consequences of the brutal economic exploitation and the long suppression of the human spirit persist. The drought and famine, the suffering and death that afflict large parts of Africa today are not the result of the unkindness of weather alone or the incapacity of Governments, but the continuing consequences of the structural imbalances imposed by colonialism. They have been aggravated by the policies adopted by the powerful to prevent many newly free countries from becoming economically viable. The colonialist attitude of plunder has not disappeared. If anything, there is a new emphasis on grabbing strategic materials. Besides, in Namibia as well as South Africa, there is the direct affront of racialism. For all of us of the Non-aligned Movement, the historical battle against colonialism continues. Two years ago in this very hall, in the Seventh Non-aligned Summit we declared its support for the Namibian people. We solemnly reaffirm it today. It is now more than 100 years since imperialism first cast its covetous eyes on Namibia from across Luderitz Bay. Since the end of the First World War, South Africa has tried directly or indirectly toannex South-West Africa and make it its fifth provide. The ravages of "settler colonialism" imposed by South Africa in the lands under its military occupation are there for all to see. For close to 70 years since its seizure of Namibia, South Africa has practised unabashed deception and illegality. These moves were exposed and castigated first in the League of Nations, then at the United Nations, yet in clear violation of the mandate of the world community, the South African regime has fortified and militarised the territory. Today the regime's military buildup in Namibia has reached a new peak where there is one soldier for every 12 Namibians, perhaps a record in the history of colonialism. This military might is aimed at terrorising the Namibians into withdrawing their support to SWAPO and for aggressive strikes against neighbouring states. How has a minority regime defied the world community for so long and with such impunity? Because of open and hidden abetment from others. Some countries have sworn by racial equality with their left hand, but with their right hand supported the Pretoria regime. It is their continuing collaboration in the political, economic, military and nuclear fields that has reinforced South African belligerence. The world organisation has repeatedly asked for a boycott of the minority regime, but its wish has been repeatedly frustrated. We are advised to be realistic and constructive - good sentiments applied to an undeserving purpose. The involvement of important transnational corporations in the economy of racist South Africa and in Namibia is sought to be justified on grounds of benefits that accrue to the black populations there. In reality, the Africans are getting batons and bullets. The recent killings of innocent civilians in Uitenhage is another reminder that the racist rampage continues. Just a few years ago, Namibia's progress towards independence appeared so sure. Today it has become a casualty to power politics and multinationals' profit. In the process, the very credibility of the institution that had guaranteed this independence, the U.N. Security Council, has come under question. The issue now is whether a wronged and dispossessed people will be supported or deserted by the world body. It is thus a challenge to the United Nations. Will the U.N., now in its 40th year, fulfil its moral and political obligations or will military and economic might prevail over right? The responsibility of the United Nations for the independence of Namibia must once again be strongly affirmed. Proposals by South Africa to push the role of the United Nations to background must be resisted. This gathering of the Non-aligned Movement proclaims that Namibian independence is the direct obligation of the United Nations. The Security Council must seek new ways to enforce Resolution 435 (1978). That Resolution remains the only acceptable basis for a peaceful settlement of the question of Namibia. We oppose any effort to by-pass the U.N. and promote spurious schemes of internal settlement. The announcement of an interim Government in Namibia represents a brazen affront to the Namibian people, to SWAPO, indeed, to the entire international community. Is it mere coincidence that the South African authorities have been driven to take a step on the eve of the 25th anniversary of SWAPO which we are celebrating today in Delhi? The world can ill-afford to sit by the latest actions of South African regime. History has proved time and again the futility of such efforts to defy the will of the people. I suggest that this meeting should .send an urgent telegram to the President of the Security Council registering its strong condemnation of the illegal act of the minority Pretoria regime and calling upon the Council to meet urgently to reaffirm its commitment to an unqualified implementation of Resolution 435 of 1978. This is not a matter merely to be deplored but a question of the Council having to counter a challenge to its authority and credibility. Through twenty-five years of travail and tribulation, SWAPO has spearheaded the struggle of the Namibian people. We salute SWAPO for the courage and singlemindedness of its brave warriors. Under Mr. Nujoma's inspiring leadership SWAPO has shown farsightedness, determination and resilience in its political diplomatic responses. It has striven to promote a negotiated settlement of the Namibian question. This attitude has been in contrast to the duplicity and intrigue of the minority regime in South Africa. The latest turn in Pretoria's game is the attempt to set up a "transitional government", with a so-called 'Multi-Party Conference', indeed to fabricate possibilities of unilateral declaration of independence on the part of this puppet body. We must not let this pass. SWAPO is the sole, authentic representative of the Namibian people. It must receive greater political support as well as more tangible material assistance in pursuing its struggle. Today we observe the 25th anniversary of the establishment of SWAPO.