AFRICAN LEADERS MEET IN CAIRO

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30497, 20 July 1964, Page 11

AFRICAN LEADERS MEET IN CAIRO

Nkrumah 9 s Union Plan Coolly Received (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) CAIRO, July 19. Six African leaders at the conference of African leaders in Cairo yesterday expressed their belief in African unity but differed on the way it should be achieved.

The proposal by President Nkrumah for a “union government of Africa” was partly endorsed by President Toure of Guinea; but President Tubman of Liberia opposed it “at the present time.”

All speakers dwelt on their belief in the urgent need for closer African links, particularly in trade and communications.

Sir Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, of Nigeria, and Mr Kenyatta, of Kenya, saw the Organisation for African Unity as the foundation for co-operation among African states, and both called for its strengthening and the formation of new specialised agencies.

South Africa figured largely in speeches as “the most urgent problem” facing Africa. The Government of Southern Rhodesia and the “liberation” of nonindependent countries were underlined as needing “special measures.” President Bourguiba of Tunisia said complete African unity was still premature. “We cannot seek unity before at least co-ordinating outstands,” he said. Speakers called for more effective economic sanctions against South Africa in- particular, and Mr Kenyatta urged oil-producing nations to stop shipping oil there. Mr Kenyatta also suggested that the O.A.U. consider “setting up a bureau charged with directing an all-out offensive against South Africa.” . President Bourguiba of Tunisia declared there was a similarity between Israel and South *frica, and criticised those at the conference who had relations with Israel. Israel, he said, was “guilty of the same crimes against human rights” as South Africa and Portugal. To loud applause, he added: “Such an attitude on the part of African governments does not favour African unity.” Mr Kenyatta said South Africa was one of the most urgent issues and the increase of armed forces there was a threat to independent African states. He also said Africa could not be free when Southern Rhodesia, Angola and Mozambique continued under foreign domination.

“We must redouble ' our efforts to remove the remaining vestiges of colonialism in Africa.” More could still be done against apartheid in South Africa, and there was a need for renewed efforts by the United Nations. Sir Abubakar Tafawa-Ba-lewa maintained that South Africa and Portugal had become the black sheep of the international community, and called for adequate financing of liberation movements.

Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia also condemned “oppression in Angola, Mozambique, Southern Rhodesia and South Africa,” and added: “We must bring the Government of South Africa to their senses.”

Mr Kenyatta said Southern Rhodesia must be ruled by the African majority government, and the same formula applied to Portuguese areas. Mr Kenyatta said that in East Africa the European Economic Community was still striving to undermine “our common market, our common service,” and called for improvement in communications between East and West Africa. He suggested the establishment of a pan-African medi-

cal conference on disease “to get this enemy out of our midst.” Sir Abubakar TafawaBalewa said he and some of his colleagues had made it clear to Britain it was her responsibility to safeguard the interests of the African majority in Southern Rhodesia.

President Toure of Guinea, who was interrupted several times by loud applause; condemned the existence of foreign military bases in African countries and the “shameful and barbaric apartheid policy of South Africa,” and hailed the promulgation of the Civil Rights Act in the United States. He urged the establishment of an African common market and an African development bank.