GA/AP/636, 7 March 1977
The Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid, Leslie O. Harriman (Nigeria), sent a cable today expressing the Committee's hope that the summit meeting of African and Arab States, now taking place in Cairo, would decide on concrete measures "to enable the South African liberation movements to free South Africa from the tyranny and slavery of apartheid".
The cable sent to the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, reads as follows:
"We would be grateful if you would convey to the summit meeting of the African and Arab States the respectful greetings of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid.
"We earnestly hope that the present summit meeting will decide on concrete and effective measures to enable the South African liberation movements to free South Africa from the tyranny and slavery of apartheid and establish a non-racial society.
"The massive brutality of the Pretoria regime, the torture and killings of African patriots and repeated acts of aggression against neighbouring territories have created an explosive situation. Urgent action to enforce the arms embargo; instituting of economic sanctions, including particularly an oil embargo and cessation of investments, greatly increased assistance to the oppressed people and liberation movements and punishment of apartheid criminals is imperative. African-Arab unity can be a powerful force in promoting the implementation of such measures in this crucial period."