GA/AP/901, 28 September 1978
The Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid, Leslie O. Harriman (Nigeria), sent the following message to an international conference meeting in New Delhi from 28 September to 2 October 1978.
I wish to extend my greetings to all the participants in the International Conference for the Liberation of Southern Africa and against Apartheid.
This Conference deals with one of the most urgent problems before humanity. The liberation of southern Africa is the crucial challenge before all those who seek an end to colonialism and racism, and the building of a new world order based on human dignity and human equality. It is an essential task for the maintenance of international peace and the development of genuine international co-operation.
The Conference is also most timely. Faced with the advance of the forces of liberation, the racist regimes have become utterly desperate; they have embarked on a suicidal course and threaten to precipitate a catastrophic conflict. Furious attempts are being made by certain forces-particularly the militarists and racists, and the economic interests which profit from apartheid-to disrupt and complicate the liberation struggle in order to perpetuate oppression in new forms.
The situation requires the mobilization of all Governments and peoples committed to freedom in full support of the national liberation movements in their heroic struggle to destroy the racist regimes, and complete the emancipation of Africa.
It is most appropriate that this Conference is taking place in New Delhi, the capital of the Republic of India. I need hardly recall the great contribution of India, following the glorious example of Mahatma Gandhi, to the cause of freedom in South Africa. I have been particularly impressed at the national consensus in India on opposition to apartheid, encompassing all political parties and organizations.
I am confident that the Conference will make a significant contribution to promoting an international consensus and mobilization for action-against the racist regimes and their collaborators, and in full solidarity with the freedom fighters of southern Africa.