Tanzania alleges fresh threat

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33033, 28 September 1972, Page 17

Tanzania alleges fresh threat

(N.Z P.A.-Reuter —Copyright)

KAMPALA, September 27.

A Ugandan military spokesman in Kampala said last night that Tanzanian troops were reported to be moving overland in strength to the Uganda-Tanzania border, and by boat across Lake Victoria towards eastern Uganda.

Ina statement broadcast late last night by Radio Uganda, the spokesman gave a warning that if this was “another planned provocation by Tanzania,” the Uganda Government would not be to blame for the consequences.

“Ugandans should remain calm, because the armed forces are ready to defend the country should this movement of troops from Tanzania involve another attempt to attack Uganda,” the statement added. However, the Ministry of Education in Kampala announced today that schools in south-western Uganda, the re-opening of which for the new town was deferred because of last week’s fighting in the area, would open on Friday.

The Minister said that pupils travelling to these schools should take with them their identity cards, but it made no reference to any special precautions. The spokesman said in the broadcast: "A large convoy of vehicles of troops from Tanzania has been spotted heading towards Mutukula and Kikagati (on the UgandaTanzania land border), and a number of boats suspected to be carrying troops have also been spotted heading for

Tororo from Musoma, Tanzania.

“If this is another planned provocation by Tanzania, the Uganda Government should not be bi nned for any repercussions.”

It is reported from Dar-es-Salaam that a meeting between Tanzanian, Ugandan and Somalian representatives to end the border crisis is expected to be held soon, probably in Somalia. Tanzania has given her full support to the Somali peace initiative, which calls, among other things, for the withdrawal of both Ugandan and Tanzanian troops from the border area. The Tanzanian Minister of Information (Mr Daudi Mwakawago) told reporters today that his Government had agreed in principle to a troop withdrawal, and that this was being negotiated with Uganda and Somalia.

President Giri of India is due to visit Dar-es-Salaam tomorrow, and although the arrangements were made months before the present crisis, President Amin of Uganda alleges that the occasion is to prepare a fresh at-

tack on Uganda by Tanzania with the help of Zambia and the Indian Army and Air Force.

“Absolutely absurd,” was the reaction to that of the Indian High Commissioner in Uganda (Mr Jagat Mehta). Mr Mwakawago said today: “There is no plan to invade Uganda. There is no war. East Africa is not interested in any trouble of this kind.” Tanzania has admitted for the first time officially, however, that the force of 1000 pro-Dr Obote exiles did make its attack in Uganda from Tanzania, and had now returned to Tanzanian territory. Whether they will be able to make similar attacks in future, and what kind of facilities they can expect to retain in Tanzania, will be among the points discussed in the negotiations between the Tanzanians, Ugandans, and mediating Somalis. Tanzanian troops are still dug in about five miles from the frontier, but the Tanzanian Government is keen to defuse the situation, and is agreeable to a withdrawal if General Amin’s Army does the same thing on the other side, informed sources say.