Liberation Movements in Africa
The de-colonisation of the Portuguese empire has proceeded with commendable rapidity. We rejoice in the notable successes achieved by the national liberation movements. However, the process of national liberation is as yet incomplete and we must address ourselves to the problems in the remaining territories whose people are still living under colonial and foreign domination.
The transition of Angola, to independence has been marked by violent clashes between liberation movements. We have followed these developments with concern, because in the last analysis it is the people of Angola who will be the victims of the struggle for power between political parties. We hope that the Organisation of African Unity will find it possible to establish a basis for peace and co-operation among the different liberation groups.
In Southern Africa we are nowhere near a solution of the triple problem of securing the independence of Namibia, the rule of the majority in Zimbabwe and eradication of the policy of apartheid. These are all inter-related questions and they have to be tackled together. The presence in Namibia of the administration of the white racist regime of South Africa has been declared illegal. The U.N. has been standing ready to take over temporarily the administration of Namibia pending transfer of power to the people. And yet the South African Government flagrantly continues to defy the U.N. There is no clearer case for intervention by the U.N. and we would call for effective and resolute U.N. action against South Africa.
The illegal regime of Smith in Zimbabwe evidently continues to be bolstered by the support of the South African Government. There is no honourable way out for this regime, except to release all political prisoners, convene a constitutional conference of the legitimate leaders of the people, and make arrangements for the inevitable transition to majority rule.
Unfortunately, even the imposition of sanctions by the Security Council has not brought about the desired result although they may have had some impact. There are reports that the Smith regime is arranging meetings with national political leaders with the purpose of dividing them and compelling them to agree to unacceptable settlements. It is clear that the U.N. should continue to lend all support to the liberation movement in Zimbabwe.
The question of apartheid has been before the U.N. in one form or another since 1946, and the appeals of the General Assembly have had no effect whatsoever on the racist regime in South Africa. This regime has remained indifferent to the diplomatic isolation in which it finds itself. We diplore that the trade boycott and arms embargo imposed by the United Nations have been ineffective. As a result, South Africa continues to pursue its pernicious policy of segregating the tribal people in separate Bantustans, forcibly removing them from their homes and subjecting them to humiliating restrictions. South Africa's continued enforcement of the apartheid system in total disregard of U.N. resolutions had led to the rejection of the credentials of its representatives and their consequent exclusion from the General Assembly session. Even this has had little effect on the white racist regime in Pretoria, or, indeed, on its supporters. There is no alternative but to strengthen the hands of the fighters for freedom and liberation from this iniquitous regime.
