STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - MME. JEANNE MARTIN CISSE (GUINEA) - AT MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE, JANUARY 21, 1976(1)
This year it will be thirty years since the United Nations become seized of the problem of racist domination in South Africa.
In 1946, when the Government of India brought this problem to the attention of the General Assembly, at the request of the South African liberation movement, it was difficult to obtain sufficient votes even for a discussion of the item. The delegation of the South African liberation movement, led by the late Dr. Xuma, could best hope for a place in the visitors' gallery.
Since then, there has been a radical change because of the struggle of the oppressed people of South Africa, the emergence of new States out of the colonial revolution, the ever-increasing brutality of the racist regime, and the greater awareness of the inhumanity of apartheid and its dangers. The United Nations is now firmly committed to support the struggle of the oppressed people of South Africa for freedom and self-determination.
The South African liberation movement is no more on the sidelines in the United Nations. The African National Congress of South Africa and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania are with us here, after being recognised as the authentic representatives of the great majority of the people of South Africa. The Pretoria regime is isolated from the deliberations in this Organisation, as an illegitimate regime practising a criminal policy.
At its last session, on the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations, the General Assembly proclaimed that the United Nations and the international community have a special responsibility towards the oppressed people of South Africa and their liberation movements, and towards those imprisoned, restricted or exiled for their struggle against apartheid. It has pledged all necessary efforts to secure the speedy eradication of apartheid in South Africa and the liberation of the South African people.
The primary duty of the Special Committee is to assist the international community in discharging the special responsibility towards the oppressed people of South Africa, in redeeming the pledge to assist them in their struggle until victory. This is a challenging task which we accept, with modesty but with determination.
I am greatly honoured to have been chosen to preside over the deliberations of the Special Committee when it has assumed this task. I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all the members of the Special Committee for their confidence. I consider that this tribute is rendered first of all to my country, the Republic of Guinea, which will spare no efforts to continue to support the struggle by the Special Committee against Apartheid. For my part, I pledge to discharge my responsibility, in the only way you would want me to fulfil it and in the only way that I can undertake it, that is, by a rejection of any compromise with racism and apartheid, by refusing to be awed by the apparent might of the racists and their collaborators, and by an unshakeable faith in the destiny of the South African people.
I referred earlier to the thirty-year story of the consideration of racism in South Africa by the United Nations because I believe that we should always keep in mind the experience of the past in charting our course to the future.
I would like to recall that every advance that has been made in international action against apartheid arose from the struggle of the South African people - supported by the African, Asian and Non-aligned States, and the Socialist States - and despite the resistance of governments and interests which profit from collusion with the racist regime.
I might recall that in 1952 when the South African people launched "the campaign of defiance against unjust laws", the General Assembly began to consider the problem of apartheid as a whole. The newly-independent Arab and Asian countries helped to bring up the matter in the General Assembly. At that time, Western countries and their allies opposed any action - even the establishment of a Commission to study the situation. They were able to force the disbandment of the Commission in 1955.
In 1960, following the positive action campaign launched by the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, the Sharpeville massacre and the nation-wide defiance which shook the foundations of the racist regime, the Security Council began consideration of the situation for the first time. But though the South African regime defied the Security Council and detained thousands of people under the State of Emergency, the friends of that regime made it impossible to obtain further action by the Council.
The racist regime proceeded in May 1961 to proclaim a so-called "republic" on the basis of a referendum of white voters. This sham republic - as illegitimate as the regime established by Ian Smith in Rhodesia in 1965 - could only be launched by a massive show of force because of rejection by the black people. Because it was illegitimate, the African States decided to break relations with South Africa and impose sanctions against it. The only African mission to South Africa, the legation of Egypt, was closed on May 31, 1961. The Commonwealth decided, on the initiative of Ghana and Malaysia, supported by other members including Canada, to exclude South Africa.
Looking back, 1961 is not only a mid-point in the United Nations discussion of racism in South Africa, but also a major turning point. On the one hand, the liberation movements were obliged to give up finally their adherence to non-violence in the face of racist violence. On the other hand, apartheid came to be unanimously condemned, though the Western Powers continued to resist concrete measures against South Africa. Even the United Kingdom, which had so far defended South Africa, joined in the condemnation, declaring that South Africa was a special case.
The Special Committee was established a year later, by General Assembly resolution 1761 (XVII) of November 6, 1972, to keep the situation under constant review. It began its work at a time when the crisis had deepened in South Africa and when thousands of South African patriots were being thrown into jail for their resistance against oppression and torture.
Since its inception, and despite the boycott by the Western Powers, the Special Committee has tried to do all in its power to secure widest international recognition and support for the struggle of the South African people for liberation.
We have stressed that apartheid in South Africa is not only a crime against the South African people or an affront to Africa, but also a grave threat to the peace which is of concern to all humanity. We have emphasised that condemnation is not enough, but that concrete action must be taken to isolate the racist regime and assist the oppressed people and their liberation movement.
We have tried to persuade all countries, including the Western countries, and all organisations concerned, to forget their differences on other matters and join in concerted action against apartheid, this universally-recognised menace and crime. We have appealed to the Western countries to abandon "cold war" thinking in dealing with South Africa and warned that freedom-loving governments and peoples of the world cannot but view with hostility any "bloc" allied with the apartheid regime.
We can perhaps recount some achievements in the course of our efforts.
Apartheid has come to be universally condemned, as a unique and most abhorrent crime. It has been recognised that the problem in South Africa is not a problem of a mere violation of human rights or arbitrary imprisonment of a few people but the oppression of the great majority of the people by the racist regime. There have been resolutions and declarations, with overwhelming majorities, committing the United Nations and Member States to the struggle of the South African people. There is an arms embargo which is not without significance, despite the regrettable violations by some Powers. Funds have been established to assist the oppressed people of South Africa, and substantial contributions have been made by States all over the world.
With the collapse of Portuguese colonialism, the boundaries of freedom moved to the borders of South Africa. The Special Committee reported in 1974 that a new stage had arrived in the struggle of the South African people and the efforts of the international community to eradicate apartheid. It warned of the manoeuvres of the South African regime and declared that it had become imperative to step up concerted international action to promote liberation.
Since then, the Special Committee has devoted more efforts than ever to secure concerted action, especially by frank consultations with the Western Powers.
It is, in this context, that we are concerned over the recent attitudes of some States towards the South African regime and its aggression in Angola. There is an attempt to undo the advances which have been made in these 30 years in international action against apartheid.
One great Power has even tried to weaken the action against the South African regime by describing it as "selective condemnation", using a phrase from South African propaganda. An organisation in New York, which has arrogated to itself the role of judging freedom, has claimed that South Africa has more freedom than some independent African countries.(2)
They may perhaps soon find that there was more freedom under slavery in the United States than after the Civil War!
A high official of the United States of America recently asked that we should consider the pluses and minuses of the withdrawal of South African aggressors from Angola.
One would have thought that after all these years of United Nations consideration, it was agreed that the racist regime must be made to withdraw not only from Angola, but also from Namibia and from South Africa itself - in fact, from the face of this earth!
If I have been constrained to refer specifically to the United States of America, it is with distress because we have a right to expect cooperation from this country which has repeatedly protested its abhorrence of apartheid. A few months ago, in June, a special mission of the Committee, composed of the former Chairman, Ambassador Ogbu, the Rapporteur and the distinguished Ambassador of Somalia, made a visit to Washington to appeal for such cooperation.
As regards South African aggression in Angola, the facts are absolutely clear. The racist regime, which is denounced by the international community, has launched military aggression against an African people on the eve of their hard-won independence. It has launched this aggression from the Territory of Namibia which it is occupying illegally - a Territory under the special responsibility of the United Nations. It has crossed the borders of Namibia to attack the militants of SWAPO, a liberation movement recognised by the United Nations as the authentic representative of the Namibian people, and threatened to launch similar aggression against other States which provide hospitality to SWAPO.
But to our astonishment and regret, some Powers, which have special responsibility for international peace, suggest that there should be a bargain over South African aggression. It looks as if the troops of the racist regime are the dogs unleashed by some external Power which then offers to leash them at a price.
We cannot but declare again categorically: the South African forces must be forced to withdraw unconditionally. There can be no ransom to the racist regime, but only retribution for this new crime of aggression.
We are, of course, aware of the propaganda by the Pretoria regime concerning the alleged danger of communism. Many years ago, it launched brutal repression against the South African liberation movements claiming that it was suppressing communism. It then proceeded to attack SWAPO claiming that SWAPO is "communist" and that its freedom fighters have Soviet weapons. It now uses the same slogan in committing aggression against the people of Angola.
The calculation of the South African racists is no mystery.
They have been trying constantly to break out of isolation by persuading Western countries that they have a common interest - whether it is the defence of the Cape route or the security of the Indian Ocean or the "cold war". They think that they can use Angola for this purpose.
I believe that the South African racists have an even more ambitious plan. They are nostalgic for the old days when they were admitted to the counsels of the colonial Powers in Africa to discuss how to retard freedom in Africa. They are anxious to secure recognition as a junior imperialist power dominating southern Africa. For this purpose, they have invested heavily in armaments and in propaganda.
It seems to me that the Special Committee and all opponents of apartheid must denounce and frustrate the moves to reinforce the links between South Africa and the Western Powers.
The Special Committee, for its part, will need to intensify its efforts to publicise the manoeuvres of the racist regime and its collaborators. It must analyse the new situation arising from the desperate adventures by the racist regime, far beyond the borders of South Africa. It must continue and intensify consultations with Governments and organisations, especially the Governments of the main trading partners of South Africa, to secure more concerted action. It must -in close cooperation with the liberation movements, the OAU, the Non-aligned Movement, and all friends of freedom - contribute its utmost to the emancipation of the South African people. This challenge we accept as our duty.
STATEMENT BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON MILITARY OPERATIONS BY SOUTH AFRICA IN ANGOLA AND NAMIBIA, JANUARY 23, 1976(3)
The Special Committee against Apartheid, having reviewed recent developments in South Africa and in southern Africa, expresses its utmost concern and alarm at the launching by the South African racist regime of large-scale military operations against the Namibian freedom fighters and its increasing military intervention in Angola.
The South African intervention is an attempt not only at consolidating its racist policies, but also at extending its pernicious policies of apartheid, exploitation and oppression over the whole of southern Africa.
The South African regime has recently sent large numbers of troops and police into Namibia, has forcibly removed civilians near the border between Namibia and Angola, and has launched military operations against the Namibian freedom fighters. It has even threatened to attack other independent African States which provide facilities to these freedom fighters.
From Namibia, which it continues to occupy illegally, the racist regime has launched direct aggression against the newly-independent State of Angola.
The Special Committee notes with grave concern that South African racist regime has mobilised thousands of reservists for an escalation of its intervention.
According to the South African newspaper, Die Transvaler of January 15, 1976, the Pretoria regime has decided to retain and, indeed, reinforce its forces in Angola.
The Special Committee considers it essential to recall that the United Nations General Assembly has branded the racist regime of South Africa as an illegitimate regime and declared that its apartheid policy is a crime against humanity and a threat to international peace and security. It has reaffirmed the commitment of the international community to assist the people of South Africa to rid themselves of this regime and achieve self-determination. It has condemned the presence of the forces of this regime in the Territory of Namibia. No "interests" of this regime in Namibia or even South Africa, much less Angola, can be recognised in any way by the international community.
The Special Committee against Apartheid renews its call "on all Governments and organisations to denounce the aggression by the South African racist regime in Angola", and again calls on them to take all appropriate steps to secure the unconditional withdrawal of the South African troops from Angola; to support the efforts of the United Nations and the liberation movement of Namibia, the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), to terminate the illegal South African occupation of Namibia; and to implement United Nations resolutions for the eradication of apartheid in South Africa and the liberation of the South African people.
The Special Committee draws attention, in this connection, to the request by the General Assembly to the Security Council, in resolution 3411 (XXX) of 10 December 1975, "to consider urgently the situation in South Africa and the aggressive actions of the racist regime of South Africa with a view to adopting effective measures, under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, to resolve the grave situation in the area" and, in particular "to ensure that all Governments implement fully the arms embargo against South Africa, without any exceptions as to the type of weapons, and prohibit any violations of the arms embargo by companies and individuals within their jurisdiction".
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - MME. JEANNE MARTIN CISSE (GUINEA) - ON RELATIONS BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND ISRAEL, APRIL 7, 1976(4)
On behalf of the Special Committee against Apartheid, I wish to express grave concern over the increasing collaboration by the Government of Israel with the racist regime of South Africa in flagrant defiance of the resolutions of the United Nations.
It may be recalled that in resolution 3411 G (XXX), adopted as recently as 10 December 1975, the General Assembly has condemned "the strengthening of relations and collaboration between the racist regime of South Africa and Israel in the political, military, economic and other fields".
Soon after, in January 1976, South Africa elevated its Consulate-General in Israel to an embassy. On 26 and 27 March, the South African Minister of Interior and Information, Mr. C.P. Mulder, visited Israel and was reported to have held long meetings with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Israel.
On 4 April, the Government of Israel announced that Mr. B.J. Vorster, Prime Minister of the racist regime of South Africa, will soon visit Israel.
I hope that all Governments and organisations will condemn the actions of the Government of Israel in developing closer collaboration with the Pretoria regime in defiance of United Nations resolutions; warn the Government of Israel that the Governments and peoples opposed to apartheid and racism cannot ignore such collaboration; and exercise their influence to persuade the Government of Israel to desist from its present course.
APPEAL BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO SAN-ROC, JUNE 10, 1976(5)
The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously recognised that the campaign for the boycott of South African sports teams, selected on the basis of apartheid and in violation of the Olympic principle of non-discrimination, has been an important measure which has effectively demonstrated the abhorrence of apartheid on the part of Governments and peoples.
This campaign, in which hundreds of thousands of sportsmen and others have participated in many countries, has helped to educate world public opinion about the nature of apartheid and the need to combat it without any compromise.
It has, moreover, helped greatly in promoting unqualified support for the Olympic principle that no discrimination be allowed on the grounds of race, religion or political affiliation. We owe a debt of gratitude to those South African sportsmen who have upheld this principle, at great personal sacrifice, in the face of intimidation and persecution by the racist authorities in that country.
The South African Non-Racial Olympic Committee (SAN-ROC) has played a crucial role since its establishment in 1962, to make the world aware of the imposition of apartheid and racism in South African sport and in mobilising world-wide action. It has suffered persecution in South Africa and has had to operate from London since 1966 on very modest resources contributed by the International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa.
The SAN-ROC is now appealing for funds to enable it to continue its task. This task is important. While we have achieved great success in isolating racist South African sports bodies, the South African regime is spending enormous amounts of money for deceitful propaganda and manoeuvres. A number of international and national sports administrators have proved to be insensitive to the problem of racism and are collaborating with that regime and apartheid sports bodies in violation of the Olympic principle.
I would, therefore, hope that SAN-ROC will receive adequate voluntary contributions from Governments, foundations and sportsmen who are opposed to apartheid and are attached to the Olympic principle.
Contributions may be sent to:
SAN-ROC Fight against Racist Sport
c/o International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa
2 Amen Court
London E.C. 4
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - COMMENDING DECISION BY TANZANIA NOT TO TAKE PART IN MONTREAL OLYMPICS, JULY 12, 1976(6)
On behalf of the Special Committee against Apartheid, I wish to commend the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for its announcement on 9 July that it had decided, in accordance with the decision of the Organisation of African Unity, not to take part in the Olympic Games in Montreal because of the participation of New Zealand.
This action represents an act of sacrifice to demonstrate solidarity with the South African people and to protest against sports exchanges between New Zealand and the South African racists, especially in view of the visit of the All-Blacks rugby team to South Africa soon after the barbaric massacre of Africans in Soweto and other areas.
It is indeed painful to take action against New Zealand, a country which has a tradition of non-racialism in sports and in which many organisations and individuals, including sportsmen, have demonstrated their opposition to apartheid and racism. But the officials of the New Zealand Rugby Union and other sports bodies have been utterly insensitive to all appeals to desist from collusion with the South African racists. The New Zealand Government not only failed to exert its influence against such collusion but gave its official blessings to the visit of the rugby team to South Africa.
I hope that the action of the United Republic of Tanzania, and similar actions to be taken by others, will persuade the Government and sports administrators of New Zealand to stop playing ball with the racists. Action against apartheid in sports is not "politics", nor improper interference in sports, but an inescapable duty of all those loyal to the principles of the United Nations and the Olympic movement.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - CONCERNING THE ENTRY INTO FORCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE SUPPRESSION AND PUNISHMENT OF THE CRIME OF APARTHEID, JULY 19, 1976(7)
The coming into force of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the crime of apartheid represents a further advance in international efforts to eradicate apartheid and in the struggle of peoples for human rights and freedoms.
It is a renewed warning to the racist regime in South Africa and its supporters to desist from their crimes against the black people, a warning which is most timely after the recent inhuman massacre of African school children in Soweto and other areas. It is also a warning to those who collaborate with the racist regime, especially the so-called bantustan leaders who are acting in collusion with the Vorster regime to deprive the African people of their inalienable rights.
Under the Convention, apartheid has been declared an international crime and criminal responsibility has been extended to individuals, members of organisations and institutions, and representatives of the State.
On behalf of the Special Committee, I appeal to all States which have not yet done so to ratify or accede to the Convention. At the same time, steps must be taken to implement the Convention without any delay. The Special Committee will cooperate with the parties to the Convention and the Commission on Human Rights towards this end.
LETTER ADDRESSED TO ALL UNITED NATIONS MEMBER STATES BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - STRESSING NEED FOR INCREASED AID TO OPPRESSED PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA, SEPTEMBER 9, 1976(8)
The Special Committee against Apartheid has the honour to draw the attention of all Governments and organisations to the urgent need for increased assistance to the oppressed people of South Africa and their liberation movements.
It may be recalled that in resolution 3411 G (XXX), adopted on December 10, 1975, the General Assembly appealed to all States and organisations "to provide all assistance required by the oppressed people of South Africa and their national liberation movements during their legitimate struggle, in the light of the recommendations of the Special Committee against Apartheid."
Since that time, faced with growing international opposition to its criminal apartheid policies, the South African regime has resorted to wanton killings and maimings of African school children and others, and to massive repression against all opponents of apartheid. The oppressed people of South Africa have launched a nation-wide uprising for the eradication of apartheid and the attainment of freedom.
In this situation, there is an urgent need for a great increase in humanitarian assistance to the victims of repression, as well as assistance to the oppressed people and their liberation movements for intensifying their legitimate struggle for freedom. The Special Committee believes that the United Nations and the international community have a duty to provide such assistance as an act of solidarity with the South African people for whom they have accepted special responsibility.
The Special Committee notes that the Council of Ministers of the Organisation of African Unity, at its 27th Ordinary Session held in Port Louis, Mauritius, from 24 June to 3 July 1976, resolved to extend maximum political, economic and military assistance to the liberation movements in South Africa.
The Fifth Conference of the Heads of State and Government of Non-aligned Countries, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in August 1976 called on all States and organisations to increase assistance to the oppressed people of South Africa and their liberation movements until they attain liberation from racist oppression. It invited all Non-aligned countries to contribute generously to the "Support and Solidarity Fund for Southern Africa", established by the Non-aligned Conference in 1973, and provided for the convening of a pledging conference during the thirty-first session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Special Committee also notes with satisfaction that a number of non-governmental organisations have taken action to increase assistance to the oppressed people of South Africa and their liberation movements.
The Special Committee trusts that Your Excellency's Government will consider generous contributions, in cash or in kind, to the relevant international funds (such as those of the United Nations, the Organisation of African Unity and the Non-aligned Movement) or directly to the South African liberation movements.
The Special Committee would appreciate any information on the assistance currently provided by Your Excellency's Government, and the increases contemplated by it, as such information would greatly facilitate the discharge of the mandate of the Special Committee to promote such assistance. The Committee would appreciate it if such information can be provided, in the first instance, by United Nations Day, 24 October 1976.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - REQUESTING ALL STATES TO REFRAIN FROM EXTENDING ANY FORM OF RECOGNITION TO TRANSKEI, SEPTEMBER 21, 1976(9)
According to press reports, the Prime Minister of the apartheid regime in South Africa, Balthazar John Vorster, and the Chief Minister of the bantustan administration in the Transkei, "Paramount Chief" Kaiser Matanzima, signed agreements on 17 September as a prelude to the "independence" of Transkei on 26 October.
As Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid, I wish to declare that the agreements between these two men can have no validity. They are not agreements for the granting of the right of self-determination or independence to the African people, but a fraud perpetrated by the racist rulers and the government-appointed chiefs who act as their accomplices.
The sham "independence" of the Transkei is a step in the implementation of the diabolical scheme of the apartheid regime to deprive the African people - who constitute 70 per cent of the population of South Africa - of their rights of citizenship by relegating them to seven or eight bantustans to be established in 200 scattered reserves covering less than 13 per cent of the area of the country.
In the case of Transkei, the regime has decreed that not only the 1.7 million residents of the territory, but more than a million people of Xhosa origin in the rest of South Africa will become "citizens" of this phantom State on 26 October. The white Parliament in Cape Town has already enacted a law depriving all the people of Transkeian origin of citizenship. There is no parallel for this mass deprivation of citizenship except in Nazi Germany.
The African people have always fought against the manoeuvres of the apartheid regime to divide them arbitrarily into so-called ethnic groups, establish bantustans as reservoirs of labour, and appropriate the rest of South Africa, whose economy has been built by the African labour for the ruling white minority. The regime, however, proceeded to impose the bantustan scheme by resorting to brutal repression. Already six million people have been forcibly moved from their homes, and millions more are due to be moved.
In 1960, after the banning of the African National Congress of South Africa and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, the South African regime instituted a reign of terror in the Transkei under Proclamation 400 which provides for indefinite detention without trial. That Proclamation still remains in force.
While the leaders of the African people were imprisoned or forced into exile, the regime instituted so-called "self-government" in the Transkei in 1963. Despite banning of meetings and other acts of repression, the people voted against the supporters of bantustans led by Chief Kaiser Matanzima. But the so-called "legislative assembly" was stacked with a majority of government-appointed chiefs who elected him as Chief Minister. The regime made him a "paramount chief" in recognition of his services to the regime and his betrayal of the aspirations of the African people.
The "independence" which Vorster has now arranged with Matanzima does not in any way represent the will of the African people.
The Transkei, which consists of three isolated pieces of land, is not economically viable. Most of the able-bodied men in the territory are obliged to go to the white-owned mines, factories and farms in the rest of South Africa to find employment. The "independent" Transkei will remain totally dependent on South Africa.
Kaiser Matanzima has already declared that he would continue to enforce Proclamation 400 after "independence". He has assured investors that no African trade unions would be allowed in the territory. In July-August the entire leadership of the Transkei Democratic Party was detained for opposing "independence": the party was thus prevented from contesting the elections on 29 September. (The "parliament" of Transkei is to be composed of 75 elected members and 75 appointed chiefs.) Hundreds of African students have been arrested for opposing "independence" and Matanzima has threatened to deport anyone opposing independence.
The United Nations, the Organisation of African Unity and the Conference of Non-aligned countries have denounced bantustans and called on all States to refrain from recognition of Transkei's sham "independence". This position has been supported by the World Council of Churches and numerous non-governmental organisations.
Any recognition of the Transkei, and any dealings with the authorities in the Transkei, would constitute a hostile act against the oppressed people of South Africa and, indeed, against the United Nations which has declared special responsibility for them.
On behalf of the Special Committee against Apartheid, I invite all States which have not yet done so to declare categorically that they will refrain from any form of recognition to the Transkei.
I appeal to all governments and organisations to observe 26 October 1976 as a day of solidarity with the peoples of South Africa and Namibia in their struggle against bantustans and for the territorial integrity of their nations.
The destiny of South Africa shall be determined, not by the illegitimate racist regime and its accomplices among tribal chiefs, but by the people of South Africa and their genuine representatives - above all, the leaders of the liberation movement who are now in prison and in exile or underground in South Africa.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - ON THE SENTENCING OF MR. AND MRS. RABKIN AND MR. CRONIN, SEPTEMBER 30, 1976(10)
I have read with indignation the report that a South African racist court has delivered savage sentences on Mr. David Rabkin, a journalist, Mrs. Susan Rabkin, his wife, and Mr. Jeremy Cronin, a lecturer at the University of Cape Town, for distributing pamphlets of the liberation movement.
Their support of the liberation movement and their courage underline the nobility and righteousness of the South African liberation movement which has always espoused the cause of non-racialism despite the provocations of the apartheid regime. It has not wavered from this even in the recent period when thousands of black people have been killed, wounded, imprisoned and tortured by the apartheid regime.
The sentences show once again that the apartheid regime is a menace not only to the black people of South Africa but also to those whites who espouse the principles of freedom, non-racialism and human solidarity.
MESSAGE BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO POLITICAL PRISONERS IN SOUTH AFRICA, OCTOBER 11, 1976(11)
The Special Committee against Apartheid, meeting in solemn observance of the Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners - with the participation of delegations from all Member States of the United Nations, the liberation movements of South Africa, and non-governmental organisations committed to the struggle against apartheid - sends its greetings to all those imprisoned or restricted or exiled for their struggle against apartheid and for freedom and national self-determination.
We solemnly reaffirm the special responsibility of the United Nations and the international community towards the oppressed people of South Africa and their liberation movements, and towards all those imprisoned, restricted or exiled for their struggle against apartheid. We reiterate the full commitment and dedication of the United Nations and the international community to the struggle for freedom in South Africa, until all political prisoners are freed and the oppressed people of South Africa can exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter.
We hail the heroic resistance of the oppressed people of South Africa against the criminal apartheid regime. We salute the valiant fighters who have selflessly laid down their lives in the struggle. We solemnly pledge our full support to those who are detained under the repressive laws and daily exposed to brutal treatment and torture in the jails of the criminal regime and to those who have been subjected to imprisonment and floggings for participating in peaceful demonstrations against racial discrimination.
We condemn the South African racist regime for its massacres of peaceful demonstrators, including many children, and its daily crimes against the black people, who constitute the overwhelming majority of the population of South Africa.
We call once again for an end to all collaboration with the South African racist regime in all fields and invite the full cooperation of all Governments and organisations in this respect.
We rededicate ourselves to continue and increase our support for the just cause of the oppressed people of South Africa and call upon the peoples of the world to redouble their campaigns for the immediate and unconditional release of all South African political prisoners, for the isolation of the South African racist regime and for support to the South African liberation movements.
MESSAGE BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - TO INAUGURAL MEETING OF LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN COMMITTEE AGAINST APARTHEID, NOVEMBER 26, 1976(12)
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 emphasised 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 organisations which espouse freedom and international cooperation.
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 cooperation 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 cooperation 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 cooperation.
Towards this end, the United Nations General Assembly had adopted a Programme of Action against Apartheid - based on the conclusions of the International Seminar organised by the Special Committee in Havana, Republic of Cuba, in May 1976, the resolutions of the Organisation of African Unity and the Conference of Non-aligned Countries, as well as the declarations of churches, trade unions and non-governmental organisations.
I would commend this Programme of Action to the Latin American and Caribbean Committee against Apartheid.
The Special Committee looks forward to close cooperation with your Committee in further action to build the widest international solidarity in support of the struggle for liberation in South Africa.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - ON SOUTH AFRICA'S AGGRESSION AGAINST ANGOLA, FEBRUARY 24, 1977(13)
My attention has been drawn to a highly boastful account, released by the South African Defence Headquarters on 3 February 1977, of South Africa's criminal adventure in Angola in 1975-1976.
The apartheid regime has now publicly confessed that after a series of incursions into southern Angola, it had sent an officer to the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) headquarters, as early as 24 September 1975 to plan operations against the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA). Eighteen instructors and military equipment were sent soon after and the South Africans accompanied UNITA forces in clashes with MPLA forces between Lobito and Nova Lisboa. In mid-October, a squadron of armoured cars and crews were sent to Silva Porto and formed a special combat group. This group participated in attacks on Pereira d'Eca, Rocados, Joao de Almeida, Sa da Bandeira and Mocamedes between 19 and 28 October. They then advanced to Benguela and Lobito. It was only on 4 November that they observed signs of any presence of Cuban personnel, namely, instructors at an MPLA training camp near Benguela.
South Africa also sent a senior officer to the headquarters of Mr. Holden Roberto, the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA) leader.
I may recall that the Special Committee against Apartheid constantly denounced the aggression by the apartheid regime against Angola from September 1975 when it became aware of the South African incursions. At that time, a number of Western Powers feigned ignorance of South African intervention and spread South African propaganda of massive Cuban intervention as an excuse for inaction.
I hope that the recent confessions by the apartheid regime will help to persuade them that it is a criminal and aggressive regime and a constant threat to peace. Effective action must be taken, under Chapter VII of the Charter, to curb this regime which continues to commit acts of aggression against Angola and other neighbouring States and has declared a virtual state of war within South Africa itself.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - CONCERNING SOUTH AFRICA'S MILITARY BUDGET, MARCH 3, 1977(14)
The announcement by the South African regime yesterday that it will greatly increase its military budget in 1977-78 to $1.9 billion is alarming, but not surprising.
It reflects on the one hand, the growth of national resistance against apartheid and for liberation; and, on the other, the determination by the apartheid regime to rely on ever-increasing violence and terror to perpetuate its domination.
I may recall that the South African military budget was 40 million rand in 1959-1960, the year of the Sharpeville massacre. It increased to 1,350 million rand - or 32.5 times - by 1976-1977, the year of the Soweto massacre. It will rise by another 21.3 per cent this year. The apartheid regime admits that it is engaged in a war against the great majority of the people of South Africa, and the people of Namibia. It is constantly increasing its military arsenal in order to threaten the independent African States.
One is entitled to ask: How many more Sharpevilles and Sowetos does that criminal regime need to precipitate and how much more does it need to increase its military budget before the major Western Powers will acknowledge that the situation is not merely a disturbance to peace under Chapter VII of the Charter?
The apartheid regime counts on foreign loans and investments to finance this military expansion. Much of the military budget is for acquisition of military equipment and supplies from a few Western countries.
I would, therefore, like to warn, on behalf of the Special Committee, that any loans to, or investments in, South Africa or military supplies to South Africa would constitute a collusion with the apartheid regime and an act of hostility against the people of South Africa and the people of Namibia, as well as the cause of peace and international cooperation.
MESSAGE BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - TO THE BRITISH ANTI-APARTHEID MOVEMENT, MARCH 21, 1977(15)
[The Chairman was informed by the British Anti-Apartheid Movement that a petition for a mandatory arms embargo with more than 60,000 signatures was presented on 21 March to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, David Owen, by a delegation including Jeremy Thorpe, M.P., Robert Hughes, M.P. and Chairman of the Movement and Abdul Minty, Honorary Secretary of the Movement. It read:
"I am totally opposed to the sale of arms to South Africa and believe that the British Government should implement a strict embargo on all military collaboration with the apartheid regime. I support a mandatory United Nations arms embargo against South Africa."
The Movement was holding a public meeting on 22 March, in a House of Commons committee room, to plan continuation of the campaign for a mandatory arms embargo.]
On behalf of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid I extend warm congratulations to the Anti-Apartheid Movement for its campaign for a mandatory arms embargo against South Africa and for organising a petition for this purpose signed by tens of thousands of persons.
An effective and comprehensive arms embargo against South Africa, prohibition of any assistance by corporations in the military build-up of the apartheid regime, and cessation of any form of military cooperation with that criminal regime are the minimum steps which any Government honestly opposing apartheid must take.
The Special Committee has been greatly disturbed at the stubborn resistance of the three big Western Powers to a mandatory arms embargo, continued military cooperation by several Western countries and Israel with South Africa, and big loopholes in the embargo by countries which claim to implement it. This is all in the face of growing repression, the wanton and indiscriminate killing of blacks in South Africa, retrogression rather than progress in the situation of blacks in that country, and the occupation of the Territory of Namibia by military force, frustrating the United Nations in fulfilling its sacred trust and responsibility to the territory and people of Namibia.
The Committee hopes the Security Council will decide on a mandatory embargo during its current discussion of the question of South Africa and that the three big Western Powers will facilitate the action.
Urgent mobilisation of public opinion in favour of action against apartheid in Western countries is imperative. I commend you for your cooperation."
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - CONCERNING REPORT BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION ON "APARTHEID AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE", MARCH 24, 1977(16)
The World Health Organisation has today published a report on Apartheid and Mental Health Care which is a shocking indictment of apartheid in South Africa and deserves the widest attention.
Last year, the Special Committee against Apartheid received alarming reports about the treatment of thousands of Africans herded into so-called mental institutions run by commercial companies intent on profiting from Government grants and forced labour. It requested the World Health Organisation (WHO) to look into the matter.
The World Health Organisation then undertook a full inquiry into the relevant legislation and its implementation, and consulted a large number of outstanding experts, in preparing its study.
This study reveals not merely gross discrimination against the African people in mental health care, but the callousness and inhumanity of the apartheid regime which refuses to treat the African people as human beings. There is no sign of improvement despite all the exhortations to that regime to abandon racial discrimination and despite all its propaganda.
The WHO study rightly described the treatment of African mental patients in the broader context of the apartheid policy which has already led to immense suffering and social disintegration.
I would like, on behalf of the Special Committee, to commend the WHO for this important study. I wish to express particular appreciation to the Director-General, Dr. Halfdan Mahler, and the Deputy Director-General, Dr. Thomas Lambo, who have personally directed the inquiry, for their great loyalty to the principles of the WHO Constitution and their commitment to human equality.
I would appeal to the medical profession, and to all organisations and peoples, to take urgent action to end the iniquities described in this study and assist the South African people to eradicate apartheid.
MESSAGE BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE STRUGGLING PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA, JUNE 16, 1977(17)
On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Struggling People of South Africa, the Special Committee against Apartheid pledges to do its utmost - in the discharge of its mandate - to promote international action to isolate the apartheid regime in South Africa and to assist the oppressed people of that country and their liberation movements in this crucial stage of their struggle for the total eradication of apartheid and the exercise of the inalienable right to self-determination by the people of South Africa as a whole, irrespective of race, colour or creed.
The International Day coincides with the anniversary of the ghastly massacre in Soweto on June 16, 1976, when the racist police killed and wounded hundreds of African school children demonstrating peacefully against the Bantu education system. That system, designed to keep the African people in perpetual subjugation, is but a part of the institutionalised system of racist domination and exploitation which goes by the name of apartheid.
The Soweto massacre ignited a national uprising which the apartheid regime has been unable to quell, despite continuous killings, torture, flogging and imprisonment of the black people and their leaders, as well as the persecution of a number of whites opposed to apartheid. The black people have demonstrated tremendous unity and courage in their uncompromising resistance to apartheid.
We, in the Special Committee, believe that it is utterly wrong to regard the Soweto massacre and its aftermath as an isolated event. There have been massacres in South Africa before the Sharpeville massacre and between 1960 and 1976. Every time the African people demonstrated massively for freedom or even for minimal rights, the racist regime resorted to a show of force and shooting - because it refuses to treat Africans as human beings and because the organisation and unity of the African majority drives it into panic.
What Soweto and its aftermath have shown is that whatever the limits of brutality and repression to which the apartheid regime may resort, it cannot suppress the urge of the people for freedom. The numerous repressive laws enacted between the Sharpeville and Soweto massacres have only steeled the oppressed people and their liberation movements.
The events since Soweto have unfolded a new and decisive stage of the struggle for liberation of South Africa. They have shown clearly that the liberation movements are the authentic representatives of the South African people.
The Special Committee is convinced that given the necessary international assistance, the South African people, under the leadership of their liberation movements, can destroy racism and establish a non-racial society in the near future.
It is our duty to lend them all such assistance, for their cause is the cause of all humanity.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - ON THE DEATH OF STEVEN BIKO, SEPTEMBER 13, 1977(18)
I was shocked to learn that Mr. Steven Biko, Honorary President of the Black People's Convention and an outstanding leader of the black consciousness movement in South Africa, died in detention on 12 September.
This is one more despicable crime by the apartheid regime which has murdered a score of patriots in the past year in its police cells. It is a crime against the oppressed people of South Africa, and indeed, against the United Nations which has proclaimed special responsibility for them. It shows that the apartheid regime is incorrigible, and that any hesitation or delay in decisive international action to enable the national liberation movement to destroy that regime is, in effect, a condonation of crimes against the patriots.
On behalf of the Special Committee against Apartheid, I appeal to all governments and peoples who respect the principles of the United Nations to denounce this new crime of the racists and exert their efforts for the immediate and full implementation of the Lagos Declaration for Action against Apartheid, and the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime against Apartheid.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - ON ARRESTS IN SOUTH AFRICA, OCTOBER 19, 1977(19)
The latest arrests of black leaders and bannings of organisations and newspapers in South Africa are the desperate acts of a dying regime denounced by the world for its cowardly murder of patriots in jail.
Again and again, especially since the Sharpeville massacre, the apartheid regime has resorted to brutal repression against the black people and all opponents of injustice whenever it was faced with righteous anger against its misdeeds. Every move by it to deceive the world, by pretending to seek peace, has been accompanied by intensified repression at home. Time and again it has announced that it had broken popular resistance, only to find it surge forward with new force. It has never learned and can never learn.
Its latest attack against the black consciousness movement which has played a historic and heroic role in uniting the black people for peaceful struggle against racist tyranny, and the Christian Institute of Southern Africa, which has courageously upheld the principles of justice, will no doubt fail. The struggle for freedom and human equality is irresistible, and will find new ways to assert itself.
But I would like to point out, on behalf of the Special Committee against Apartheid, that the apartheid regime, by suppressing even protests against heinous murders by its Security Police, is leaving no choice for the black people and all true democrats but an armed struggle to destroy the criminal regime and transfer power to the people.
The liberation movements of South Africa and the black consciousness movement have contributed inspiring chapters to the history of the struggle for freedom by non-violent means. If they are forced to abandon non-violence, their objective remains unchanged. It is essentially the application of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which has become the banner of revolution in South Africa. They deserve total support by the international community.
The apartheid regime has shown again today that it cannot be persuaded to reform and that there is no prospect of peaceful evolution so long as it remains in power and enjoys the benefits of international cooperation. Let those Western Powers which have expressed horror at the massacres since Soweto, and at the murders of Steve Biko and other patriots, abandon their equivocation and join the overwhelming majority of mankind in requisite action in defence of freedom and of the fighters for freedom in South Africa!
On behalf of the Special Committee, I renew the appeal addressed to all Heads of State, on the occasion of the Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners, for urgent and effective action in accordance with the United Nations Charter.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - ON NEW SOUTH AFRICAN REGULATIONS, NOVEMBER 14, 1977(20)
The proclamation by the apartheid regime of South Africa on 11 November authorising the Government to compel companies to produce and deliver arms and strategic materials is an effort by that regime to hold the foreign investors in South Africa as hostages. The regime had earlier forced foreign-owned companies to violate sanctions against Southern Rhodesia, with no resistance by the companies or Governments concerned. It now hopes to force the companies to circumvent any embargoes or sanctions against South Africa itself.
The latest action of the racist regime should alert Governments to take urgent action, not only to stop new investments in South Africa, but also to withdraw existing investments, so that foreign capital will not be used to supply the racist war machine and to defy United Nations decisions.
The Special Committee has warned for many years against increasing foreign investment in South Africa, and pointed out that a large proportion of that investment was directed into arms and strategic industries.
It will draw particular attention to the companies, fully or partly foreign-owned, which are producing supplies for the Defence Force and strategic materials. Any manoeuvres to camouflage foreign participation by registering in South Africa and taking in South African partners will be exposed and publicised.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - ON WITHDRAWAL OF POLAROID CORPORATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA, NOVEMBER 23, 1977(21)
On behalf of the Special Committee, I wish to express satisfaction that the Polaroid Corporation has decided to withdraw from South Africa.
I may recall that in 1970 a workers' committee at Polaroid headquarters, in Boston, demanded termination of operations in South Africa. The Special Committee supported the demand. The Polaroid Corporation, however, decided against withdrawal. It announced an "experiment" to improve the condition of black workers and to stop the supply of its products to the Government for use in implementing the hated pass laws.
After receiving evidence from the American Committee on Africa that its agent in South Africa, Frank and Hirsch, has continued secretly to supply Polaroid equipment to the South African military headquarters and the "Bantu Reference Bureau", the Polaroid Corporation has now cut off all shipments to South Africa from 21 November.
I hope that all other transnational corporations concerned will follow the example of the Polaroid Corporation. I would also hope that Polaroid will now reinstate the workers it had fired for their campaign against involvement in South Africa.
I note that the evidence was supplied to the American Committee on Africa by Mr. Indres Naidoo, a former employee of Frank and Hirsch in South Africa.
Mr. Naidoo is the grandson of the adopted son of Mahatma Gandhi and comes from a family which has made great sacrifices in the struggle against apartheid. He was sentenced in 1963 to 10 years' imprisonment for "sabotage" as member of the military wing of the African National Congress of South Africa. After release in 1973, he was restricted under "banning orders" and escaped from South Africa at the beginning of this year. His wife and child still live in South Africa.
I must express my admiration to Mr. Naidoo for his courageous act in the cause of liberation of South Africa.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) -
CONCERNING INQUEST OVER DEATH OF STEVE BIKO, DECEMBER 5, 1977(22)
The judgment of the magistrate in the inquest over the death of Mr. Steve Biko is a contemptible farce which can only be enacted by the institution of apartheid. It should open the eyes of those who saw a modicum of judicial propriety in racist courts managed by racist officials under racist laws.
I must congratulate the courageous Biko family and their able lawyers for laying bare the identity and the savagery of the murderers of Biko and their instigators and protectors. The people of South Africa and of the world have made their judgment, and the guilty men from the so-called Ministers to the Security Policemen will not escape just punishment.
The apartheid regime has followed the inquest with the arrest of the brother and cousin of Steve Biko and many of their colleagues. Their lives are in danger.
I wish to draw attention to the fact that the continued repression and acts of violence by the apartheid regime are a flagrant violation of the Security Council resolution of 29 October. The Council must take action, without any further delay, to stop its crimes. Exclusion of the apartheid regime from international organisations and from all benefits of international cooperation is the least that the international community should do.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - ON SO-CALLED "INDEPENDENCE" OF BOPHUTHATSWANA, DECEMBER 6, 1977(23)
The apartheid regime in South Africa is today perpetrating another fraud and a crime - the declaration of the so-called "independence" of the bantustan of Bophuthatswana.
This bantustan consists of six separate patches of land. Two-thirds of its two million so-called de jure "citizens" live outside the territory assigned to it. One-third of the people living within the territory are non-Tswanas. Only 6.6 per cent of the land is arable. It has some mines which are, however, all white-controlled.
Less than 14 per cent of the income of Tswanas is spent in the "homeland". A Government report of 1973 said that the per capita income of the Tswanas in the territory is one-sixth that of the Tswanas outside the territory. The bantustan is thus no more than a reserve for cheap labour, and a dumping ground for the old and the infirm.
The apartheid regime and its minion in Bophuthatswana rejected a referendum on "independence" and instead held elections to the "legislative assembly" of the bantustan which consists of 48 Government-appointed chiefs and 48 "elected" members. All but one of the chiefs support Chief Lucas Mangope, the "Chief Minister" who plotted the "independence" with the Vorster regime.
Most Tswanas refused to participate in the elections. Of the 1,500,000 Tswanas eligible to register, only 375,000 registered, and of them only 50 per cent voted. In the Johannesburg area, only 4,500 of the 170,000 eligible voters registered and only about 500 voted.
It was on the basis of this farcical election that Chief Mangope claims 44 of the 48 "elected" seats, five of which were uncontested.
The fraudulent independence of Bophuthatswana has been strongly opposed by the Tswana people who have participated heroically in the national uprising since the Soweto massacre of 16 June 1976. Numerous Tswanas are now in detention under the security laws of the apartheid regime. The Tswana people burned the "Legislative Assembly" of the bantustan, and Chief Mangope had to flee from many public meetings because of their opposition. Even his own son had been arrested for participation in demonstrations against the bantustans.
On 25 July 1977, the Black People's Convention and a number of other black organisations - many of whom have since been banned - warned Chief Lucas Mangope to stop allowing himself to be used as a pawn by the apartheid regime in its policy or face serious consequences. They declared that South Africa belongs to all its inhabitants, and that no one has a right to balkanise it. The policy of "separate development", they said, "is and will always remain a blatant aggression against the black people of South Africa".
They said in an open letter to Chief Mangope:
"The Black People's Convention (BPC) and the other organisations here mentioned, who are the true representatives of the people, bring to your notice that you will not escape the judgment of history or the consequences that will necessarily follow with the liberation of the people of South Africa. People like yourself who play an opportunist game for personal gain will succeed only in the short term, but in the unfolding of events you will be overtaken by the forces of justice and freedom, which have never been quenched in the hearts of the black people of South Africa."
They warned Chief Mangope:
"We place on record that we call upon you not to sell the souls of the people who reside in your part of South Africa.
"The people do not want it.
"You are not in a position to be independent. You will never become independent. You are inherently a part of South Africa, a part of the family of the people of South Africa. You can no more become independent than a hand is independent of its body.
"History, foreseeable history, will judge you and will sentence you."
The establishment of the bantustans is part of the diabolic scheme of the apartheid regime to perpetuate white domination in 87 per cent of the country which produces 97 per cent of the gross domestic product, and relegates the Africans to 13 per cent of the land divided into uneconomic and disjointed reserves. It is meant to segregate Africans into "buffer states" and use them as cannon fodder.
Just as the apartheid regime subjected Lesotho to pressure and threats because it refused to accept the Transkei "independence", it may well exert pressure on Botswana to press it to accept the bantustan of Bophuthatswana. But it will fail: the Government of Botswana has already categorically denounced the bantustan policy.
I am glad that all Governments in the world have now totally rejected bantustans.
I call on them to refrain from any dealings, direct or indirect, with the bantustan authorities, and to provide all necessary assistance to Lesotho and Botswana.
In rejecting bantustans, we declare that all the people of South Africa - including the people of Transkei and Bophuthatswana - retain their rights in the whole of South Africa.
The destiny of South Africa will be decided by all the people of that country on the basis of full equality. The plots of the apartheid regime to deprive the African majority of its inalienable rights will be destroyed. The African chiefs who choose to sell the birthright of their people will face the judgment of history and of the people of South Africa.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - URGING TRADE UNIONS AND OTHERS TO REPORT BREACHES OF ARMS EMBARGO, DECEMBER 15, 1977(24)
In the resolution on "military and nuclear collaboration with South Africa" adopted yesterday, the General Assembly called for the effective implementation and extension of the mandatory arms embargo instituted by the Security Council in resolution 418 of November 4, 1977. It authorised the Special Committee against Apartheid to follow and publicise all developments concerning military and nuclear collaboration with the racist regime of South Africa, report any violations of resolution 418 to the Security Council, and encourage campaigns to promote a total cessation of military and nuclear collaboration with the racist regime.
The Special Committee has constantly stressed the vital importance of an arms embargo against the Pretoria regime. That regime has built up an enormous military arsenal in order to suppress the legitimate struggle of the oppressed people, to threaten and attack independent African States which support the national liberation movement, and to entice Western Powers into an alliance to preserve the status quo. The mandatory arms embargo is the result of a long struggle by the national liberation movement and its friends. It cannot be allowed to fail.
The Special Committee undertakes to do all in its power to secure the full implementation of the embargo and its extension to cover all cooperation with the apartheid regime in the military and nuclear fields.
Towards this end, I appeal for the cooperation of all organisations and individuals committed to freedom and human equality. I invite them in particular to inform the Special Committee of any breaches or planned breaches of the embargo by governmental agencies, corporations and institutions. I address a special appeal to trade unionists in Western countries to lend their cooperation to the Special Committee and take all appropriate action in support of the embargo.
I would draw their attention to the specific provisions of the General Assembly resolution which call upon all Governments to implement the arms embargo "irrespective of any existing contracts and licences already issued and to ensure that all corporations, organisations and individuals within their jurisdiction abide by its provisions". The Assembly called on all Governments:
Any relevant information on violations of the embargo may be addressed to:
The Chairman
Special Committee against Apartheid
United Nations New York, New York 10017
United States of America
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - CONCERNING GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION ON INVESTMENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA, DECEMBER 19, 1977(25)
The resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 16 December 1977 on "investments in South Africa" is limited in scope as it calls for Security Council action only towards "the cessation of further foreign investments in South Africa". But it is a highly significant partial measure in the present situation.
The resolution recognises clearly that foreign investments "abet and encourage the apartheid policies" of South Africa. It notes that while there has recently been a decrease in the flow of new foreign investments into South Africa, a number of foreign economic and financial interests have continued and increased their investments. This factual statement must not be misunderstood.
There has indeed been a decrease in the net flow of new foreign investment into South Africa since the collapse of the South African aggression in Angola and especially the national uprising which followed the Soweto massacre of 16 June 1976.
According to the South African Reserve Bank, the net inflow of foreign investment between 1 July 1975 and 30 June 1976 was 1,707 million rand. In the second half of 1976, there was a net inflow of 528 million rand, while in the first half of 1977 there was a net outflow of 649 million rand.
The decrease in new investment - and indeed the outflow in the first half of 1977 - is largely due to the flight of short-term capital. International financial institutions have also been wary of granting large new credits to South Africa as it has already over-borrowed.
But the big transnationals which have large direct investments in South Africa are continuing to expand those investments in addition to reinvesting much of their exorbitant profits.
I would recall that immediately after the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, there was a large-scale flight of short-term capital from South Africa. However, capital flows to South Africa increased to phenomenal rates as soon as the apartheid regime suppressed resistance by ruthless measures, increased its military budget and provided new incentives to foreign capital.
There is every danger that the same tragic drama will be repeated unless the Security Council adopts a mandatory decision requiring all States to enact laws to stop further investment in South Africa.
On behalf of the Special Committee, I wish to commend Nordic and other States which have taken measures towards this end. I also wish to commend numerous church, trade union, student and other organisations which have campaigned for an end to investments in South Africa. But I must note with concern that many corporations are making hypocritical statements about opposition to apartheid and willingness to adopt "codes of conduct", while continuing to increase their investments and profits from apartheid. Some of them profess opposition to apartheid in their home countries but affirm confidence in the apartheid regime in South Africa.
A few examples are illustrative.
Other companies planning increased investments include Olivetti, Italy; Blackwood Hodge, United Kingdom; and Baker International Group, United States.
I must warn, on behalf of the Special Committee, that every dollar invested in South Africa is a vote of confidence in the apartheid regime and a challenge to the United Nations. The Special Committee will, in cooperation with appropriate groups, monitor all new investments and encourage firm action by Governments and organisations against the corporations which fail to heed repeated warnings to cease their collaboration with the apartheid regime.
MESSAGE BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - TO ROGER MANSER, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH AND STUDENT MOVEMENT FOR THE UNITED NATIONS (ISMUN), GENEVA, ON THE "DAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA", MARCH 1, 1978(26)
I wish to commend the timely initiative of the International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations in organising a day of solidarity with conscientious objectors in southern Africa, to show support to young people who are refusing to join racist armed forces utilised to enforce the subjugation of the black people and to commit acts of aggression against independent African States.
I hope that all organisations concerned will join with ISMUN in persuading the white youth of South Africa to dissociate themselves from the crimes of the apartheid regime and in assisting those who are obliged to escape from the country for reasons of conscience.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - FOR UNITED NATIONS RADIO PROGRAMME TO SOUTH AFRICA, MARCH 1, 1978(27)
Less than three months ago, the General Assembly requested the United Nations Secretariat to undertake, in cooperation with Member States whose transmitters can be heard in Southern Africa, a regular programme of radio broadcasts directed at South Africa. The Assembly specified that these broadcasts should be concerned with United Nations efforts against apartheid and in support of the right of self-determination, as well as with related matters of interest to the peoples of Southern Africa. The Assembly also urged Member States whose radio transmitters can reach South Africa and adjacent territories to make available transmission facilities for these broadcasts.
I am delighted that there has been rapid progress in the implementation of this resolution and that today the first daily programme is being produced. I am also grateful to those Member States which have agreed either to broadcast these programmes in full or to make use of the material contained therein in their own programming.
These United Nations programmes will come to you seven days a week, 365 days a year. They will be in four languages: English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Sotho.
Some recent newspaper stories concerning these broadcasts have referred to them as "propaganda". This is a misstatement. In the first place, the United Nations Secretariat is explicitly enjoined by the General Assembly from engaging in "propaganda"; its output must at all times be factual and objective. In the second place, there is no need for"propaganda" in the case of apartheid; the facts speak for themselves and are far more persuasive than any "propaganda" could ever be.
The purpose of these programmes, therefore, is to present the facts - above all, the fact that the Government of South Africa, because of its apartheid policies, today is a virtual outcast from the international community. The purpose of these programmes is also to drive home the point to the privileged minority of South Africa not only that apartheid is morally repugnant but that it is doomed to failure. Finally, the programmes will aim at reassuring the oppressed peoples of Southern Africa that international support for their just cause is growing from day to day.
These daily programmes will provide a faithful chronicle of international action against apartheid and related evils. They will contain the views of representatives of United Nations Member States, of spokesmen for the national liberation movement, of officials of various non-governmental organisations, and of eminent individuals who are concerned with apartheid. As a result of these programmes, I sincerely hope that public opinion in South Africa will increasingly realise the full depth of the isolation in which the regime in South Africa finds itself in today's world. I am also confident that these programmes will help bring the day nearer when the blot of apartheid is erased from the face of humanity. As Chairman of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid, I wish these broadcasts every success.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - CALLING FOR COMPLETE CESSATION OF ALL INVESTMENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA, MARCH 13, 1978(28)
The announcement by the Citibank that it will refrain from loans to the apartheid regime in South Africa and its parastatal corporations, is to be welcomed, but only as a first and limited step. There must be a complete cessation of all investments in South Africa, and all loans and credits to South Africa, as well as indirect assistance through export financing and guarantees, until apartheid is eradicated and the South African people as a whole exercise their right of self-determination.
The financial institutions, which have acted as bankers for racism in South Africa, bear a heavy responsibility for the build-up of the military and repressive apparatus of the racist regime, and for its defiance of the international community. They must be persuaded, by all appropriate means, to cease all their operations in South Africa.
I commend the many churches, trade unions and other organisations in the United States, including particularly the American Committee on Africa, for their campaign to press all banks to terminate their collaboration with South Africa.
I wish to assure them that the Special Committee will, as part of its programme for the International Anti-apartheid Year, call on all governments and organisations - including, first of all the United Nations and its agencies - to cease cooperation with financial institutions which continue to provide loans and credits to South Africa.
MESSAGE BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - TO ABDUL S. MINTY, HONORARY SECRETARY OF THE ANTI-APARTHEID MOVEMENT, LONDON, WELCOMING THE DECISION TO LAUNCH A WORLD CAMPAIGN AGAINST MILITARY AND NUCLEAR COLLABORATION WITH SOUTH AFRICA, MARCH 21, 1978(29)
I am happy to hear that the Anti-Apartheid Movement has decided to launch a World Campaign against Military and Nuclear Collaboration with South Africa, as suggested by me after the World Conference for Action against Apartheid, held in Lagos last August.
I believe that the decision of the Security Council, on 4 November 1977, to impose a mandatory arms embargo against South Africa makes the campaign even more urgent and important. An alert public opinion is essential in order to ensure the implementation of the resolution of the Security Council and thereby strengthen the credibility of international action.
Moreover, the Special Committee is most concerned at certain restrictive interpretations of the arms embargo and the continued sale of supplies for the South African Defence Forces - such as telecommunications equipment, computers, dual purpose aircraft etc. - by foreign companies and their South African subsidiaries.
I hope that the campaign will be organised soon and will develop an effective programme for the International Anti-Apartheid Year in order to make public opinion aware of the growing threat posed by the apartheid regime to peace and security, of the grave and imminent menace of the acquisition of nuclear weapons by that desperate regime, and of the need for a strengthening of the embargo on military and nuclear collaboration with South Africa.
I wish you success and assure you of the full support of the Special Committee against Apartheid.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - WELCOMING MESSAGE FROM INTERNATIONAL POLICE OFFICERS' GROUP, MARCH 22, 1978(30)
I have received a message from the "Union International des Syndicats de Police", Hilden, Federal Republic of Germany, conveying the solidarity of the 393,000 police officers organised within the UISP with the International Anti-Apartheid Year, and assuring that "we will continue our efforts in order to prevent that the police is misused as an instrument of suppression by Governments which are still applying racial discrimination and apartheid".
I note this message with great satisfaction.
STATEMENT BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE REGARDING NIGERIA'S ACTION AGAINST BARCLAYS BANK, APRIL 4, 1978(31)
The Special Committee has noted with great satisfaction that the Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered all its agencies in the public sector to withdraw their accounts from the Barclays Bank of Nigeria, which is partly owned by the Barclays Bank of the United Kingdom. It has also ordered one-third of the expatriate staff of the Bank to leave Nigeria within one month.
The Government of Nigeria has announced that it has taken these measures since the Barclays Bank of the United Kingdom has continued, and declared its intention to continue, collaboration with the apartheid system in South Africa under which untold hardships are being inflicted daily upon millions of Africans in southern Africa.
These measures are in pursuance of the solemn declaration made by the Head of State of Nigeria, His Excellency Lt. General Olusegun Obasanjo, in opening the World Conference for Action against Apartheid in Lagos on 22 August 1977:
"We find it difficult to fraternise with enterprises and organisations that are party to the system that holds our brothers and sisters in southern Africa in bondage and regards us on account of our colour as sub-human. We cannot continue to cooperate with those that benefit from us while at the same time reap large profits from the sweat and blood of our brothers and sisters held in slavery. It is our sovereign duty to review our relationship with them and take appropriate action...
"We are mounting a surveillance on all those enterprises who depend on our raw materials and markets but continue to help our enemies. Such enterprises must decide now to choose between us and our enemies and all that goes with their choice. We have a festering sore on which these flies have landed and are feeding in full glare of the world. And when we move to destroy these flies, no one should complain."
The Special Committee expresses its great appreciation and admiration to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the measures it has taken in solidarity with the oppressed people of South Africa and their national liberation movement. It considers that they are an important contribution to the observance of the International Anti-Apartheid Year, and represent a new level of action against the apartheid regime and its collaborators.
The Special Committee earnestly hopes that all other States would consider similar action against multinational corporations engaged in abetting and encouraging the criminal policy of apartheid by their operations and investments in South Africa.
STATEMENT BY THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE CONDEMNING SOUTH AFRICAN AGGRESSION AGAINST ANGOLA AND MASSACRE OF NAMIBIAN REFUGEES AT KASSINGA, 9 May 1978(46)
The Special Committee against Apartheid strongly condemns the criminal aggression by the apartheid regime of South Africa against the People's Republic of Angola.
This blatant aggression involving the murder of men, women and children in the Namibian refugee camps at Kassinga as well as of Angolan civilians proves beyond any shadow of doubt that the apartheid regime is an incorrigible international criminal relentlessly pursuing its aim of racist domination of southern Africa. In the pursuit of this diabolical plan, the apartheid regime has become the greatest threat to the stability, security and integrity of neighbouring States.
The present aggression is the latest in the series of crimes indulged in by the minority racist regime both inside and outside South Africa and constitutes another act of blatant defiance of the United Nations and the international community.
The Pretoria regime has invaded Angola from Namibia, an international territory which it has illegally occupied and militarized, turning it into a springboard for armed invasions of neighbouring countries. It committed this crime on the day after the special session of the General Assembly on Namibia had adopted a declaration and programme of action for the genuine independence of Namibia. It has thereby attempted to intimidate SWAPO, the heroic and authentic liberation movement of Namibia, as well as Angola, in a desperate attempt to set up a puppet regime in Namibia.
Two years ago, in March 1976, the Security Council denounced the massive aggression by the Pretoria regime against the People's Republic of Angola and demanded that it pay compensation to Angola. The Pretoria regime, in total defiance of the resolution has constantly committed numerous acts of aggression against the Government and people of Angola in the hope of undermining the security and territorial integrity of that country.
The apartheid regime has been emboldened to pursue its crimes because
of the continued unwillingness of the Western Powers, particularly the permanent members of the Security Council, to take decisive action which is clearly called for under the Charter, The regime has utilized military equipment supplied to it by Western Powers, ostensibly for defensive purposes.
The latest aggression against Angola confirms the repeated warning of the Special Committee that the apartheid regime constitutes a serious threat to the security of all States within its reach which assist the liberation movements in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations.
The Government and people of Angola deserve commendation and full support of the international community for their assistance to the refugees from Namibia and South Africa and for their courageous opposition to the apartheid regime. They have risked their security in support of the struggle of the oppressed people of southern Africa for liberation and to the principles of the United Nations. The attack against Angola is an attack against Africa and against the United Nations.
The time for mere condemnations and warnings to the apartheid regime is over. The time for action is long overdue. So long as the Western Powers continue to collaborate with the apartheid regime, the danger of wider conflict will remain.
We must demand that the Western Powers and all the trading partners of South Africa join with the rest of humanity to ensure the full implementation of the arms embargo against South Africa and firm action to prevent the apartheid regime from acquiring nuclear weapons; the imposition of mandatory and comprehensive oil sanctions against South Africa.
There is no excuse for any further delay in totally excluding the apartheid regime from the United Nations and all associated organizations.
The Special Committee calls on all Governments and organizations to express by action their full solidarity with the Government and people of Angola and with the national liberation movements of Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, which are playing a crucial and heroic role in the struggle for the emancipation of Africa and for international peace.
It appeals to them to exert all their influence towards concerted world action to quarantine and punish the racist aggressors in southern Africa.
Finally, the Special Committee extends its deep sympathy and solidarity to the Government and people of Angola, led by President Agostinho Neto, and to the South West Africa People’s Organization. The Special Committee pledges to redouble its efforts towards the eradication of apartheid and the liberation of South Africa.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - ON AFRICA LIBERATION DAY, MAY 25, 1978(32)
On the occasion of the Africa Liberation Day, I extend my greetings on behalf of the Special Committee against Apartheid to the national liberation movement of South Africa, to all those engaged in the righteous and heroic struggle for the liberation of that country from racist tyranny, and to all those who are languishing in racist prisons for their participation in that struggle. I pay tribute to the memory of men, women and children who gave their lives for the cause of freedom and human dignity in South Africa.
The struggle for liberation in South Africa is today the crucial front in the final battle for the total emancipation of the continent of Africa from centuries of oppression, humiliation and plunder, and in the efforts of humanity to rid the world of racism. It is of direct concern not only to the oppressed people of South Africa, but to Governments and peoples all over the world.
The General Assembly has solemnly proclaimed, on the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations in 1975, the special responsibility of the United Nations and the international community towards the oppressed people of South Africa and their national liberation movement, and towards those imprisoned, restricted or exiled for their struggle against apartheid. It adopted a Programme of Action against Apartheid in 1976 and proclaimed the year beginning on 21 March 1978 as the International Anti-apartheid Year in order to concert and intensity international action for the total eradication of apartheid.
The Special Committee expresses the hope that the observance of the International Year will lead to the imposition of total sanctions against the apartheid regime and to greater political and material support to the national liberation movement of South Africa.
I would recall that it is 30 years since the apartheid regime came to power determined to impose a system of neo-slavery by blood and terror, in open defiance of the United Nations and the conscience of humanity. For 30 years, it has committed heinous crimes against the people of South Africa and the principles of the United Nations. For 30 years, the oppressed people of South Africa have waged a heroic struggle for freedom and human dignity at great sacrifice.
Let us, on this occasion, pledge all our efforts to suppress and punish, without further delay, the crime of apartheid; to prevent the activities of selfish interests which profit from apartheid and reinforce that inhuman system; and to demonstrate, by action, our total solidarity with the national liberation movement which has not only struggled heroically for the liberation of its people, but has made a notable contribution to the principles and purposes of the United Nations.
On this fifteenth anniversary of Africa Liberation Day, I reaffirm the pledge of the Special Committee, in close cooperation with the Organisation of African Unity, to redouble its efforts for the liberation of South Africa.
APPEAL BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - FOR OBSERVANCE OF SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY OF NELSON MANDELA (JULY 18, 1978), MAY 31, 1978 (33)
The Special Committee against Apartheid has decided to promote the world-wide observance of the sixtieth birthday of Nelson Mandela on 18 July 1978, in tribute to his outstanding contribution to the struggle for liberation in South Africa.
Mr. Mandela has been active in the national liberation movement since 1944 when he joined the African National Congress and its Youth League. He became Deputy National President of the African National Congress in 1952 and was volunteer-in-chief in the Campaign of Defiance of Unjust Laws in that year. This campaign, during which 8,500 volunteers courted imprisonment, led to the decision of the United Nations General Assembly to consider the problem of apartheid in South Africa.
He was an organiser of the All-in African Convention in 1961 - which called for a national convention of representatives of all the people of South Africa to work out a new democratic constitution - and was elected chairman of the National Action Council which was set up to implement its decisions. He went underground and led the nationwide strike on 29, 30 and 31 May 1961 against the establishment of a so-called "republic" of South Africa. He visited a number of African countries to meet Heads of State and Government, and to attend the Conference of the Pan African Freedom Movement of East, Central and Southern Africa.
Meanwhile, he was chosen the leader of Umkhonto We Sizwe ("Spear of the Nation") established by the African National Congress and associated organisations for military and underground activity. It organised hundreds of cases of sabotage all over the country between December 1961 and mid-1963.
Mr. Mandela was arrested in August 1962 and was the principal accused in the "Rivonia Trial" in which he and seven other co-defendants (Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada, Govan Mbeki, Dennis Goldberg, Raymond Mhlaba, Elias Matsoaledi and Andrew Mlangeni) were sentenced on 12 June 1964 to life imprisonment. It may be recalled that the United Nations General Assembly condemned that trial in resolution 1881 (XVIII) of 11 October 1963 - a day which was subsequently proclaimed by the General Assembly as the Day of Solidarity with South African Political Prisoners.
The Special Committee considers it most appropriate that the sixtieth birthday of Mr. Mandela is observed, as widely as possible, not only to pay tribute to him, but to publicise the heroic struggle of the national liberation movement to which he dedicated his life, and to demand the immediate release of all political prisoners, detainees and restrictees in South Africa.
On behalf of the Special Committee, I have the honour to appeal to Your Excellency's Government to observe this event, and to encourage public organisations, institutions and the information media to undertake appropriate observances. I would suggest the following activities for that occasion:
TELEGRAM BY LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA), CHAIRMAN OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE, TO NELSON MANDELA IN CONNECTION WITH HIS SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY, JULY 17, 1978(34)
Telegram to Mr. Nelson Mandela in Robben Island prison
ON BEHALF OF UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMITTEE AGAINST APARTHEID, I EXTEND YOU WARM GREETINGS ON YOUR SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY. YOUR COURAGE, CONVICTION AND SACRIFICE WILL CONTINUE TO INSPIRE EVER LARGER SEGMENTS OF WORLD OPINION UNTIL SOUTH AFRICA IS LIBERATED. SPECIAL COMMITTEE PLEDGES INTENSIFY EFFORTS TO MOBILISE GOVERNMENTS AND PEOPLES OF WORLD FOR UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND FOR FULL SUPPORT TO NATIONAL LIBERATION MOVEMENT IN ITS JUST STRUGGLE FOR ERADICATION OF APARTHEID AND ESTABLISHMENT OF NON-RACIAL SOCIETY.
[ Mr. Harrison also sent the following telegram to Mrs. Nomzamo Winnie Mandela, who was restricted to Brandfort, Orange Free State
ON BEHALF OF UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMITTEE AGAINST APARTHEID, I HAVE HONOUR TO EXTEND YOU WARM GREETINGS ON OCCASION OF SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY OF NELSON MANDELA. SPECIAL COMMITTEE HAS CALLED FOR WORLD-WIDE OBSERVANCE OF THIS EVENT IN TRIBUTE TO HIS COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP AND IN SOLIDARITY WITH POLITICAL PRISONERS AND LIBERATION MOVEMENT.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE HAS CONSTANTLY EMPHASISED THAT POLITICAL PRISONERS IN SOUTH AFRICA ARE THE AUTHENTIC LEADERS OF THE OPPRESSED PEOPLE IN THEIR JUST STRUGGLE AGAINST CRIMINAL REGIME. INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITY TO SECURE THEIR RELEASE AND ENABLE SOUTH AFRICAN PEOPLE TO EXERCISE INALIENABLE RIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION ON BASIS OF HUMAN EQUALITY.
I WISH TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR BRAVE RESISTANCE AGAINST APARTHEID IN FACE OF CRUEL AND UNNECESSARY HARASSMENT AND REPRESSION. PLEASE CONVEY OUR REGARDS TO YOUR TWO DAUGHTERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED GRIEVOUSLY FROM PERSECUTION OF THEIR PARENTS BUT HAVE BEEN SUSTAINED BY FAITH THAT THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM WILL TRIUMPH.]
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - CONDEMNING THE DEATH SENTENCE IMPOSED ON SOLOMON MAHLANGU, JULY 19, 1978(35)
I am deeply concerned that the apartheid regime in South Africa is persisting in its plans to execute Solomon Mahlangu, the young African freedom fighter.
The execution of Mr. Mahlangu will not just be another case of murder by the apartheid regime, which has shocked the world by its indiscriminate and cowardly killing of school children and unarmed refugees. It will be a calculated act of "judicial murder" and will have serious repercussions.
The United Nations has recognised the right of the oppressed people to resort to armed struggle for liberation from the criminal apartheid regime and no racist court can legitimately convict captured freedom fighters. The execution of patriots will only undermine any possibilities of peaceful solutions, but will not stop the inevitable march of freedom.
It is remarkable that the millions of oppressed people have held up the ideal of non-racialism, despite all the repression, while the minority racist regime is constantly provoking a suicidal conflict.
I appeal to all those who believe in freedom and human dignity, and the principle of non-racialism, to stay the hands of the executioners of apartheid before they precipitate a catastrophe.
The lives of all Mahlangus can be saved and South Africa spared a disaster if all Governments and peoples take timely and decisive action.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - CONCERNING VISIT OF SOUTH AFRICAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO PARAGUAY, AUGUST 23, 1978(36)
I am surprised and shocked to hear that the Foreign Minister of the apartheid regime of South Africa visited Paraguay last week for the inauguration of its President and called for an alliance between that regime and countries of the Western Hemisphere. The Special Committee has followed with grave concern the growing political, military and economic collaboration between the Pretoria regime and Paraguay, and has drawn the attention of Paraguay to the fact that such collaboration is in flagrant contravention of United Nations resolutions. On behalf of the Special Committee against Apartheid, I appeal to all Latin American countries to exert their influence toward cessation of collaboration with the apartheid regime and to denounce moves for any military agreement with that regime.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - COMMENDING DECISIONS OF NORDIC FOREIGN MINISTERS FOR FURTHER ACTION TO END THE APARTHEID SYSTEM, SEPTEMBER 8, 1978(37)
I have noted with satisfaction that the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Nordic countries, at their recent session in Stockholm from 31 August to 1 September 1978, decided in favour of further action to put an end to the apartheid system. The communique of the session stated inter alia:
"The Ministers condemned the South African apartheid regime's continued oppression of the majority of the population. The international pressure on South Africa must be increased with the aim to put an end to the apartheid system. On the basis of the joint Nordic Programme of Action against South Africa adopted at the Foreign Ministers' meeting in Oslo on March 9-10, 1978, the Ministers considered the possibilities of new Nordic proposals in the United Nations which may gain the widest possible support and lead to resolutions against South Africa in the Security Council. The Ministers agreed to extend the Programme of Action against South Africa by the introduction of visa requirements for South African citizens. They discussed concrete measures for bringing to an end all sport contacts with the apartheid regime. This question will be brought to the attention of the sport organisations in each Nordic country. The Ministers instructed the Nordic working group for measures against South Africa to continue its work."
The decision to end visa-free entry to South Africans, which followed an appeal by the Special Committee against Apartheid, demonstrates once again the readiness of Nordic States to give serious consideration to measures against apartheid and their cooperation with the Special Committee. While expressing great appreciation to the Nordic States for their decisions on visas and on the ending of sports contacts with South Africa, I would like to renew my appeal to all other States concerned for similar action during this International Anti-Apartheid Year.
I look forward to closest consultation between the Special Committee and the representatives of Nordic States on proposals for action against apartheid by the General Assembly and the Security Council.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - CONCERNING OBSERVANCE BY AMERICAN CITIES OF ANTI-APARTHEID DAY, OCTOBER 10, 1978(38)
I wish to express my great satisfaction that the cities of New York (New York), Detroit (Michigan), Highland Park (Michigan), Gary (Indiana), and Atlanta (Georgia) are proclaiming 11 October 1978 as Anti-Apartheid Day, in response to my appeals.
The City of Newark, New Jersey, has already proclaimed 16 April as Anti-Apartheid Day.
The cooperation of these cities of the United States of America in the observance of International Anti-Apartheid Year is a significant act of support to the United Nations and of solidarity with the struggle of the oppressed people of South Africa.
On behalf of the Special Committee, I commend the Mayors concerned:
Edward Koch of New York
Coleman Young of Detroit
Jesse P. Miller of Highland Park
Richard Hatcher of Gary
Maynard Jackson of Atlanta
Kenneth Gibson of Newark
I would express the hope that other cities of the United States of America would follow their example, and that all Governments will encourage cities in their countries to take similar actions.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - ON DEMOLITION OF CROSSROADS, NOVEMBER 20, 1978(39)
I have received information that the apartheid regime of South Africa is proceeding with plans to bulldoze the community of Crossroads near Cape Town, in the next few days. It has mobilised the army and police to carry out this inhuman measure with a massive show of force and at the risk of danger to lives of black people.
Crossroads is a community of twenty thousand African people who have lived there for many years. The regime wants to destroy the community in pursuance of its plan to exclude Africans from the area. It claims that many of its inhabitants, especially women and children, are illegally in the area since its policy is to allow only the able-bodied men to live in the Western Cape as migrant workers to minister to the needs of the whites. It has already destroyed similar communities near Cape Town and deported most of their inhabitants to desolated areas."
The criminal plans of the apartheid regime have evoked strong condemnation in South Africa and abroad. Police raids on Crossroads have already led to a number of deaths.
On behalf of the Special Committee against Apartheid, I would emphasise that the implementation of the plans of the apartheid regime would constitute a serious international crime. That illegitimate minority racist regime has no right to deport the majority of the population in pursuance of its inhuman policy which has been denounced as a crime against humanity.
I appeal to all Governments and organisations to denounce the apartheid regime and prevent it from perpetrating the crime against the people of Crossroads.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - LESLIE O. HARRIMAN (NIGERIA) - ON
A LOAN TO SOUTH AFRICA BY EUROPEAN BANKS, DECEMBER 7, 1978(40)
My attention has been drawn to an announcement by the Minister of Finance of the South African racist regime, Senator Owen Horwood, that South Africa had raised a $250 million loan with leading European banks. He said that it was the first time in two years that South Africa has had access to the international capital market.
In this connection, I would recall that the General Assembly had, by overwhelming majorities in 1976 and 1977, urged the Security Council to take action to stop all new investment in South Africa. But the Security Council has failed to act on the proposal of non-aligned states last January for such action.
I have repeatedly warned, on behalf of the Special Committee against Apartheid, that the hesitation of transnational corporations and financial institutions since the Soweto massacre of 1976 to invest in South Africa should not lead to complacence. I recalled that there had been a flight of capital from South Africa after the Sharpeville massacre, but investments were resumed as soon as the apartheid regime was able to "stabilise" the situation by brutal repression. I stressed the need for effective action by the Security Council and legislation by all States concerned.
The insensitivity of the financial institutions in some European countries to the plight of the oppressed people of South Africa, and the inaction of the Governments concerned, are shocking, especially at a time when the apartheid regime is openly defying the world in Namibia. The recent loan is also an affront to the millions of trade unionists and students, as well as churches, in Western countries who have demanded an end to the financing of apartheid.
I hope that the General Assembly and the Security Council will urgently take measures to stop all further investments in, and loans to, South Africa.
Every dollar invested in South Africa is an expression of confidence in apartheid and an encouragement to the apartheid regime.
STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN OF UN SPECIAL COMMITTEE AGAINST APARTHEID, LESLIE O. HARRIMAN, ON THE EXECUTION OF SOLOMON MAHLANGU, APRIL 6, 1979
The Special Committee against Apartheid has learnt with deep sorrow and indignation the news that the racist regime of South Africa this morning executed Solomon Mahlangu together with four other patriots. This dastardly act has been carried out despite appeals and demands by the United Nations Security Council, various Governments, public organisations and prominent individuals.
The humanitarian appeals made by a number of world leaders, as well as by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to save the life of Solomon Mahlangu were also not heeded.
The Special Committee against Apartheid strongly condemns this senseless and abominable act which has been perpetrated in utter defiance of the United Nations and world public opinion. It is clear that the racist apartheid regime of South Africa is bent on eliminating all opposition to its apartheid policies and, in doing so, demonstrates clearly that it intends to perpetuate its illegal racist minority rule in South Africa.
The recalcitrant attitude of the racist regime leaves no choice to the United Nations and the international community at large but to continue their struggle against that regime with greater intensity by all available means, including those provided for under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The Special Committee appeals to all Governments, international organisations and the public to redouble their efforts for the speedy elimination of apartheid - a crime against humanity and the evil of our time.
On this sad occasion, the Special Committee against Apartheid expresses its deep feeling of sorrow to the bereaved families of Solomon Mahlangu and the four other patriots and reaffirms once again its full solidarity in support of the sacred struggle for the liberation of the oppressed people of South Africa.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - B. AKPORODE CLARK (NIGERIA) - HONOURING MEMORY OF IMAM HARON, SEPTEMBER 27, 1979(41)
Ten years ago today, Imam Hadj Abdullah Haron, a prominent Moslem and community leader in Cape Town, died in prison in South Africa as a result of brutal assaults by the Security Police.
Imam Haron had earned the wrath of the apartheid regime because of his firm opposition to racial discrimination as contrary to the teachings of the Koran, and for his humanitarian assistance to the victims of racial discrimination and repression. He was detained by the Security Police on May 28, 1969, the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, and held incommunicado until his death four months later. A post mortem disclosed 26 bruises on the body and a broken rib.
In honouring the memory of the late Imam Haron and other martyrs in the struggle against apartheid, the Special Committee once again pledges all efforts to promote effective international action to eradicate apartheid.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - B. AKPORODE CLARK (NIGERIA) - APPEALING FOR SOLIDARITY WITH CHILDREN OF SOUTHERN AFRICA, OCTOBER 15, 1979(42)
The International Seminar on Children under Apartheid, organised by the Special Committee against Apartheid, in Paris last June, recommended that the period between November 20, 1979 (the twentieth anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child) and December 10, 1979 (Human Rights Day) should be observed in solidarity with the children of southern Africa, with seminars, mass meetings, demonstrations, exhibits and other events.
It called for the active participation of educational, cultural and other institutions, trade unions, religious bodies, and student, youth and other organisations in this observance by denunciation of apartheid and by disseminating information in close cooperation with the southern African national liberation movements.
I am happy to learn that a number of non-governmental organisations have endorsed this recommendation and intend to organise appropriate observances. It has also been endorsed by the "World Conference for a Peaceful and Secure Future for all Children", held in Moscow in September.
The Special Committee against Apartheid has always emphasised that the discrimination against children in South Africa on the grounds of race is a challenge to the conscience of humanity. The black children of South Africa live under conditions of extreme poverty and starvation, and are deprived of equal opportunities in education and health. The migratory labour system and bantustanisation, enforced on the Africans, have particularly cruel effects on children. Children are, moreover, subjected to brutal repression - including long terms of detention and imprisonment, torture and indiscriminate shootings - when they demonstrate peacefully for their inalienable rights. Even those who have found refuge in neighbouring African States have been subjected to bombings, resulting in the killing and maiming of hundreds of innocent children.
The apartheid regime in Pretoria has flagrantly violated every provision of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child, and stands condemned for its crimes against humanity.
I wish to emphasise that humanitarian assistance to the children oppressed by apartheid, while eminently worthwhile, is not enough. The international community must assist the national liberation movement in destroying the real cause of the suffering in a country endowed with riches, namely, the system of racist domination and exploitation. The children of South Africa not only deserve sympathy in their suffering, but have earned admiration for their heroic resistance against injustice, as demonstrated in the aftermath of the Soweto massacre.
On behalf of the Special Committee, I appeal to Governments and organisations all over the world to join in the observance of solidarity with the children of southern Africa from 20 November to 10 December 1979.
STATEMENT BY THE ACTING CHAIRMAN - SERGE ELIE CHARLES (HAITI) - APPEALING FOR ACTION TO SAVE THE LIFE OF JAMES MANGE, NOVEMBER 16, 1979(43)
On behalf of the Special Committee against Apartheid, I must express shock and indignation at the savage sentences imposed on twelve freedom fighters of the African National Congress of South Africa on 15 November. They were tried in Pietermaritzburg on charges of high treason and accusations under the notorious Terrorism Act. James Mange was sentenced to death and his eleven colleagues to imprisonment ranging from 14 to 19 years. The courage of these twelve men and their defiance of the crime of apartheid will be an inspiration to the oppressed people of South Africa.
I appeal to all Governments and organisations to take urgent action to save the life of James Mange, and secure prisoner-of-war status and treatment for captured freedom fighters.
The escalating brutality and repression in South Africa underline the imperative need for sanctions against the racist regime in order to eliminate apartheid and racist tyranny.
MESSAGE BY THE CHAIRMAN - B. AKPORODE CLARK (NIGERIA) - PAYING TRIBUTE TO BISHOP AMBROSE REEVES FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO STRUGGLE TO ELIMINATE APARTHEID, DECEMBER 10, 1979(44)
I have great pleasure, on behalf of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid, in joining in the well-deserved tribute to Bishop Ambrose Reeves, President of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement.
We recall with respect his courageous and outspoken opposition to the inhumanity of apartheid as bishop of Johannesburg for eleven years, his decision in 1954 to close down Anglican mission schools rather than cooperate with the regime in implementing the racist system of "Bantu education", his efforts to ensure moral and material assistance to the 156 leaders accused in the notorious treason trial of 1956-61; and his exposure of the savagery of the Sharpeville massacre of 1960, as well as his succour to the victims of that massacre.
Since his deportation from South Africa by the racist regime, he has worked tirelessly to mobilise world opinion for the elimination of apartheid and has led the British Anti-Apartheid Movement during the past decade in unswerving loyalty to the struggle of the oppressed people for freedom and justice.
Bishop Reeves has been a valued friend of the Special Committee against Apartheid. The Special Committee, I may recall, had the occasion to receive and honour him at the United Nations in October 1963, and to sponsor his appearance as the first "petitioner" against apartheid in the General Assembly. We remember his moving appeal for international action against apartheid and his denunciation of the hypocrisy and shortsightedness of the powers that comfort and abet the racist regime. His appeal and his solemn warnings on that occasion are even more relevant today when the struggle for freedom in southern Africa has entered the final and crucial stage.
In honouring Bishop Reeves, a man who has represented the best traditions of the British people and the true spirit of Christianity which has been defiled by the racists in South Africa, we also pay tribute to the righteousness of the South African national liberation movement which can count on such men as loyal friends. It cannot but triumph, given the support of all men and women of goodwill, in its struggle to sweep away the legacy of injustice and inhumanity, and enable all the people of the country - irrespective of race, colour or creed, and on the basis of human equality - to determine the destiny of South Africa.
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN - B. AKPORODE CLARK (NIGERIA) - CONDEMNING ARREST OF VICTOR MATLOU, MEMBER OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, DECEMBER 18, 1979(45)
The Special Committee against Apartheid has been informed that authorities of the racist regime of South Africa have arrested Mr. Victor Matlou, a member of the African National Congress of South Africa, who was on a Mozambique airliner en route from Maputo to Maseru on 13 December.
On behalf of the Special Committee, I condemn this act, which is a flagrant violation of international law. It is the latest in a series of such acts by the racist regime since its kidnapping of Anderson Ganyile from Basutoland in 1961.
The international community must take energetic measures to secure the immediate release of Mr. Matlou and to stop acts of piracy and kidnapping by the desperate and criminal regime in Pretoria.
1. UN Press Release GA/AP/523, January 21, 1976
This statement and the statement of the Committee which follows, were of considerable significance at the time as they were forthright in condemning South African aggression against Angola when members of the United Nations, and even African States, were divided.
2. The reference is to "Freedom House".
3. UN Press Release GA/AP/525, January 23, 1976
4. UN Press Release GA/AP/542, April 7, 1976
5. UN Press Release GA/AP/568, June 10, 1976
6. UN Press Release GA/AP/577, July 13, 1976
7. UN Press Release GA/AP/580, July 19, 1976
The International Convention entered into force on July 18, 1976.
8. UN Press Release GA/AP/595, September 20, 1976
9. 0 UN Press Release GA/AP/596, September 21, 1976
10. UN Press Release GA/AP/601, September 30, 1976
11. UN Press Release GA/AP/609, October 11, 1976
This message was proposed by Ms. Miriam Makeba, then a delegate of Guinea to the session of the General Assembly, and approved by acclamation.
12. UN Press Release GA/AP/620, November 26, 1976
The Latin American and Caribbean Committee against Apartheid was organised 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. The message of the Chairman of the Special Committee was read at the inaugural meeting in Mexico city by E.S. Reddy, Director of UN Centre against Apartheid.
13. UN Press Release GA/AP/631, February 24, 1977
14. UN Press Release GA/AP/652, March 3, 1977
15. UN Press Release GA/AP/643, March 21, 1977
16. UN Press Release GA/AP/650, March 24, 1977
17. UN Press Release GA/AP/694, June 21, 1977
18. UN Press Release GA/AP/734, September 13, 1977
19. UN Press Release GA/AP/750, October 19, 1977
20. UN Press Release GA/AP/761, November 14, 1977
21. UN Press Release GA/AP/767, November 23, 1977
22. UN Press Release GA/AP/769, December 5, 1977
23. UN Press Release GA/AP/770, December 6, 1977
24. UN Press Release GA/AP/774, December 15, 1977
25. UN Press Release GA/AP/777, December 19, 1977
26. UN Press Release GA/AP/805, March 1, 1978.
The Day of Solidarity with conscientious objectors who refuse to cooperate with racial oppression was observed in Geneva on March 1, 1978.
27. UN Press Release GA/AP/802, March 1, 1978.
The United Nations initiated radio programmes directed at South Africa in 1973, and they were expanded into daily programmes in March 1978. This statement was in the first daily programme.
28. UN Press Release GA/AP/812, March 13, 1978
29. UN Press Release GA/AP/827, March 21, 1978
30. UN Press Release GA/AP/831, March 22, 1978
31. UN Press Release GA/AP/837, April 4, 1978
32. UN Press Release GA/AP/856, May 25, 1978
33. 0 UN Press Release GA/AP/859, May 31, 1978
This appeal was addressed to governments of Member States of the United Nations. A similar appeal was sent to non-governmental organisations.
34. UN Press Release GA/AP/875, July 17, 1978
35. UN Press Release GA/AP/876, July 19, 1978.
The statement was issued in London.
36. UN Press Release GA/AP/887, August 23, 1978
37. UN Press Release GA/AP/891, September 8, 1978
38. UN Press Release GA/AP/904, October 10, 1978
39. UN Press Release GA/AP/915, November 20, 1978
40. UN Press Release GA/AP/923, December 7, 1978
41. UN Press Release GA/AP/1020, September 27, 1979
42. UN Press Release GA/AP/1026, October 15, 1979
43. UN Press Release GA/AP/1041, November 16, 1979
44. UN Press Release GA/AP/1049, December 10, 1979
The message was read by E.S. Reddy, Diector of the UN Centre against Apartheid, at a meeting organised by the Anti-Apartheid Movement in London. Oliver Tambo, President of the African National Congress, was among the speakers at that meeting.
45. UN Press Release GA/AP/1051, December 18, 1979
46. Source: United Nations document, A/AC.115/SR.379