GA/AP/620, 26 November 1976
The following message by Leslie O. Harriman, Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid was delivered today at an inaugural meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Committee against Apartheid held at the Foreign Ministry in Mexico City. It was read by Enuga Reddy, Director of Centre against Apartheid.
"I am happy, on behalf of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid, to send my warm greetings to the participants in the inaugural meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Committee against Apartheid.
"I am particularly gratified that this meeting is being held in Mexico which has played a notable role in the international efforts against apartheid through its boycott of racially selected sports teams and other actions, as well as its initiatives in the United Nations.
"The Special Committee has always emphasized that the problem of apartheid in South Africa is a matter of universal concern since that criminal policy violates the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and since the cause for which the oppressed people of South Africa have been struggling heroically for many decades is the cause of all humanity. It should be a matter of concern not only to governments but also to churches, trade unions, and all organizations which espouse freedom and international co-operation.
"The Special Committee has been gratified at the measures taken by many Latin American and Caribbean countries in support of international efforts for the eradication of apartheid in South Africa. It looks forward to increasing co-operation with those countries not only because of the intimate ties which bind this region to Africa and the anti-racist teachings of the liberators, which inspire the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean, but also because of their loyalty to the principles of the United Nations and the cause of a new international order based on freedom and human equality.
"The apartheid regime, however, has been making special efforts to establish links with some Latin American countries in order to break out of its isolation. It has succeeded in developing close relations with a few governments and enticed some others to establish diplomatic and consular relations. South African companies have also managed to obtain contracts in some countries through joint enterprises set up in third countries in co-operation with transnational corporations.
"We believe that it is essential to alert public opinion in Latin America in order to combat these efforts of the apartheid regime. I am confident that, in this respect, your Committee can make a valuable contribution.
"The struggle for freedom in South Africa has reached a new and decisive stage since the collapse of Portuguese colonialism.
"The apartheid regime, in its desperation, has resorted to utmost brutality to suppress the resistance of the black people, and has launched repeated acts of aggression against independent African States. It is proceeding with the inhuman Bantustan scheme with a view to depriving the citizenship of the African people, who constitute the great majority of the population, and confine them to scattered reserves which are to be granted sham 'independence'.
"On the other hand, the heroic resistance of the oppressed people, especially since the Soweto massacre of 16 June, has demonstrated their indomitable will to freedom. Their just cause has won the understanding and support of the governments and peoples of non-aligned and other third world States, the Socialist States and many Western countries, as well as large segments of public opinion in the larger Western countries which continue collaboration with the apartheid regime. It will prevail.
"The international community has an inescapable duty today to provide all necessary assistance to the South African people to eradicate apartheid, rid themselves of the criminal racist regime and establish a non-racial society. The liberation of South Africa is an urgent task of all governments and peoples dedicated to peace and international co-operation.
"Towards this end, the United Nations General Assembly had adopted a Programme of Action against Apartheid-based on the conclusions of the International Seminar organized by the Special Committee in Havana, Republic of Cuba, in May 1976, the resolutions of the Organization of African Unity and the Conference of Non-aligned countries, as well as the declarations of churches, trade unions and non-governmental organizations.
"I would commend this Programme of Action to the Latin American and Caribbean Committee against Apartheid.
"The Special Committee looks forward to close co-operation with your Committee in further action to build the widest international solidarity in support of the struggle for liberation in South Africa".
(The Latin American and Caribbean Committee against Apartheid has been organized as a sequel to consultations held by the officers of the Special Committee against Apartheid with Latin American and Caribbean participants at the International Seminar for the Eradication of Apartheid in support of the struggle for liberation of South Africa, held in Havana in May 1976.)