The other issue that dominated the discussions in these conferences was the question of a new economic order. It was raised at a special session of the United Nations, and the non-aligned conference wanted to take some sort of a well-organised position about it. Naturally this was also one of the issues that was discussed comprehensively. The Lima conference dealt with it in greater detail. So did the Kingston Commonwealth summit conference. As a matter of fact, the Kingston summit went so far as to appoint a committee of experts to prepare a sort of a report to be pursued for the purpose of establishing a new economic order.
Another issue which dominated the Kingston summit, if I remember right, was the situation or the problem of the struggle of the, people in South Africa. The question of Rhodesian independence and the liberation of Namibia was taken up by the African countries. The United Kingdom and Canada supported the thinking of other countries, though the United Kingdom was somewhat apologetic about its inaction.
Q.
You have mentioned about two trends which may weaken the non-alignment movement. One is racial discrimination and the other military alliances. Do you think that these trends have been, contained to some extent by the non-alignment movement?
A.
Well, I would say that the non-alignment movement as such has highlighted and given moral support to the struggles and movements against racial discrimination and exploitation by imperialistic powers. To that extent, the non-aligned movement has done service to the cause. For example, the dismantling of the Portuguese empire was a very important development of the seventies, which started with the liberation of countries in Africa, like Mozambique and Angola, and, I would say, the liberation of Portugal itself from the fascist regime.
Military Blocs Create Tension
Q.
Do you think that the teeth of the military alliances have been taken out?
A.
Yes, I was coming to that. Your first question has also raised this point. Excepting perhaps NATO, the other alliances have lost their teeth. NATO has sharpened its teeth. Military alliances are a reality on the continent of Europe more than anywhere else, though military agreements and military blocs do exist outside Europe.
