Nigerian Threat To Withdraw

Press, Volume C, Issue 29467, 20 March 1961, Page 15

Nigerian Threat To Withdraw

IN.Z Press Association—Copyright/ LAGOS, March 18. Nigeria threatened to withdraw from the Commonwealth if South Africa continued as a member, the Nigerian Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawi Balewa, disclosed today, Associated Press reported.

He was speaking at Lagos Airport on his return from the Commonwealth conference. Thousands of Nigerians lined the streets to welcome him. So far as Nigeria was concerned, he said. South Africa’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth did not mean an end of the fight against her racial policies “The fight against this evil continues.” he said The Prime Minister told reporters he was particularly happy at the outcome of the London conference concerning South Africa. "There were sharp exchanges across the table,” he said. “I gave it hot to the South Africans and they gave

it to me too. It ended the way I thought my fellow Nigerians wanted. “This is just the beginning. Nigeria is going to fight the South Africans’ racial policy right to the end We are not against the people of South Africa. But we are against the present Government’s policy. “My view is that the Commonwealth is a growing organisation and the bonds of friendship will get stronger with South Africa out. This does not mean the disintegration of the Commonwealth,” he said. He said there were many ways to fight South Africa —for example in the United Nations and by means of economic sanctions.