GA/AP/918, 27 November 1978
Leslie O. Harriman, Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid, sent on 24 November the following telegram to Ugo Benassi, Mayor of Reggio Emilia, Italy, in connection with the National Conference of Solidarity with the peoples of southern Africa, which was held in that city on 25-26 November.
I have great pleasure, on behalf of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid, in extending warm greetings to the Conference of Solidarity with the peoples of southern Africa and to the city of Reggio Emilia to which I again pay tribute for its solidarity with struggles for liberation in Africa.
The Special Committee has noted with greatest satisfaction that the Conference is sponsored by all major political parties and trade unions of Italy and reflects the affirmation of support by the Italian Government and people as a whole to the righteous aspirations and the just struggles of the oppressed peoples of southern Africa.
We are particularly impressed that plans are already under way to translate moral and political commitment into material assistance. By your actions you will not only make a contribution to meeting one of the greatest moral challenges of this time but will help build genuine friendship between Italy and Africa.
I commend your effective observance of International Anti-Apartheid Year and invite your co-operation in launching international mobilization until apartheid is destroyed and the people of southern Africa totally liberated. I regret deeply my inability to attend the Conference because of the current debate on apartheid in the United Nations General Assembly, but look forward to a later visit and continued co-operation. I wish you success.