sign in sign up
<<
Home , Conakry

Mission of the Special Committee Against Apartheid to London, , and , 27 January - 9 February

http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.SFF.DOCUMENT.nuun1976_11

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 Mission of the Special Committee Against Apartheid to London, Cairo, Accra and Conakry, 27 January - 9 February

Alternative title Notes and Documents - United Nations Centre Against ApartheidNo. 10/76 Author/Creator United Nations Centre against Apartheid Contributor Cisse, Jeanne-Martin Publisher United Nations, New York Date 1976-04-00 Resource type Reports Language English Subject Coverage (spatial) South , United Kingdom, , , Coverage (temporal) 1976 Source Northwestern University Libraries Description Extracts from report by H.E. Madame Jeanne-Martin Cisse (Guinea), Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid on the mission to London, Cairo, Accra and Conakry. Statement at a meeting of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and other organizations at the House of Commons, London, 28 January 1976. Annex I. Joint press statement issued by the Chairman of the Special Committee and the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, London, 28 January 1976. Annex II. Joint press statement issued by the Chairman of the Special Committee and the Secretary-General of the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization, Cairo, 31 January 1976. Annex III. Joint press statement by the Chairman of the Special Committee and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Cairo, 31 January 1976. Annex IV. Joint communique by the Chairman of the Special Committee and the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Trade Union' Unity, Accra, 4 February 1976. Format extent 20 page(s) (length/size)

http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.SFF.DOCUMENT.nuun1976_11

http://www.aluka.org NOTES AND DOCUMENTS*

NOTES AND DOCUMENTS* April 1976 MISSION OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE AGAINST APARTHEID TO IONDON, CAIRO, ACCRA AND CONAKRY (27 January - 9 February) Statements by the Chairmans H.E. Mme. Jeanne-Martin Ciss6 (Guinea) ,,1j' -i '.1 L ~ No. 10/76 76-OT86i * All material in these notes and documents may be freely reprinted. Acknowledgement, together with a copy of the publication containing the reprint, would be appreciated.

CONTENTS Page Extracts from report by H.E. Madame Jeanne-Martin Ciss6 (Guinea), Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid on the mission to, London Cairo-, Accra and ...... Conakry ...... Statement at a meeting of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and other organizations at the House of Commons, London, 28 January 1976 ...... Annex I. Joint press statement issued by the Chairman of the Special Committee and the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, London, 28 January 1976 Annex II. Joint press statement issued by the Chairman of the Special Committee and the Secretary-General of the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization, Cairo, 31 January 1976 Annex III. Annex IV. Joint press statement by the Chairman of the Special Committee and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Cairo, 31 January 1976 Joint communique by the Chairman of the Special Committee and the Secretary- General of the Organization of African Trade Union; Unity, Accra, 4 February 1976 ......

EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT by H.E. Madame Jeanne Martin Cisse (Guinea), Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid on the mission to London Cairo, Accra and Conakry 27 January to 9 February 1976 On behalf of the Special Committee, I arrived in London on 27 January and on the same afternoon had an interview with the press and a meeting with the General Secretary of the Labour Party. Later in the evening, I travelled to Oxford University where I addressed the Africa Society of the University on "The United Nations and the liberation of southern Africa." In a meeting with Mr. Ron Hayward, General Secretary of the Labour Party, I explained the programme of work of the Special Committee and its determination to put an end to military, economic and other collaboration with . He commended the work of the Special Committee had informed me of the relevant decisions and actions by the Labour Party, adding that he would welcome any advice from the Special Committee regarding action on the problem. He stressed the importance of an oil embargo and wished me success in her consultations on the matter. On 28 January, I met with the officials of the International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa, which had always been strongly suppo-ted by the Special Committee and the liberation movements; Canon Collins, the Presideit of the Fund, who at the time was recovering from an operation, hame down to greet me, in a touching demonstration of appreclation for the Committee's work. They explained the work of the Fund in assisting political prisoners and their families in South Africa and in publicizing the situation in South Africa and arousing the conscience of the world. I then visited the office of the Anti-Apartheid Movement where I met with its officials and was interviewed by the BBC. At lunch afterwards, I had an opportunity to talk with leaders of the Anti-Apartheid Movement, the liberation movements, the South African Congress of Trade Unions, the Solidarity Committee and other organizations and to have an informal exchange of views. Immediately thereafter, I was received by Mr. Sridath S. Ramphal, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth - an old friend who had part ipated in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid in the United Nations, the non-aligned movement and other forums and his colleagues. He told me that the Commonwealth FSecretariat attached great importance to the work of the Special Committee and appreciated her visit, and pointed out that many of the 35 States members of the Commonwealth were from Africa, Asia -nd the Caribbean and were strongly committed to the struggle against apartheid. Mr. Ramphal drew my attention to the important decisions taken by the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government at their conference in Kingston in May 1975 and assured me that the Commonwealth Secretariat would continue to make the u aximum contribution possible to the struggle against apartheid. Later in the afternoon of 28 January, I was received by Mr. David Ennals, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, a former Chairman of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and a brother of the current Chairman. I informed Mr. Ennals about the programme of work of the Special Committee and expressed the hope that it could count on the co-operation of the United Kingdom Government. He explained to me the attitude of the United Kingdom Government and assured me of his Government's co-operation in the light of its condemnation of apartheid and its solidarity with political prisoners in South Africa, although it had, of course, reservations regarding the application of Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter and the expulsion of South Africa from the United Nations. Later that day, I addressed a meeting arranged by Mr. Robert Hughes, a Y etber of Parliament and a leader of the Anti-Apartheid Movement, at the House of Commons. The meeting was attended by representatives of a large number of non-governmental organizations and liberation movements, as well as by Members of Parliament, diplomats and others, including Mrs. Joan Lester, Minister of Education and former Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who was still a member of the Anti-Apartheid Movement. My statement was fcllowed-by a useful discussion on ways of strengthening co-operation and speeding up the campaign against apartheid. At the meeting, the British AntiApartheid Movement released a new pamphlet entitled Apartheid: A Threat to Peace, by Mr. Abdul Minty, with an introduction by myself, which has already been published by the Centre against Apartheid at the Committee's request. The main purpose of this visit to London was to establish contact with all the organizations concerned with apartheid. This visit was very encouraging and I expressed appreciation to all those who had helped to make it fruitful, including Ambassadcr Ivor Richard, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, Mr. S.S. Ramphal, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, the Anti-Apartheid Movement; the International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa, the liberation movements and many others. In particular, I expressed appreciation to Mr. Michael Popovic, Acting Director of the United Nations Information Centre in London, and Mr. Abdul S. Minty, Honorary Secretary of the British Anti- Apartheid Movement. The next part of the mission was to Cairo, mainly for the purpose of consultations with the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization and the League of Arab States. I also had the honour of being receivefd by Mrs. Anwar Sadat and by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Egypt.

The Government and people of Egypt have long contributed to the struggle against apartheid and have co-operated with the Special Committee since its inception. Indeed, Egypt, together with Poland, had sponsored the very first resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly against racial discrimination as early as 1946, and had taken an active part in the debates on apartheid in the United Nations long before any of the African members of the Special Committee had become independent. As early as 1956-1957, the Government of Egypt provided offices, facilities and material assistance, to the African liberation movements and to the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization. On 31 May 1961, when the South African r~gime established a so- called "republic", the Government of Egypt, faithful to the decisions of the African States, closed its Legation in South Africa and broke. off all relations with that country. Egypt has supported and faithfully implements all United Nations resolutions against apartheid and, despite serious financial difficulties resulting from foreign aggression, continue. to provide assistance to African liberation movements and education facilities to South African refugees. I took the opportunity to convey the Committee's great appreciation to the Government and people of Egypt for their co-operation in the struggle against apartheid, both in meetings with Mrs. Sadat and the Foreign Minister and in interviews with the press and on radio and television. Mrs. Sadat and the Foreign Minister reaffirmed Egypt's determination to contribute actively to the liberation of the South African people from the yoke of racism and Mrs. Sadat had stressed the importance of personal contacts. The Foreign Minister had also informed me that the Government would seriously consider making a contribution to the Trust Fund for Publicity against Apartheid. I met most of the leaders of the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization (AAPSO) and, on 30 January, in the absenr e of its Secretary-Gen ral, was welcomed by Mr. Aziz Sherif, Minister of State of Iraq and Vice-Chatrman of AAPSO, who presided at a working luncheon with senior officials of the Secretariat. In the eveing, AAPSO arranged a reception at which I met representatives of liberation movements as well as of other organizaticns such as the Africa Society of Egypt, which was very active in support of the liberation struggle. On 31 January, at another meeting with Mr. Aziz Sherif and senior officials of 1.4SO, I again emphasized the great appreciation of the Special Committee for AAPSO's role in support of the struggle for liberation in South Africa and stressed the uz->d for ;redjter co-operation between AAPSO and the Special Committee, adding that co-oueration with public organinations was an important aspect of the Special Committee's programme of work. I then explained to them the work of the Committee and its plans for 1976.

The leaders of AAPSO expressed appreciation of the role of the Special Committee and assured me that AAPSO would continue to support the struggle for liberation in South Africa and southern Africa until imperialism and racism were completely eliminated. They outlined AAPSO's programme Df work, which included the convening of an internaticlal conference, in co-operation with the anti-imperialist movement in the Federal Republic of Germany and other international organizations, and the publication of a book on AAPSO and the struggle against apartheid. They requested that the Special Committee should help to facilitate travel by their representatives to the United Nations to attend meetings of the Special Committee and the General Assembly in order to develop an even closer relationship with the United Nations. I assured them that the Special Committee would be happy to take the necessary action. Later that day, upon his return to Cairo, Mr. Youssef El-Sebai, Secretary-General of AAPSO and Minister of Culture and Information of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, received me and paid a tribute to the work of the Special Committee and reaffirmed AAPSO's full support. The ceremony was televised and fully covered in the press. On 31 January, I was received by the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Mahmoud Riad, and his colleagues. I conveyed to him the Special Cornuittee's commendation of the role played by the League of Arab States and its members in the struggle against apartheid. After I explained the programme of work of the Special Committee, they discussed practical means for imposing an effective oil embargo against South Africa and I stressed the Committee's concern at the intensification of relations between South Africa and Israel and called for concerted action to discourage economic co-operation with South Africa. Mr. Riad, referring to the various decisions taken by the Arab League with regard to apartheid, said that it was not enough to take a position on the problem. Effective action was also needed. The Arab League would appreciate receiving any documentation from the Special Committee for circulation among its member States and would welcome regular contacts with the Special Committee. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Arab States to an oil embargo against South Africa and had described the practical problems of controlling the movements of tankers owned by multinational companies once they had left Arab ports. He urged the Special Committee to consult all other oil- producing States regarding the embargo.

-5 During the visit to Cairo, I was interviewed by the Egyptian radio, the newspaper Al Ahram and other newspapers, and there was extensive coverage by the media. I wish to thank most sincerely the Government of the Arab Republic of Egupt, AAPSO, the League of Arab States, the Ambassadors of India and of African States, and many others for making my visit to Cairo -most fruitful and inspiring. I am particularly grateful to Mr. Aziz Sherif, Mr. O.M. Paliwal and Miss Bahia of AAPSO, to Mr. Aly Khalil, Director of the United Nations Information Centre in Cairo, and to the Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations, Mr. Ahmed Abdel Meguid, for his assistance in making the detailed arrangements for the visit. Visiting Accra as Chairman of the Special Committee was a most moving experience. I recall that the South African r4gime had at the time tried to persuade the United Kingdom not to grant self-government to Ghana, then known as the Gold Coast, on the grounds that South Africa should be consulted on progress in Commonwealth countries in Africa. Ghana had been the first African country south of the Sahara to become independent after the birth of the United Nations and initiated the formation of the African Group at the United Nations in 1957 and taken over the leadership on the apartheid item, a burden which had been carried until then by the Asian and Arab States at the request of the liberation movements. May I recall too that the late President NTKwame N'Krumah had offered to exchange ambassadors with South Africa and that that offer had been rejected by the South African r4gime which did not want a black diplomat in South Africa. That fact should not be overlooked, especially at a time when the propaganda of the South African racist r6gime is trying in vain to gain credence for its so-called "policy of dtente." Ghana has always maintained that it would not be truly independent until the rest of Africa had been entirely freed from the colonial and racist yoke and it has consequently supported the African liberation movements. At the invitation of Ghana, several conferences of peoplr_,. -;- Governments of Africa ha-rebeen held at Accra, and at those conferences Ghana has played a crucial role in uniting Africa in its struggle against colonial and racist oppression. Ghana has also been one of the first countries to impose sanctions against South Africa at great sacrifice to itself. Not long after the ShR- peville massacre, when the South African liberation movement sent some of its leaders abroad to organize international support campaigns, it was Ghana which provided them with passport atnd all necessary assistance. Later, Ghana was to play a decisive role in the expulsion of South Africa from the Commonwealth in 1961 after the racist r~gime had set up a so-called republic by a decision of the white voters. It was in Accr±, in 1964, that the first international trade union conference again; t apartheid was held, and Ghana has been one of the first countries to set up a national committee against apartheid at the request of the General Assembly. May I also recall that it wasin Ghana that public opinion put an end to all talk of "dialogue" with the racists, after a brief aberration in the policy of its government, showing that even when African countries are detracted by weak leaders or neo-colonialist pressures, the unity of the African people will correct matters? Finally, may I recall that Ghana has suffered from imperialist blackmail for its loyalty to African freedom independance and progress in Africa, as has my own country. My visit to Accra gave me an opportunity to stress the positive contribution made by Ghana to the struggle against colonialism and apartheid. The fact that one hour after my arrival, I was received by the Head of State and Chairman of the Supreme Military Council, Colonel Ignatius Acheampong, is proof of the constant availability of the leaders of the country. President Acheampong listened attentively to my report on the activities of the Special Committee and its programme of work and assured me that Ghana not only condemned apartheid but also supported and would continue to support any action aimed at its total elimination. He also deplored the attitude of some Western Powers which sought friendship with Africa while continuing to provide material and moral support to Africa's worst enemy, the odious apartheid regime in South Africa. In calling on all freedom-loving countries to redouble their efforts for the abolition of apartheid,he said that a people could be subjugated only for a time but when the time came for it to take its rights ,there was no force in the world which could stop it. My visit to Accra was very full and included a working meeting with the Acting Foreign Minister (who later gave a dinner in honour of the delegation of the Special Committee), working meetings with leaders of non-governmental organizations such as the Organization of African Trade Union Unity, the All African Students Union, the Ghana National Committee against Apartheid, the Ghana United Nations Association, the Ghana United Nations Students Association, the Ghana Youth Council, the African Youth Command, the Student Movement for African Unity and the Ghana National Council on Women and Development. There was also a working meeting with the Chairman of the City Council of Accra and, during my stay in Accra, I granted several interviews to the press, radio and television. Not only was the Ghanian Government firmly committed to the liberation of the African continent, but public opinion in Ghana was also vigilant and determined to contribute to the victory of the liberation struggle. The extensive coverage of my visit by the media reflected public interest in the struggle against apartheid and admiration for the work of the Special Committee.

The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, and later the Minister himself, on his return to Accra, both assured/me that Ghana attached great importance to the work of the Special Committee and was prepared to help it in all possible ways. They reaffirmed that Ghana would continue to give active support to the forces fighting against apartheid. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Colonel Roger Felli, said at a dinner given in my honour on 5 February that the world was going through a crucial phase of its history marked by far-reaching changes out of which would emerge a new world civilization devoid of racial hatred and of exploitation of man by man. The Minister warned South Africa's trading partners that they would have to change their position before events took them unawares. He added that if those countries did not turn ove:' a new leaf, the revolution which was sweeping away all the injustices of the past would engulf them in one tragedy, arnd that the African States remained resolutely opposed to the South African regime and Ghana would ceaselessly work to turn the tables against South Africa's economic partners which were trying to thwart its efforts. He paid tribute to the Special Committee's efforts to awaken world public opinion to the odious system of the South African regime's policy of apartheid. On 4 and 5 February, I held detailed discussions with the leaders of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) aimed at ensuring greater co-ordination in the struggle against apartheid. On behalf of the Committee, I paid a special tribute to OATUU for its efforts to make all African countries observe the boycott of South Africa, for z-stane with regard to facilities for airlines and ships going to or returning frcm South Africa. Mr. J.D. Akumu, Secretary-General of OATUU, told me about the Programme of work of his organization with respect to the boycott of South Africa, and also informed me that OATUU planned to hold a conference in Dar es Salaam, probably in June prior to the OAU summit meeting in , and expressed the hope that the Special Committee would be represented at that conference. He suggested that the Special Committee and OATUU should co-operate in the following areas: (a) research and the periodic publication of information on all violations of sanctions, (b) the organization of joint meetings to plan action against South Africa, and (c) the dispatch of joint delegations to certain countries in Europe and Asia in order to discourage investment in South Africa and the recruitment of white workers by the South African r~gime. I assured Mr. Akumu that the Special Committee would give serious consideration to his suggestions. It may be recalled that the Ghana National Committee against Apartheid was established some years previously with the support of the Government and of many public organizations at a meeting in wU ch the farmer Secretary-General of the United Nations, the late U Thant, had participated. The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. David Acquah, briefed me on the Committee's activities in informing public opinion about apartheid and stressed the ties of friendship and co-operation which linked his Committee to the Special Committee against Apartheid. During discussions with non-governmental organizations and students, arranged by the Committee, I placed great stress on the importance which the Special Committee attached to their activities against apartheid.

Later that evening, I addressed a meeting organized by the African Youth Command, the All African Students' Union and several other youth and student organizations to express solidarity with the people of Angola. I informed the meeting of the Special Committee's condemnation of South Africa's aggression against Angola and its appeal for full support for SWAPO to assist it in putting an end to the illegal occupation of and for a total embargo on the sale of arms to South Africa. On 5 February, I had fruitful discussions with Justice Annie Jiagge and other leaders of the Ghana National Council on Women and Development. Justice Jiagge, who was recently elected Vice-Chairman of the World Council of Churches, said that if all the multinational companies would withdraw their investments from South Africa, as the World Council of Churches 1ad done, South Africa would be forced to. negotiate with the Africans. She also said that the Ghana National Council on Women and Development would be happy to work with the Special Committee. I made courtesy calls on the Chief Justice of Ghana and the Executive Chairman of the Accra City Council, and spoke at a meeting of the Ghana Trade Union Congress. The "r''retary-Gen-aral of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Issifu, said that the Congress recognized that the struggle against apartheid was not solely the responsibility of the people of South Africa and therefore decided to set up an anti-apartheid committee. I was later given the honour of being appointed an honorary member of the Ghana Trade Union Congress. In an editorial in its issue of 5 February, the Ghanaian Times welcomed the delegation of the Special Committee and had said th.:t the visit was taking place at a crucial time when sustained effort would inevitably lead to victory in the fight for racial equality, a fight in which the Special Committee played a very important role. The editorial concluded that the Ghanaian Times ch.rished the belief that the Chairman of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid would leave Ghana more determined than ever to continue its -oble work. I must say that I found a new source of encouragement in the Ghanaian Government and people and left the country profoundly convinced of the inevitability of victory against apartheid. I find it difficult to express my gratitude adequately to the Government of Ghana and the numerous organizations and information media in Ghana for their kindness and hospitality. I wish to express special appreciation to Mr. Akumu, Secretary-General of OATUU and Mr. David Acquah, Chairman of the Ghana National Committee against Apartheid, for their co-operation. I should also wish to thank Mr. Rana, Directcr of the United Nations Information Centre in Accra, and Mr. James Aggrey-Orleans, a former member of the Special Committee who is now Acting Directof of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for their invaluable assistance. Finally, I wish to express gratitude to my colleague and brother, Ambassador Frank Boaten, and his colleagues in the Permanent Mission of Ghana, for making the arrangements for her visit to Ghaua and for their assistance throughout my stay. I am sure that Ambassador Boaten's very laudable attitude is due not only to personal friendship but also and above all to his total commitment to the struggle against apartheid. From Accra, I proceded to Conakry, my own country, for the presentation of the Lenin Peace Prize, which I accepted in all modesty and with full awareness of the responsibility it involves. The presentation of the Lenin Peace Prize coincided with the celebration of Guinean Women's Day, which marked the twenty-first anniversary of the assassination of the national heroine, M'Balia Camara, by the colonialists. The ceremony was extremely moving and I was greatly touched by the telegram which the Chairman and members of the two Sub-Committees of the Special Committee sent me on the occasion on behalf of the Committee. I can only say now how very grateful I am for their confidence and friendship. In conclusion, in the light of the discussions I had during the mission, I wish to make fi-re suggestions. First, in view of the importance of the actual and potential contribution of the Arab States to the struggle against apartheid, I suggest that the Special Committee should invite the League of Arab States to be represented in the Committee by an observer. Secondly, the suggestion had been made during iry various consultaticns that the Special Committee should extend its consultations on the embargo on the sale of oil and petroleum products to South Africa by visiting the headquarters of the Organization of Petroleum- Exporting Countries and also by engaging in direct consultations with other oil- producing States, such as Iran, which provides substantial quantities of oil to South Africa, and countries such as Venezuela, which South Africa might approach as alternative sources of oil. I suggest that that proposal should be studied by the Working Group prior to discussion in the Special Committee. Thirdly, I wish to put forward the suggestion that the Working Group and the Secretariat should maintain close contact with the Organization of African Trade Union Unity and the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization, especially with regard to the conferences they are planning to hold, at which the Special Committee might consider being represented. Fourthly, in the light of my consultations, I think it would be useful for the Director of the Centre against Apartheid or the Secretary of the Special Committee to visit Cairo and Accra in due course to work out various practical arrangements concerning co-operation between the Committee and various organizations. In this connexion, I wish to suggest that the Working Group be authorized to look into that matter. And fifthly, I think that the Working Group should also be authorized to study the variou by the organizations I consulted.

- 10 - STATEMENT AT A MEETING OF THE ANTI-APARTHEID MOVEMENT AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, LONDON, 28 JANUARY 1976 The visits of the Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid to London, and the consultations with the organizations here, have become an annual event. London is very important to us not only because of the historic and current relations between South Africa and the United Kingdom, but also because of important activity of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement in the United Kingdom. Some years ago, a member of the British Government told the Special Committee that the House of Commons is itself a natibnal anti-apartheid committee. We do not quite accept that claim, but we are glad that there are many Members of Parliament who are uncompromising in their opposition to apartheid and who support the liberation movement. I would like to make a few brief introductory remarks on the situation in South Africa and United Nations action. I believe that the seven resolutions on apartheid which were adopted during the Thirtieth Session of the United Nations General Assembly were significant in advancing international-action against apartheid. I will refer to a few salient points of these resolutions. On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations, the General Assembly has proclaimed that the United Nations and the international community have a special responsibility to the oppressed people of South Africa and their liberation movements, and to the political prisoners in South Africa. You may recall that the United Nations had earlier accepted special responsibility only for the people of Namibia. We believe that this is an extremely important and solemn commitment as regards South Africa. We will need to translate it into practical measures in support of the liberation movement. These resolutions refer clearly to the objectives of the United Nations - defining them as the eradication of apartheid and the exercise of the right of self- determination by all the people of South Africa. This formulation has become imperative because of some confusion in the public mind. The problem is not merely some overt and superficial manifestations of apartheid - such as racial segregation in theatres and hotels - but racist domination in South Africa. Since the Government of South Africa was handed over * the white minority 66 years ago, and since a so-called "republic" was established by whites in 1961, the Black South African majority has been entirely excluded from participation in the determination of the destiny of the country. That is the main issue: all the people - blacks and whites - must be allowed to exercise the right of self-determination on the basis of human equality.

- 11 - We have always regarded South Africa as an' African State, but the r6gime in South Africa is not a legitimate African regime. We must stress this because of the efforts of the r~gime to create confusion. It has even tried to justify its aggression in Angola as intervention by an African State. Bantustans are the real essence of apartheid, much fIore important than the symbols such as the "whites only" aigns in South Africa. The South African regime wants to create these Bantustans to divide the African people and relegate them to small client States. By this means, it also wants to perpetuate racist domination and turn the ten million Africans outside the Bantustans into "aliens". With this strategy, the r6gime has tried to revive tribalism and has pressed some tribal chiefs to sign away the rights of the African people. Tribalism is the weapon which the colonialists have always tried to use against the national liberation movements in Africa. It is the weapon that Vorster and Smith are now trying to use. But they will not succeed in turning the clock back. The General Assembly has again categorically condemned the establishment of Bantustans and called on all governments and organizations not to accord any form of recognition to them. In this connexion, in the last few years. a number of Bantustan leaders have travelled abroad, acting as an advance guard for the Vorster regime. In fact, several of them are in London at this very time, and we are very concerned about this. If these Bantustan leaders are really concerned about their people, why are they not fighting discrimination in South 1 frica, or, at the very least, demanding more resources for the basic needs of their people from the Vorster r~gime? I am aware that some well-meaning people have suggested that there should be contact with the Bantustans because that is the only way to help the black people or because, they feel, some Bantustan leaders are really opposed to apartheid. But this is an utterly wrong approach and will be of no help to the African people. In calling for sanctions against South Africa, the United Nations has made an exception as regards humanitarian assistance to the victims of apartheid. It has helped and encouraged organizations to provide assistance to the political prisoners and their families. But we are totally against any help through the Pretoria regime or the Bantustan authorities or other apartheid institutions. In Africa, we have had the very sad experience of seeing millions of our people sold by tribal chiefs into slavery or to colonialism. Just when we are recovering independence of the continent after a long struggle, there is a new "sale" being negotiated by Vorster and the tribal chiefs in South Africa and Namibia. We remain convinced that it is of no help to Africans to deal with these chiefs, just because they happen to be black. The Special Committee was, therefore, concerned to hear that Oxfam, a reputable charitable organization here, has decided to channel some help through the Bantustans. We would welcome any further details on this matter.

- 12 The General Assembly has authorized the Special Committee to continue and intensify its consultations with governments and organizations in order to promote the international campaign against apartheid. It has specifically mentioned consultations with the non-aligned movement, trade unions, churches and student, ycuth and women's organizations. It has also decided to strengthen the Secretariat staff and to establish a "Centre against Apartheid" to emphasize the strong commitment of the United Nations to this struggle. The Special Committee has asked me to undertake this first mission for consultations in London, Cairo and Accra. In Cairo, I shall be consulting with the Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization and also with the Arab League, particularly on the possibilities of an effective oil embargo against South Africa. In Accra, I will be consulting with the Organization of All-African Trade Union Unity and the All-African Students' Union, among others. Other missions are also being planned, and, as you know, the Committee will be holding a seminar in Havana in May. Before concluding, I would like to say a few words on the present situation in South Africa, especially as regards South African aggression in Angola. The Special Committee is aware that there are differences of views on the situation in Angola, but we feel that the South African aggression is and should be treated as a separate matter because of its wider ramifications. South Africa has tremendously increased its military budget in the last two years, the same period when Vorster has been talking about detente. The aggression in Angola and the large-scale military activities in Namibia are a result of this. Secondly, South Africa is trying, apparently with some success, to use the situation in Angola to reinforce its links with some Western powers. It claims that it is acting for the so-called "free-world". Thirdly, South Africa is trying to act as a junior imperialist Power in southern Africa with the encouragement or the acquiescence of some other powers. Unless strong action is taken against South Africa now, the struggle for liberation in Namibia and in South Africa will become more complicated. The liberation movements in South Africa and Namibia and other democratic organizations in those countries are very well aware of this and they have categorically condemned this aggression. The failure of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Heads of States to formulate a resolution at the last session in has undoubtedly caused confusion. Some people are even gleefully predicting the collapse of the OAU. But I am confident that their predictions will prove to have been premature. The OAU has faced crises in the past and survived. African unity against colonialism and apartheid is a fact and it will prevail.

- 13 - But while African action against apartheid is important, the Special Committee has always emphasized that apartheid is not a purely African problem but a world problem. It was brought to the United Nations long before most African countries became independant. In fact, it was not until Ghana became independent in 1957 that African delegations led the debates. For us, therefore, action by the organi/ations in the United Kingdom is very important. I would like again to commend the Anti-Apartheid Movement and other organizations for their valuable contribution. Before concluding, I would like to take this opportunity of paying tribute to Mr. Jock Hall*for his valuable personal contribution against apartheid. The Special Committee is extremely gratified for his gesture. I would also like to motion that I have just had some interesting conversations with the Secretary-General of the Coimonwealth Secretariat, Mr. S.S. Ramphal, and the Minister of State, the Rt. Hon. David Ennals. The conversations with the Secretary-General were concerned more particularly with the contribution of the Commonwealth Secretariat to the struggle for the elimination of apartheid. I am authorized by him to say that his Secretariat will give its full support to the Special Committee against Apartheid and we have no doubt whatsoever about the strength of this assurance given by him. At the Foreign Office, I had the opportunity of outlining the need for better co-operation with them in the future. * In December 1975, when it became known that Marconi, a British company, was planning to sell sophisticated communications equipment for use by the South African Defence Force, 14r. Hall, an employee of Marconi, refused to work on the project.

- j14 - ANEX I JOINT PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE AND THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH, LONDON, 28 JANUARY 1976* "Madame Jeanne Martin Cisse, Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid, met today with Shridath S. Ramphal, Commonwealth Secretary- General, for consultations on international action against apartheid. "She recalled with appreciation that the Commonwealth Head of Government, at their meeting in Kingston in May 1975, had reaffirmed 'their total and unequivocal condemnation of apartheid and all forms of racism' and had strongly supported the arms embargo against South Africa. "She commended the Secretary-General for his advocacy of effective action for the elimination of apartheid in South Africa, and said that the Special Committee looked forward to closer co-operation with the Commonwealth Secretariat. "Mr. Ramphal reiterated that the Commonwealth shared with the United Nations a firm commitment to the struggle for the elimination of apartheid. He explained the activities and plans of the Commonwealth Secretariat as regards assistance to the indigenous peoples of and Namibia. He expressed his appreciation of the vigorous efforts of the Special Committee to promote international action against apartheid; and assured Mine Ciss6 of the continued and increasing co- operation by the Commonwealth Secretariat with the United Nations and the Special Committee in pursuance of the decisions of the Commonwealth Heads of Government. "Madame Ciss6 extended an invitation to the Secretary-General to attend the International Seminar on Apartheid, to be organized by the Special Committee in Havana from 24 to 28 May 1976. The Secretary-General accepted the invitation and assured Madame Ciss& that the Secretariat would be represented in Havana."

- 15 - ANNEX II JOINT PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE AND THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE AFRO-ASIAN PEOPLES' SOLIDARITY ORGANIZATION, CAIRO, 31 JANUARY 1976 On the invitation of the Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Organization, the Chairman of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid, H.E. Mine Jeanne Martin Cisse visited AAPSO headquarters in Cairo on 31 January 1976 and held discussions with the Permanent Secretariat led by the AAPSO SecretaryGeneral, H.E. Mr. Youssef El Sebai. The meeting was marked with cordiality and warmth on both sides. Views were exchanged on the present stage of the struggle against apartheid and the need to further intensify the world-wide campaign in solidarity with the people of southern Africa for their total liberation from colonial and racist regimes. Equally essential is the struggle against zionism as a form of racism. Both sides hailed the United Nations decision in this context, equating racism and zionism. Special concern was expressed on the situation in Angola where the racist South African troops have utilized the territory of Namibia under its illegal occupation, endangering peace and security of Africa. Both sides severely condemned this gross violation of international law on the part of South Africa. It was pointed out that the racist r6gime of South Africa and its trading partners are opposed to the freedom and independence of Angola because it will further weaken their hold on Namibia, Zimbabwe and the whole of South Africa. In this connexion, the recent decision of the United Nations Security Council demanding free elections in Namibia can be fruitful if South Africa is compelled to vacate its illegal occupation and let the people of Namibia exercise their full right of self- determination. Expressing satisfaction over the growing isolation and ever-increasing condemnation of the hated apartheid regime of South Africa by the international community, it was noted, however, that South Africa's trading partners who reap enormous profits from it are repeatedly violating United Nations mandates; and contrary to United Nations decisions they continue to support it politically, diplomatically and militarily. It is necessary, therefore, to expose thoroughly these links between the apartheid system and those who sustain it. It was also pointed out that the Pretoria regime is desperately trying to create bantustans in South Africa and Namibia which is nothing but "balkanization". The international community should in no case adcept this. Any representation in this regard must be rejected. The AAPSO highly appreciated the role of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid in its consistent work through the United Nations system and other intergovernmental and non-governmental forums. AAPSO whole-heartedly supportedly the forthcoming United Nations sponsored anti-apartheid seminar to be held in Havana in May.this year and assured the Committee of its participation. I...

- 16 - On its part, AAPSO informed the Chairman of the Special Committee about its own programme in support of the fighting people of southern Africa. At present the AAPSO is exploring the possibility of co-sponsoring a large international conference against apartheid to be held by the end of 1976 or beginning of 1977 in one of the West European capitals. AAPSO is planning to publish a book on the entire problem of apartheid under the title "AAPSO and the struggle against apartheid". AAPSO will continue to co-operate with the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid in all its activities and assured the Committee 6f its whole-hearted support. As in the past, the AAPSO delegations will visit the United Nations whenever necessary and address its Committees which deal with questions concerning the liberation struggles and apartheid. Her Excellency Madame Ciss6 thanked the AAPSO secretariat for the warm reception accorded to her and appreciated the great role AAPSO has been playing in the struggle against apartheid. She assured AAPSO that its delegations to the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid will always be'welcome and that the Committee appreciates AAPSO's valuable contribution, as one of the prominent non-governmental organizations, in the struggle against apartheid. I...

- 17 AWN= III JOINT PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE AND -THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES, CAIRO, 31 JANUARY 1976 The Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Rad, received Jeanne Martin Cisse, Permanent Representative of Guinea to the Un ted Nations and Chairman of the United Nations Special Committee against Aparthieid During the meeting, Madame Cisse briefed the Secretary-General on th" Committee's programme for 1976, emphasizing two main points: firstly, t1 necessity of extending the information campaign against the apartheid po icy adopted by the South African r6gime and making known the effects and con equences of such an ill-favoured policy; and secondly, the necessity of strengthening the measures that lead to isolating South Africa, especially in the economid sphere. She expressed the United Nations Committee's appreciation of the r solution adopted by the Arab League's Council not to establish any diplomatic, eonomic, and trade relations with South Africa. She hailed as well all the effcrts exerted by the Arab League and its member States to support the Committee's ca paign aiming at the eradication of the apartheid policy. The Arab League Secretary-General reiterated the interest of the kab States in the eradication of apartheid and their solidarity with the African countries in this domain at all the international forums including the United Nations, the Non-aligned Movement, Arab/African co-operation organizations and the Islamic Conference. He pointed out that the Arab peoples share with the Africans in buffering from the apartheid policy, and consider zionism one of its forms. He further stressed that the Arab States adhere to all the resolptions aimed at achieving the objectives of the United Nations Special Committee a=ainst Apartheid. I...

- 18 - ANNEX IV JOINT COMMUNIQUE BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE AND THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN TRADE UNION UNITY, ACCRA, 4 FEBRUARY 1976 A delegation of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid led by its Chairman, Madame Jeanne Martin CissS, paid a visit to the secretariat of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity in Accra (Ghana) and was warmly received by the OATUU Secretary-General, .J. D. Akumu. The two parties exchanged views of mutual interest and agreed upon strengthening the co-operation between the OATUU general secretariat and the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid. The Chairman of the Special Committee commended the OATUU efforts to combat racism and racial discrimination the world over and also its fight against the obnoxious policy of apartheid practised by South Africa, through its Special Trade Union Committee against Apartheid. The Chairman also urged the OATUU secretariat for more trade union action against apartheid. The OATUU side hailed the efforts of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid to stir up world-wide public opinion against the inhuman system of apartheid and pledged the unreserved support of the OATUU to the programme of action of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid. Both sides felt the need for concrete action rather than mere condemnations and the mobilization of all possible avenues for this purpose, in accordance with resolutions adopted by the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity. They urged those countries now trading with South Africa to stop trading transactionsi with that country and requested them to co-operate to isolate the racist r6gime of South Africa economically from the world community. Both sides have also appealed to the African Governments which still provide air and sea facilities to the foreign aircraft and vessels bound for or coming from South Africa to cease these facilities forthwith.