GA/AP/789, 1 February 1978
The Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid, Leslie O. Harriman (Nigeria), sent a message today, on behalf of the Committee, to the Conference of Peace Movements from Latin America and the Caribbean, being held from 1 to 4 February in Mexico City.
He said the Committee looked forward to effective participation by the peoples of Latin America and the Carribbean in the International Anti-Apartheid Year, which begins on 21 March.
The message reads as follows:
I am happy, on behalf of the Special Committee against Apartheid, to send my greetings to the participants in the Conference of Peace Movements from Latin America and the Caribbean. I note with satisfaction that the Conference will consider actions against apartheid in South Africa and the observance of the International Anti-Apartheid Year.
The Special Committee looks forward to effective participation by the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean in the International Anti-Apartheid Year.
This International Year has been proclaimed at a time when the struggle for freedom in South Africa has reached a decisive stage and has assumed historic significance. As the World Conference for Action against Apartheid, held in Lagos in August 1977, emphasized:
"The Liberation of southern Africa as a whole from colonial and racist rule will be the final step in the emancipation of the continent of Africa from centuries of domination and humiliation. It will be a major contribution to the elimination of racism and racial discrimination in the world, and to the strengthening of international peace and security.
"The World Conference calls on all Governments and peoples to make their fullest contribution to this historic and crucial effort for freedom, peace and international co-operation".
I have no doubt that the peoples of Latin America with their great anti-racist and anti-colonial tradition, and the peoples of the Caribbean who have been the pioneers of pan-Africanism, can make a notable contribution to this effort.
The task is clear.
The International Seminar on the Eradication of Apartheid and in Support of the Struggle for Liberation in South Africa - held in Havana in May 1976 -formulated a "programme of action against apartheid" which was endorsed by the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity and numerous other organizations. It lays down clearly the main lines of action by Governments and organizations.
The Special Committee has noted with satisfaction the contribution of a number of Governments in Latin America and the Caribbean to the struggle against apartheid. But it has been concerned that some Governments have developed collaboration with the apartheid regime-in violation of United Nations resolutions and the teachings of the great liberators of the continent. The apartheid regime and South African corporations have also managed to infiltrate some countries where public opinion has not been alert and vigilant.
The International Anti-Apartheid Year must be an occasion to mobilize all the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean in opposition to any collaboration with the criminal regime in Pretoria and in full support of the national liberation movement.
As this Conference is being held in Mexico City, I wish to take this opportunity again to commend the government and people of Mexico for their consistent and valuable support in the struggle against apartheid and racism.
I would also request you to convey my greetings and best wishes to the Latin American Caribbean Committee against Apartheid.