S.A. Links With Black Africa

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31983, 9 May 1969, Page 11

S.A. Links With Black Africa

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) CAPE TOWN, May 8. South Africa was continuing to work towards the forging of closer ties with countries of black Africa, the Foreign Minister (Dr Hilgard Muller) said yesterday.

“South Africa is in direct contact with more African nations than I am prepared to divulge at this stage,’’ he said in a foreign affairs debate. “You would be amazed to know with whom we have had discussion," Dr Muller said. Dr Muller said that the Prime Minister’s planning adviser had visited certain States in Africa, at their invitation and these were countries with which South Africa had no diplomatic; ties. Discussions had also been taking place at ministerial level at the United Nations,. Dr Muller said. The Foreign Minister said African nations were showing a greater realism in their attitude toward relations with South Africa, as demonstrated by the manifesto issued after the Lusaka summit conference recently of East and Central African states. This was seen in South Africa as significantly toning down Black Africa’s terms for a modus operandi with the powerful white-ruled republic to the south. Dr Muller also pointed to the extensive technical and medical aid South Africa had given to its black neighbours. Approval in principle had

also been given, he told Par-liament,-to the establishment of a co-ordinating committee to provide medical assistance ito other territories in Africa.