Amin threatens to ‘pressure’ Britons

Press, 14 March 1977, Page 6

Amin threatens to ‘pressure’ Britons

NZPA

Nairobi

Uganda has threatened to “bring pressure” against American and British citizens, accusing them of spreading lies about the East African nation. L nited Press International reported.

It was the most ominous; statement about the safetv of i foreign nationals in Uganda since President Idi Amin re-1 cently forbade the American community to leave Uganda and then ordered them to i meet him in Kampala. Field-) Marshal Amin later reversed! his decision and said United! States citizens could leave the country. An official statement!; broadcast by Radio Uganda ordered all provincial governors, district commissioners' and chiefs to “keep an eye, on British and American; citizens living in your areas”; because it "appears these are the people who are giving; false information abour

I Uganda to their respective j : countries. “The Government will; bring pressure on British; and American citizens soj they can reveal the sources] of such false information; The announcement said, ; Uganda was “not in the, pocket of imperialists and itj will do anything possible to, I get the truth from these; nationals.” The radio referred specifically to a report carried by! i the British Broadcasting Cor-; : poation yesterday. The 8.8.C.i quoted a British newspaper.) the “News of the World.” as, iinterviewing one of President! 'Amin’s pilots who was re-'

.ported to have fled Uganda., The statement, from al ! spokesman of Uganda’s provincial administration, ac-1 cused the 8.8. C. of! I broadcasting "false state-] ments.” Uganda observers said the) statement was an explicit I threat to take action against) i the Americans and Britons i living in Uganda. 1 There are some 500 Britons) , in Uganda. American officials' ■said there were about 240 • Americans in Uganda although President Amin has! . said there were only IQO. .| Most of the British and j Americans are missionaries, businessmen, and airline ■'officials.