Big U.N. aid likely for Mozambique

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34105, 18 March 1976, Page 17

Big U.N. aid likely for Mozambique

(ti .Z ,P .A.-lleuter—Copyright) NEW YORK, March 17.

The United Nations Security Council is today expected to approve unanimously an international aid programme to help Mozambique offset losses resulting from its decision to apply United Nations sanctions against Rhodesia.

Mozambique’s Foreign Minister (Mr Joaquim Alberto Chissano) yesterday estimated that the former Portuguese colony needed at least SUS49m. The British Ambassador to the United Nations (Mr Ivor Richard) told the council that the Commonwealth’s secretary-general (Sir Shridath Ramphal) was visiting Mozambique to find out exact needs.

The resolution before the council would commend Mozambique for its decision to cut economic and trade relations with Rhodesia, and condemn Rhodesia’s provocative and aggressive acts, including military incursions against Mozambique. Last year’s Commonwealth conference agreed to organise an aid programme for Mozambique if it decided to apply sanctions against Rhodesia. Mozambique made its decision on March 3.

Mozambique will be the second nation to receive international aid to help meet the effects of sanctions against Rhodesia. Zambia, which closed its borders with Rhodesia in 1973. has received SUSBOm in aid. Its United Nations delegate yesterday said that this was inadequate. In Washington, the United States Secretary of State (Dr Henry Kissinger) said yesterday that the United States would do nothing to help Rhodesia's white minority Government remain in power.

Answering a question at a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Dr Kissinger said the United States stood for majority rule in Rhodesia, and added: “We will do nothing to help the white minority to continue to exercise authority in Rhodesia.”

Earlier this month, Dr Kissinger said the United States would not accept further Cuban military adventures following its Sovietbacked intervention in Angola. Some critics of United States African policy had said the statement could be interpreted in Southern Africa as a pledge that the United States would ally itself with the Rhodesian Government against Communist attack.