The prospects for development in Cape Verde are the least imaginable.
Nevertheless, they have gotten farther than many other undeveloped coun-
tries. One reason is that there are educated people with experience in
organization, the only positive mark of the Portuguese. During the colonial
era administrators were educated here and sent to other colonies. Many have
returned after independence.

“Our plans extend to the year 2000. We shall then most likely not have

attained independence and self-sufficiency but we shall be a good ways
down the road," says Jose Brito optimistically.

6893
CSO: 3498/12

15



purposes to learn exactly what the reseryes of heavy oil are at Tsimiroro.

In fact, seyeral estimates haye been made; the French staté that there are

at least 20 million barrels of 9il, while for their part the Americans say
that there are at least 20 million barrels of oil, while for their part the
Americans say that there are about 5 billion barrels. Also, this loan

is necessary to evaluate precisely what our reserves are, by means of the

test drillings which we are making with. the help of the foreign oil companies."

The director general of OMNIS commented to the point: "Heavy oil has its
peculiarities and does not particularly resemble ordinary oil. Its extraction
from the ground requires the use of high technology. We have trained
technicians so that they might develop their ‘heavy oil specialization.'
Furthermore, out of the 150 kilometers of road we need to construct in support
of this project, 120 kilometers have been completed. We note that the test
drilling will begin in July, and after that we will perform the different
analyses needed in order to learn what are the real reserves at Tsimiroro."

Questions

The recorder then read the questions which the deputies asked of Hubert
Andrianasolo on 8 June:

“Why is there so much difference between the estimates of reserves made by
the French and those made by the Americans?"

“Are the French and Americans still there?"
"Exactly where is the search for petroleum going on in Madagascar?"
"Why is the petroleum which we now have of such poor quality?"

"Is the Bemolanga field really exhausted? There are rumors circulating on
this subject. In fact the president and we also have stated that the Bemolan-
ga field will soon begin to 'produce.'

"Are the rumors true that the petroleum discovered by these foreign companies
will be shipped to South Africa?"

"Certain technicians reportedly have stated that the effort to exploit the
Bemolanga field is a failure and that the research technicians have already
left."

Answers

Hubert Andrianasolo, the director general, then answered all these questions,
saying in particular; "The fact that. the estimates differ so much is due to
the fact that the technologies used are not the same. I should emphasize,"

he said to the members of the committee, "that the research technicians whom
you have just mentioned had left the country by 1974. They knew that we were
going to change the basic petroleum law, and they prefered to leave before

submitting to the application of the new law." Concerning petroleum research

36



TYORY COAST

KOUMASSI LEAD FOUNDRY CLOSED, EASING POLLUTION
Abidjan FRATERNITE MATIN in French 22 Jun 83 p 19

[Text] For once, those who sadly contend that "there is no
more morality" will have to revise their opinion.

Fortunately, there are scandalous stories that have a moral
ending, where the villains are punished, where the public
authorities shut down dangerously polluting factories.
Thank God!

Such was the story of Afrique-Metaux Industries in Koumassi
last month....

It began nearly a year ago. Scrap iron was being collected on a leasehold in
Koumassi. And then one day the area was invaded by a whitish smoke (oh!

very visible) which caught the throat, irritated the eyes horribly and spread
a disagreeable odor somewhat similar to that of burning rubber.

Nearby residents complained and went to see what was happening on Mr Abderamane
Kone's leasehold. They found mountains of old batteries, while inside the

shed two extremley primitive smelters were turning out ingots of lead and

zinc. Rising above the smelters, the smokestacks were of the most elementary
kind: common stovepipes going up to the roof, without any filtering apparatus...

The neighborhood began to get upset: on one side lived a newborn infant who
now had to stay in his air-conditioned room; across the street, at the Tim
factory, the 60 workers refused to work when the wind carried the fumes in
their direction. The pollution extended in all directions as far as the
Prodomo subdivision, seyeral hundred meters away as the crow flies...

But Afrique-Metaux Industries met all this uproar with total indifference. +

Petition After Petition

Everyone knows that when a factory recovers the lead from automobile batteries
it releases a dangerous product into the atmosphere; lead oxide. In Italy,

it is said, an entire village was stricken with lead poisoning, a serious
illness, as a result of lead oxide. .

32



MOZAMBIQUE

ARTICLE EXAMINES MOZAMBIQUE NATIONAL’ RESISTANCE OPERATIONS
Bonn AFRIKA-POST in German Jun 83 pp 12-13

[Article by Hanns H. Reinhardt: "RNM Chief Cristina Shot and Killed in South
Africa"]

[Text] A revolver bullet coming from unknown assailants ©
killed Orlando Cristina, general secretary and No 2 man of
the RNM, the national resistance movement in the Marxist—
Leninist Mozambique.

On a farm north of Pretoria--it was reported to be the place of the crime. It
remains to be seen, however, whether this farm (next to the training center

of Phalaborwa) is a rear commando post of the insurgents and whether the strike
against Cristina was the work of smuggled-in agents of the FRELIMO Government
or the consequence of disputes within the RNM leadership structure.

Cristina had been general secretary since 1980. He was considered the No 2
man of the RNM, second only to President Major Afonso Dhlakama--a political
assistant to the militaristic and logistic chief of the insurgents. Cristina
was taking care of the training of political and administrative cadre forces
“to guarantee an effective administration of the country following the
ouster of Samora Machel," according to a broadcast that come over the insur-
gents' station--presumed to be in the South African Transvaal.

At the present time the resistance movement is not intent on establishing
some kind of a political infrastructure in its operational territory. Be-
cause the partisan war is conducted with extreme mobility, there are no "lib-
erated territories" with secret structures--in contrast to the war fought by
the FRELIMO against the Portuguese. It also applies to the two major centers
of operation, the provinces of Sofala and Manica located at the "wasp waist"
of Mozambique, somewhere between the harbor of Beira and the tip of Tete
(which includes the coal mines of Moatize and the Cabora Bassa facilities).
The area surrounding the former nature preserve of Gorongoza had been a
center of resistance already at the time of the Portuguese because of its
dense vegetation, low population count. and because of its swampy terrain.

Military observers attribute the successes of the RNM primarily to the fact
that the partisans do not burden themselves with heavy weapons and

4l



long negotiations. Gradually President Ahidyo (who voluntarily retired in late 1982,
after 20 years in office) succeeded in‘uniting the nation--no easy undertaking con-
sidering the presence of about 200 tribes, 124 languages, four religions and--initial-
ly--84 parties. The visitor to Cameroon is constantly reminded that the country is
“Africa in miniature." This even applies to the scenery that ranges from tropical
forests in the south by-way of highlands in the west to the Sahara-savannah and
steppe in the north. The nation was helped to unity by way of a single party, a
single labor union and, finally, a unitary state following the 1972 referendum.

Despite strong centralization Cameroon has remained officially bilingual, as Black
Africa's only such state with’the exception of South Africa and Namibia. The radio
transmits news alternately in English and French. In addition to the French daily
newspaper, an English edition of the CAMEROON TRIBUNE appears weekly. The English
speaking west was delighted when State President Biya took his oath in parliament
in English at the time he took office 9 months ago. Nevertheless Cameroon is in-
creasingly turning into a French speaking country with only a dash of English.

11698
cso: 3420/31



ZAIRE

CALL FOR’ CURBS ON CUSTOMARY LAW ABUSES
Kinshasa ELIMA in French 22 Jun 83 p 3
[Commentary by "Bami"]

[Text] An unspeakably tragic situation prevails presently in the community
chieftainries of Mulundu and Katshisungu, in Muene-Ditu zone in the Kasai
Oriental region. This deplorable ‘situation is the result according to
information in our possession, of the fact that. the positions of customary
authority are being held by people who have no right to hold them. We are
speaking of citizens who reportedly had themselves invested with customary chief
powers in the community chieftainries of Mulundu and Katshisungu in place of
the lawful office-holders, respectively Kabamba Kabuluku and Mwamba Kayeye.

According to the customary law of the Kanjoka of Mulundu, the head chief can
only be replaced upon his death. Now the head customary chief, Kabamba
Kabuluku Nganga, was invested with his authority on 17 April 1956, as shown by
the official report to that effect, and he is still alive today. So there can
be no question of replacing him without .a valid reason, and the whole populace
supports him. Unfortunately, this Party member was replaced in 1976, for
reasons not ever established, by someone else. The latter, according to our
source of information, is accused of mistreating the people by imposing regular
exactions on them contrary to the ideals of the MPR [Popular Movement of the
Revolution].

In fact, in the Mulundu community, there have been several regrettable cases of
physical torture, arbitrary arrests, extortion, and illegal, undocumented
fines. The local courts haye been beseiged by the victims, who expect that
justice will be done to atone for the moral and material damage they have
suffered. In that connection, we haye a list of persons who have been tortured.

As for us, we think that the problem is serious. And the people are distressed
by the fact that the assistant sub-regional commissar for Muene-Ditu, Citizen
Kapandila, has kept completely silent about these events. Interyention by the
protective authorities is clearly necessary to clear up the situation, which
is getting worse day by day in that part of the republic. The people's
commissars in that zone were contacted by intellectuals and well-known figures,
and given all the facts, when parliament last adjourned.

51



CSO;

3400/1718

soldiers if they try to enter that part ot
town between 1 am and dawn.

A practising Catholic, President Oued-
Taogo goes to mass at Saint Camille Church
every Sunday morning. But now the
church is surrounded by armed troops
while he and the rest of the congregation
pray.

But the general expectations of Voltaics
may not prove as crucial as the level of
support provided by Western Govern-

_ments. A test of that support for President
Ouedraogo is likely to come over the next
few weeks. Last week, the northern band
of the country stretching from The Yaten-
ga right over north of Kaya to Sebba in the
north-east was officially declared a disaster
zone. These final few months before the
annual harvest in October are always
difficult, but last years harvest in much of
the north was disastrous because of bad
rainfall. The Yatenga had just 367 mil-
limetres of rain, whereas its average is over
500. Just before West Africa went to press,
the Government was to call a meeting of all
donors; we understand that they were to-
request an additional six thousand tonnes
of food aid with permission to sell it at a
price lower than the official price. The
price on the open market is 30 per cent or
40 per cent higher than the official price, but
people are unable to find the money even to
buy the food in the State warehouses, Most
farmers in the north have already sold the
few possessions that they had in order to
buy grain for their family; a young bull that
in normal times would sell for 20,000 cfa
can be picked up for 1,500 cfa near
Aribinda. The idea of selling emergency aid
below the official price seems sensible but
is fraught with risks, how do you prevent
private traders buying up the stock and
then re-selling it on credit, charging 100
‘per cent or 200 per cent interest? But the.
Government’s biggest risk in making this
request is whether the western donors will
respond positively, or whether they will do
nothing, and allow the resultant social’
tension to lead to President Ouedraogo’s
overthrow.

49



1920 and 1962, when it gained independence, it was a Belgian mandated ter-
ritory. It has 4.3 million inhabitants. Eighty-five percent of the popula-
tion are Hutu peasants, 14 percent belong to the surviving remnants of the
former ruling class, the Tutsis, 145,000 of whom were able to flee to neigh-
boring countries during the 1959 Hutu uprising and escape the knives of the
Hutus.

8991
cso: 3420/23

47



In addition to these two domains (among others), the Soviet Union will help
train pilots, engineers and technicians for Gabonese civil and commercial
aviation and will export aeronautic equipment to our country.

When signed, the agreement will join other accords on commercial, technical
and economic, cultural and scientific cooperation drawn up in Libreville in
August 1980. In addition, Gabon and the Soviet Union are continuing their
talks relating to the signing of a maritime agreement.

Timofeyev left Libreville on 8 July, bearing a message from the president of
the republic to his Soviet colleague, Yuriy Andropov.

11,464
cso: 3419/1099

19



specialists in Madagascar, Andrianasolo noted that the companies "were in a
period of rapid expansion" and mentioned the areas where the foreign petroleum
companies were operating at present, such as Sakaraha, which has been entrusted
to Occidental Petroleum, and Morondaya, which. has. been turned oyer to Mobil
Oil Company, etc.

He then stated that there was no tunnel connecting our country to South Africa
which could "suck up" our petroleum. Regarding the Bemolanga field, he
remarked that the basic field work has been completed and that laboratory
analysis is going forward today. Previously, he had said that there were many
African countries which did not benefit from loans from the World Bank or
OPEC. He said that if these institutions were investing in our country, it
was because they had confidence in the policies advocated by President Didier
Ratsiraka and in the petroleum code in force in Madagascar. Regarding the
rumors coming from OMNIS technicians, Hubert Andrianasolo said that he would
pay close attention to the matter.

Other Questions

In substance that is a summary of the work of the committee on economic and
financial affairs as well as that of the committee on foreign relations as
we heard it yesterday [15 June] at the ANP. After the notes were read by
the recorder, L M X Andrianarahinjaka, president of the ANP, asked if the
deputies had other questions to ask the director general of OMNIS. Several
of them wanted further information on the subject of Tsimiroro and Bemolanga,
asking the following:

"What can we get from the Tsimiroro heavy oil?"

"Isn't Bemolanga still working" Why start to exploit the Tsimiroro field
now?"

"In 1956 people were talking already about a petroleum field in the Tulear
region-~in Anketraka, to be more specific. What is the situation today?"

“What are the reserves of the Bemolanga field?"
“Which field will be the first to produce--Bemolanga or Tsimiroro?"

"It appears that there may be petroleum at Nosy-Be. Has research been carried
out in this area?"

"If unconyentional petroleum is not competitive, isn't there a risk in
financing it by conyentional means?"

Huber Andrianasolo's answers fully satisfied the deputies by their clarity.
First, he explained the difference between unconventional and conventional
petroleum. He then suggested to the members of parliament that they not take
seriously these rumors which are circulating regarding Bemolanga or Tsimiroro.
"If these companies agree to come and work in our country, this is because
they have seen serious indications proving the existence of petroleum, but

37


MOZAMBIQUE

Maputo Comments.on Frontline News Ban
(Maputo in English to Southern Africa, 3 Aug 83)...ee.

Article Examines Mozambique National Resistance Operations
(Hanns H. Reinhardt; AFRIKA-PUST, Jun 83)..

Briefs
Water Assistance From UN
Unemployed Respond to Government's Appeal
Soviet Trucks to Maputo
New Maputo Administrative Division

RWANDA

Racial Implications of Law Laid Bare
(AFRIKA-POST, Jun 83) .cseccsccsccccccceccecceccecceces

UPPER VOLTA

Power Vacuum Increases Government Vulnerability
(WEST AFRICA, No 3441,.25 Jul 83) .ccccccccccccccccccce

ZAIRE

Chinese Volunteers Working in Upper Zaire
(ELIMA, 29 Jun 83) .ccecccecccccccccccccccvcccvcscccece

Call for Curbs on Customary Law Abuses
(ELIMA, 22 Jun 83) .ccccccccccccccccccccccccccessvesees

ZIMBABWE

Harare Paper Says Budget 'No Surprise’
(Editorial; THE SUNDAY MAIL, 31 Jul 83)...sccecccecees

46

48

50

51

53


GUINEA-BISSAU

BRIEFS

FUEL SHORTAGE, POWER OUTAGE--Lack of liquid and gas fuel in Guinea-Bissau
today continues partially to affect the supply of the public electric energy
network and the operation of industrial units and means of transportation
throughout the country, according to ANOP. Bissau and the main Guinean cities
are to be subjected to daily cuts of electric power, which affects the
operation of the few manufacturing units, and the national automobile complex
is partially paralyzed. The reserve of liquid fuel has been partially
maintained in the past few weeks through shipments ordered from Senegal,
which are sent in tanker trucks to Bissau. In the past few days Bissau has
been supplied with electric power during 12 hours daily, and Bafata, the
second city of the country, during 7 hours after some days of total stoppage
of its electric power station. The Bissau Central Hospital and some
industrial units also depend on the operation of the central power station of
the city, although they have generators, in some cases these are paralyzed for
lack of fuel. Lines of passenger and freight vehicles are getting longer

at the service stations of the national firm for the distribution of fuel and
lubricants (Dicol) which, because of difficulties in the country's foreign
exchange, continues to negotiate credits from abroad for new supplies. The
annual fuel consumption of Guinea-Bissau is equal to the total of its exports,
estimated to have a total value of $15 million (1.5 billion escudos). :
[Text] [Lisbon DIARIO DE LISBOA in Portuguese 23 Jun 83 p 11] 11635

INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION WITH PORTUGAL--Two high-ranking experts from the
Portuguese Ministry of Industry and Energy and an economist from the Institute
for Economic (State) Cooperation, for a week undertook the first task dealing
with direct sector cooperation, under the provisions of the cooperation
protocol between the two ministries signed in December 1982. This first
Portuguese mission essentially made the diagnosis of the situation of the
sector, surveyed the total‘needs and gathered data for the preparation of

a proposal of support and restructuring of seryices of technical training of
personnel, according to statements of Engineer Afonso Gomes, chief of the
mission, to ANOP. He also presented to the Guinean authorities specific
projects for the local establishment of some industrial units, with the
purpose of diminishing the country's dependence on imported materials and
equipment, said that official. Bilateral cooperation should be defined
specifically next October during the visit to Bissau of the second Portuguese
industrial mission. [Text] [Lisbon DIARIO DE LISBOA in Portuguese 23 Jun 83
pill] 11635

30



CAPE VERDE

BRIEFS

POSSIBLE CABINET RESHUFFLE--The Cape Verde Government could undergo greater
changes than was expected, said official sources of the City of Praia to ANOP
‘on Wednesday. These changes are to be confirmed later on after the conclusion
of the Second PAICV [African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde] Congress
being held in the capital since Tuesday. According to the same sources, in
addition to replacing the state secretary for trade and tourism, Osvaldo
Sequeira, and the creation of the State Secretariat for Foreign Affairs, with
Antoni Mascarenhas Monteiro as its head, other changes are being contemplated.
The Praia cabinet could be increased with the establishment of a Ministry for
Administrative Reform and a State Secretariat for Fishing, added the sources.
The reorganization to be introduced in the leadership of Praia, which can
encompass other areas, has as its objective the rotation of the leadership
group and the search for a more decentralized and dynamic administration, the
sources stressed. The National PAICV Council, for its part, will be increased
to 42 members. According to the same sources, 7 of the 42 members to be
elected by the 300 congressmen, will be alternates. The present National
Council operates with 28 members. Part of the enlargement of that leadership
organ of the party will be done with the inclusion of women, in numbers still
not determened, according to the sources contacted by ANOP. The present Cape
Verdian leadership organs, at the party and state apparatus levels do not
include women. Young people and the labor sector will also have to be
represented at the National Council to be elected on the last working day of
the Second Congress, on 26 June. [Excerpt] [Lisbon DIARIO DE LISBOA in
Portuguese 23 Jun p 13] 11634

CSO: 3442/278

16



GHANA

BUDGET WORSENS PLIGHT OF WHITE COLLAR EMPLOYEES
London WEST AFRICA in English No 3441, 25 Jul 83 pp 1710-1711

[Text] THERE IS. in most modern societies, a tionary action” more often than not hits

class of people known as the “respectable
poor”; people who at one time in their lives
lived well, were well educated, but who
have become poor, mostly not for reasons
of their own fault. Such people generally
find it difficult to acknowledge publicly the
decline in their status and try hard to
maintain to the outside world their “re-
spectable” image.
This class is now quite sizeable in Gha-
na; it largely consists of civil servants,
teachers, office workers and, in general
terms, the myriads of people employed by
the state. Conditions for them have lately,
however, become such that they are being
compelled to drop the last appearances of
“respectability” and have to resort to plain
begging, to doing manual work for which
they were never trained or, worse, to
practices which cannot see the light of the
day. Nowadays it is becoming quite com-
mon that one is approached by an elderly,
somewhat threadbare but essentially still
respectable-looking gentleman with a
“Good morning, Sir, please forgive me for
disturbing you for a minute — and I really
hate to have to do so — but could you
possibly lend me €20? I am rather hungry,
you see, and these days we really can’t
afford breakfast... .” Most of Ghana’s
respectable poor will, however, find mere
begging far too time-consuming and unpro-
ductive for their needs, and have to resort
to methods which may, on the surface
seem less degrading, but which are in
reality far less respectable. It is indeed for
that same reason that that same class of
“not so respectable, not so poor” are!
nowadays vigorously attacked by “revolu-
tionaries” of various hues, not so respect-
able either. Unfortunately, such ‘“‘revolu-

22

the wrong people: those who are too
honest to maintain their image of respecta-
bility once they have lost it, whilst the
worst offenders go scot-free.

Ever since the 1983 budget was pre-
sented, people have been protesting that it
is “too harsh” — a term which promptly
received government blessing, for it really
is an euphemism. To the class of the
respectable poor, the salaried workers, itis
nothing short of a disaster, a callous
document which only rubs salt into open
wounds. Of course, the govern-
ment was quick to announce that the
minimum daily wage had been increased
from €12 to €21.19 (and recently, after
“lengthy negotiations” to C25), and that
the price of certain essential commodities
had not changed. But everyone understood
at once that the announced system of
surcharges and bonuses constituted a ma-
jor devaluation of the cedi (even if it was
“officially” claimed that the exchange rate
of €2.75 to the dollar had not been
changed) and that major price increases’
were in the offing. The first of those
increases to be noticed was the “mere”
doubling of the petrol price, but what in
the first few weeks after the launching of
the budget was not yet so clear, soon
became evident: since May the cost of
living in Ghana has multiplied by a factor
of five at least.

Even if minimum wages were doubled,
the least paid still are twice as badly off
than before the budget. Other salaries will
be adjusted, but not above a ceiling of
€1,700 per annum or €4.72 per day. The
salaries of many of the educated, “‘respect-
able” government employees will have to’
be pulled up, simply in order to keep pace
with the minimum wage! It may be useful '



GABON

AIR TRANSPORT AGREEMENT WITH USSR TO EXPAND EXISTING RELATIONS
Libreville L'UNION in French 12 Jul 83 p 4
[Article by Obame Emane]

[Excerpts] In Libreville last week, two Gabonese and Soviet delegations
continued negotiations relating to the signing of an air transport agreement
begun in Moscow in March 1982.

Headed by Vice Minister of Civil Aviation Timofeyev, the Soviet delegation
arrived at the Leon Mba International Airport on 4 July and was greeted by
ministerial delegate Mapangou, the president and chairman of the board of

Air Gabon, Jean-Louis Mesgan, and the ambassador of the Soviet Union to Libre-
ville, Latyf Maksudov.

During the Liberville meetings, the text of the agreement: was worked out

and put in final form, although the Soviets left Moscow with the intention of
signing the agreement. Gabon would thus become the 102d nation in the world
to establish an air agreement with the Soviet Union.

The proposed accord, drawn up unanimously by both sides, the Soviet Embassy
emphasizes, was drafted according to the principles of absolute equality,
sovereignty, noninterference in domestic affairs, and mutual understanding
and advantages.

Gabon and the Soviet Union have also noted, the same source states, that the
agreement will respond to and fully serve the cause of cooperation between
Africa and the Soviet Union.

On the bilateral level, the effect of the agreement on relations between our
two countries has been examined at meetings which lst Deputy Prime Minister
Georges Rawiri and Guy Nzouba Ndama, minister delegate for commerce, granted
to the Soviet delegation...

Commercial trade will profit greatly from the establishment of this airline,
which will either go through Luanda or Brazzaville, with respect to aircraft
of the Soviet national company Aeroflot going to Libreville. Cultural and
sports relations, already going smoothly, will also benefit.

18



CULTURAL CQQPERATION WITH CHINA--At the invitation of the Goyernment of China,
last Monday a delegation of the Ministry of Information and Culture, led by
Comrade Luisa Borges, the director of culture, and made up of Comrade Rui
Correia and Florentina Yerissimo, chief of the administratiye seryices. of
that ministry and official of the National Scientific Research Institute
respectively, left for that Asian country. During their stay in China which
will last about 2 weeks, according to Comrade Luisa Borges, they will have
working meetings and long debates with Chinese officials regarding the
implementation of an agreement signed by the two governments in the cultural
field during the visit of Comrade President Nino Vieira to China. They will
also discuss the possibility of granting material aid for culture, as well
as close relations between the ‘two countries. [Text] [Bissau NO PINTCHA
in Portuguese 25 May 83 p 2] 11635

DELEGATIONS TO YUGOSLAVIA, BULGARIA--Comrade Califa Seidi, member of the
national committee for inquiry and control of the JAAC [Amilcar CABRAL
African youth], left for a working visit to Yugoslavia last Friday. This
official of the youth organization will take part in a seminar on unemployment.
of young people and in a conference of solidarity with the struggle of the
Palestinian people. A protocol of agreement between the JAAC and the Yugoslav
Socialist Youth League will be signed at the end of this visit to that
socialist country. Also on Friday, Comrade Antonio Pires Goncalves,

secretary of foreign relations of the OPAD, left for Sofia (Bulgaria) where
he will participate in an international conference on the role of pioneer

and youth organizations in the development of creative abilities of children,
in the name of peace, democracy and social progress, which will take place
from 26 to 30 May. During his stay in Sofia this OPAD official will have
direct contacts with the Komsomol-Dimitrov youth. [Text] [Bissau NO PINTCHA
in Portuguese 25 May 83 p 2] 11635

SOVIETS TO EXPLORE BAUXITE--The USSR has committed itself to deliver next
September to the Guinea-Bissau Government, the economic feasibility study of
exploration of bauxite deposits in Boe, in a document signed yesterday morning
at the Natural Resources Ministry by the minister, Joseph Turpin, and the
economic counselor to the Soviet Embassy in Bissau, Dmitriy Rybets. After
delivering the "dossier" (if it shows profitability), talks will begin aimed
at signing the contract regarding the exploration of the deposits which,
according to Joseph Turpin, will make reality of the great dream of Cabral,
that of making Boe a prosperous city. It was pointed out that -the implementa-
tion of the project, financed totally by the USSR, through "Tsvetmetpromexport"
was initially estimated at oyer $400 million. [Text] [Bissau NO PINTCHA in
Portuguese 22 Jun 83 p 1] 11635

CSO: 3442/277

31



CAPE VERDE

CAPE VERDE ISLANDS: STRUGGLE WITH NATURE
Stockholm DAGENS NYHETER in Swedish 16 Jul 83 p 8
Grticle by Costa Flemming]

ffext7 "There are those who say that it is fruitless to try to build a
society in our country. But we have not given up. On the contrary, we want
to be an example and to show the ability of the Third World."

It is Jose Brito, minister for planning in Cape Verde, 500 miles off the
African coast, who expresses this optimistic opinion.

Cape Verde is a young country, which became independent in 1975 after being
a Portuguese colony for more than 500 years. The Portuguese left behind an
impoverished and destitute country without means or natural resources.

The greatest problem today is the drought and the lack of water. The
islands were once green and resplendent, but now they are brown, burned-up
and eroded. During recent years it has rained at the most one week a year.

Massive Help

Cape Verde had experienced periods of drought earlier. During the 1940's
over 200,000 people died because of drought. Nearly half of the population
emigrated, primarily to the U.S. and western Europe. Without massive help
from other countries the islands would today be completely deserted. Ninety
percent of the GNP is international help.

The leaders in Cape Verde do not want the situation to make the population
passive. They believe that those who can work should work. Thus for example
food, received as aid, is sold rather than handed out. With the income,
unemployed persons are hired to build roads and terraces against erosion.

A large part of the aid money is used to support the agricultural sector.
Trial borings are being made on all islands to determine how much ground
water can be taken out without the springs drying up. A plant for the

desalinization of seawater has recently been completed on Sal, one of the
islands. It will supply the island's 6,000 inhabitants with fresh water.

13



BURUNDI

CALL FOR CRACKDOWN ON RISING CRIMINALITY
Bujumbura LE RENOUVEAU DE BURUNDI in French 26-27 Jun 83 p 4
[Article by Alexis Nimbona "Against Criminality"]

[Text] In one of the series of meetings he periodically holds, Attorney
General Pierre Gahungu chaired a meeting Friday at the office of the mayor
of Bujumbura to discuss the war against crime.

Attending the meeting were the director of the judicial police, the brigade
chief of the judicial police, a representative from the Special Investigations
Bureau, a representative of the mayor, and a representative of the municipal
police.

The Attorney General told the participants that the war against crime, which
has been proceeding for some time, has shown positive results, but that in
recent days criminality has broken out anew in full force in the city of
Bujumbura and several other areas of the country.

This led him to ask whether there has been some laxness in applying the crime-
fighting techniques or in planning campaigns.

The war against crime principally involves the police services, immigration
and the information services, along with the Badasigana [translation unknown],
he said. He conceded that the task is not easy, but added that we must be
successful in order to protect the safety of the nation.

Rural exodus is the most visible problem. People, especially the young, leave
the countryside, and wander here and. there in town to try to find employment.

Not finding any work, these individuals will do anything to scrape by. It

may be difficult to identify all these socially unwholesome elements, but the
Attorney General suggested the need for a system of close and frequent monitoring.

He said it is necessary at all costs to identify them, to organize sweeps and
patrols.

Some foreigners from neighboring countries are slipping clandestinely into the
country.



they will take over from military personnel at the ports. The PNDC has or-
dered the Second Battalion of Infantry to assume responsibility for the secu~
rity at Takoradi.Harbour immediately. According to the statement the government
had noted with grave concern that some members'of the police and armed forces
were jumping petrol queues to help friends to buy petrol at filling stations,
They will face "revolutionary discipline" if this practice is not stopped.
[Text] [London WEST AFRICA in English No 3441 25 Jul 83 p 1734]

FUEL SITUATION--The Ministry of Fuel and Power has reaffirmed that it will soon
be in a position to increase weekly fuel allocations to the oil marketing com-
panies for distribution. In a statement, the Ministry said it hoped the fuel
supply situation would start getting back to normal from the end of July.

Until then the Ministry said it had decided to inject.some discipline into the
distribution system to reduce the wasteful queues and unnecessary pandemonium
at the filling stations, The statement said a number of filling stations had
been designated in Accra and Tema to serve only commercial vehicles on specific
days of the week. Private vehicles will be served in the normal way at all
filling stations not otherwise designated. [Text] [London WEST AFRICA in
English No 3441 25 Jul 83 p 1735]

SALT MONEY FOR FARMING--Members of the reconstituted Ada District secretariat
of the National Defence Committee (NDC) have in consultation with PDCs, WDCs
chiefs and people of the area, resolved to invest any money accruing from the
local salt industry in agricultural ventures to boost the Green Revolution.

An independent Interim Management Committee would be appointed to run the af-
fairs of the Okor Salt Industry, it was decided. At a rally in Big Ada at
which the newly-elected officers of the district NDC secretariat were intro-
duced, the people said this move would help solve food problems, and create
jobs for the unemployed.’ [Text] [London WEST AFRICA in English No 3441 25 Jul
83 p 1735]

csO: 3400/1716-17

28



VALCO WILLING TO RENEGOTIATE WITH GOVERNMENT

GHANA

London WEST AFRICA in English No 3440 18 Jul 83 p 1680

[Text]

cso:

Volta Aluminium Company
(VALCO) has now informed gov-
eminent it is willing to resume
renegotiation of the agreement,
John Miller, Vice-President of In-
ternational Activities, Aluminium
‘Division of Kaiser Aluminium and
‘Chemical Corporation and Depu-
ty Managing, Director of VALCO
has told press conference in
Accra (reports Isaac Eshun). He
said the company realised its cur-
rent price for power, as stipulated
in the agreement now under re-
view, was unfair, but cautioned,
that the power prices was only one
of the components in the cost of
operations and that one could not
look at it in isolation. There were
taxes and other production costs
to consider.

Miller expressed regret at the
breakdown of the talks and said
VALCO's representatives had
taken the ‘negotiations seriously
from the beginning and would
continue to do so. They were now
taking a fresh look at the major
issues at stake and hoped, with the

effort of everybody progress would
be made. _ .

3400/1717

i He’ said arrangements should
‘now focus on the continued viabil-
ity of VALCO and on meeting the
interests and aspirations of the
government and people of Ghana.
“Compromise would be necessary
to achieve these goals but I think
there. are mutual interests ih

achieving these goals and we are
willing to try,” he remarked.

Miller said lack of sufficient

understanding on both sides was
the cause of the breakdown of the
talks and expressed optimism that
the breakdown had given the two
sides time “To reflect and refresh
‘ourselves for meaningful negotia-
tion. We realise our price for
power today as stipulated in the
agreement is not fair but it will
take a while in the negotiations to
arrive at a fair price. We have
been discussing with the govern-
ment over three years and since
then the price has gone higher
than it used to be,” he pointed
out. -

He said VALCO was extremely
encouraged and pleased with the
new fiscal measures, expecially the
adjustment of the value of the cedi
which would ensure positive de-
velopment. The high rate of infl:

25

‘to do what is right,” he added, |

tion in the past, he said, had-been
detrimental to VALCO’s opera-
tions and added: “The budget on
the whole in the- difficult circum-
stances of Ghana is good, in spite
of the temporary difficulties that
would face the people.”

On shut-down of some pot-lines
requested by the VRA as a result
of the low level of the Volta Lake,
Miller said that meant that VAL-'
CO would incur substantial losses
this year-as a tesult of reduced
operations. _

He hoped VALCO would in
future be able to reduce its energy
requirements by five to 10 per cent
through the energy conservation
programme currently being pur-
sued.

He was sure agreement would
be reached in the third round of
negotiations for he had been en-

‘couraged by’ Professor Akilakpa
'Sawyerr, leader of Ghana’s nego-
tiation team, who said on a televi-
sion programme that it was not in’
Ghana's interest to drive VALCO.
out of Ghana but that VALCO.
should operate on terms accept-
able to Ghana.

Miller said that was very true,
for in every country, industry
should operate in a way to suit the
interest of the country, adding:
“We have done that always but
there are differences of opinion. |

“We like Ghana. We are proud’
of our VALCO plant and we want


We see them all move toward us, Almost all of them are smiling, ‘They were
obviously waiting for our visit, yet during this first moment there is a sort
of tension, The two groups observe one another without advancing toward one
another, We are authorized to question whomever we choose, From hut to hut
a sentry follows us, listening attentively,

And we go back 3 and a half months in our thoughts, Alto-Catumbela, a small
town on the central plateau, on 12 March, It was 0500 hours, It was not yet
dawn, LIdeutenant Colonel Kanhali, 27, ordered his 1,250 men to attack the
town, Mortar shells were falling, Bursts of automatic weapon fire crackled,
"At first," Gregor Peter said, "scarcely awake, we didn't understand what was
going on, We sought shelter and remained motionless," The explosions went
on for a long time after the 450 government soldiers had fled, The UNITA men
systematically destroyed all economic objectives with dynamite, "That was
our only goal,""said Lieutenant Colonel Kanhali, ‘The bridges along the Lobito-
Benguela rail line were blown up one after the other, There were three in the
town, The locomotives in the railroad yard, the water reservoirs and the
famous pulp factory, The guerrilla officers quickly ~— this is the UNITA
version — learned of the existence of the Czechs and Portuguese, It was

1000 hours, ‘The raking~in began, The score: 66 Czechs (28 men, 17 women and
21 children — the youngest was not even 2 years old) and 20 Portuguese,

"The UNITA men politely explained that we had to follow them for security
reasons,"

At noon, on a nearby hill, the colum set out, At first to the south, The
hardships began, ‘The long march was to last for several weeks, They went
north, crossed the Benguela rail line, circumvented Huambo, went south again
and then they angled off to the east, The colum was strung out over several
kilometers: guerrillas, porters, hostages, all told nearly 1,500 people,
There they were in the middle of the forest, They ate what they could find,
They slept when they could, ‘There was fighting in the rear, in front and on
their flanks, according to UNITA officers, who said: "Against Cuban and MPLA
troops," "We didn't hear anything, or almost nothing," the hostages assured
us, Children under 7 were constantly carried and those from 7 to 12 were so
from time to time, The others marched; at least those who could did, They
began to make stretchers,

"In the beginning it was very hard," a hostage said, He could not find a
better way of putting it, It rained, They undressed themselves to keep their
clothes dry and went on marching, They slept on the ground, "Only the child-
ren were entitled to a plastic khaki ground cloth," a mother said, They went
to 10 stretchers, then to 20 and, since the guerrillas were also exhausted,
the number of porters increased -~ 10 per stretcher at first, 20 later, Four
hundred people, just to carry the sick, The adventure became more and more
dramatic for everyone, On the 37th day a 36-year-old man had a heart attack,
They gave him a shot and he started marching again, ‘The next day they resumed
their march until 1200 hours, until they got to a UNITA base, For 15 days

the colum had neither salt nor sugar, On the 38th day of the march Janislav
Navratil collapsed, His second heart attack proved fatal to him,



7 ANGOLA

REPORTAGE. ON UNITA'S .CZECHOSLOVAK HOSTAGES |
Paris I MONDE in French 30 Jun 83 p 6

[Article by Yves Loiseau: "The Repatriation of the Czechoslovak Hostages Has -
Been Shelved"]

[Text] In Johannesburg we learned that the repatriation of the Czechoslovak
hostages, 17 women and 21 children as well as other UNITA (National Union for
the Total Independence of Angola, Mr Jonas Savimbi's armed movement) prisoners,
which was planned for this Wednesday, 29 June, has been indefinitely postponed,

Placed under the protection of the IRCC (International Red Cross Committee)
ata UNITA base in Angola, the hostages were to have been flow to Johannesburg
in the early afternoon, Observers are of the opinion that technical, but also
diplomatic problems are behind this postponement,

Yves Loiseau, special correspondent for FRANCE~INTER, who had an opportunity
to interview the Czechoslovak hostages last week, gives an account below of
the release of the women and children Friday, 24 June, in Jamba,

Jamba (zoné controlled by UNITA)—As throughout the entire area, here there
are immense clearings where the grass is now very high and very yellow, Sur=
rounding these drainage areas that are several hundred meters in width, there
is a forest of scraggy trees with yellowed leaves, It is winter here, Under
the trees there are many bamboo huts, We pass fields of corn planted in the
gray earth to get to a post manned by bearded guards with Kalashnikov rifles
on their shoulders,

This is the place where the Czechoslovak hostages are being held, A guerrilla
immediately jumps onto our big Soviet Ural truck, We do not go very far —
barely 300 meters —- when a blond child in blue shorts and a white Teshirt
comes out of a hut, He sees us and quickly runs back inside, This is the
first Czechoslovak hostage we see, In front of the straw and bamboo hut,

there is the skull of an elephant and a wooden table with a chess set on it,
‘nd now the whole family comes out, ‘Two children, a man dressed in new clothes
and a blond woman with short hair clad in a light, all-white dress,

A few dozen meters away, other men, also white, come out of other huts quickly
slipping on very clean blouses, Our escort in Khaki shouts out an order,



Jose Brito emphasizes the importance of international help and also its dan-
gers.

"We don't want to be tied to a few countries.. Therefore, we are trying to
diversify the assistance and in particular are seeking help from several
countries which don't stipulate binding requirements," he says and names
Sweden as an example.

Sweden is the largest donor country with 40 million kronor annually. The
largest part is unrestricted assistance, that is, Cape Verde can itself dispose
of the assistance.

"That is being done in an excellent manner. There is a balance between the
project's size and its capacity. I am impressed how things are being done,"
says Tomas Beliua from Sida.

"In addition, great emphasis is being made to account for how the money is
used. We have never had any objections."

Pressure

The explanation of Cape Verde's fear for its independence of individual
countries lies in the islands' location. They lie on the line Europe-
Africa-Latin America. Both Soviet Union and the U.S. have put on pressure
for establishing air and naval bases on the islands, but without results so
far. There are rumors that the Soviets have military attaches in the coun-
try, but the government has dismissed these rumors. The Cape Verde leaders
are anxious to emphasize the country's sovereignty and neutrality.

"We defend human rights in the whole world. By this I mean the rights of
peoples. It is hypocricy for example when the U.S. talks about human rights
and at the same time supports fascism in Latin America. The peoples them-
selves shall decide what kind of government they want. That is our absolute
conviction," says Silvinoda Luz, the foreign minister.

Cape Verde pursues its own policies out in the Atlantic. In contrast to
many states on the African mainland there is no need to feel threatened by
any neighbors. Cape Verde, for example, is the only country in Africa which
allows South African to make intermediate landings. The transit fees is
important income for the little country which lacks raw materials and export
products. Completely in line with this pragmatic position, Cuban military
transport planes are also allowed to make intermediate landings enroute to
Angola.

Alliance-Free
"We are a remarkable country for many African states since we don't accept
all the things others want to force upon us. We are anti-imperialistic but

want to bealliance-free and not enter into any defense pacts," Silvino da Luz
says.

14



“We must conduct ourselves like a state and respect human rights, which is
why we are releasing the women and children" -—- violent when he again speaks
of the Soviets and the Warsaw Pact, The atmosphere is heavy,

A painful spectacles three women and a young man, alone, facing a hostile
mob, oppressed by the light from the floodlights and deluged with the slogans
resumed by the mob,

At 2200 hours there is a brief ceremony to officially confirm the release,

The Red Cross representative raises the question of the men, "We are going

to discuss that tomorrow," Mr Savimbi, who has regained his good humor, inter~
rupts him, The important figures, including the freed hostages, sit about a
big U-shaped table, ‘The play is resumed, At the table they drink wine from
Bloemfontein and beer that also comes from South Africa, UNITA ambiguity,

like the Red Cross plane that will leave from here, from a secret airport,

for Pretoria, then Harrare, the capital of Zimbabwe, before the hostages change
planes for a big Czech carrier,

11,466
sO: 3419/1081



GABON

DECLINE IN COFFEE PRODUCTION NOTED
Libreville L'UNION in French 14 Jul 83 p 4
[Article by Mualabu Mussamba]

[Text] The results of purchases and sales for the first six months of the
1982-1983 season show a major drop in volumes collected compared with the same
period of the previous season: 370 tons of berries (about 185 tons of commer-
cial coffee). The figures were revealed by the general director of the Equal-
ization and Stabilization Funds, Daniel Assoumou.

Assoumou, who talked with us in his office on Tuesday, 12 July 1983, said that
the "difference stems solely from Woleu-Ntem and the drop in coffee from
Equatorial Guinea. Fines levied by customs agents on haulers seem to be the
main reason for the situation."

It should be recalled that statistics on purchases and. sales’ for the 1981-
1982 season give the following results:

With regard to purchases, there has been an increase ,in the amount collected,
which went from 1,673 tons in 1980-1981 to 1,851 in 1981-1982 (178 tons more).

Concerning sales, although exports remained at the same level (796.5 tons), the
their value has increased. In fact, the average price per kilogram of commer-
cial coffee went from 497 francs in 1980-1981 to 537 francs in 1981-1982.

The general director of the Stabilization and Equalization Funds also revealed
the arrival of 100 kilograms of select seed from the Ivory Coast, which was
distributed to all provinces, thus making it possible to set up nurseries in
Woleu-Ntem, Ogooue-Ivindo, Upper Ogooue and Ngounie. He said that the opera-~
tion will make it possible to replace old plantations and create new ones..

Commenting on the current situation in producer provinces, Assoumou said that
in Woleu-Ntem, operations to rejuvenate old plantations involved only 20,510
square meters because of problems withchain saws (lack of spare parts and
theft of equipment) and the lack of transportation. However, the total number
of plantations rehabilitated since 1980 is 36 hectares.

20



286082
_ JPRS 84139

17 August 1983

Sub-Saharan Africa Report

. No. 2833

19860826 058

{Dato QUALITY INSPECTED *

FBIS| FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATION SERVIC!

© fepnoDUCED By

[NATIONAL TECHNICAL |
INFORMATION SERVICE |

1 US. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ;

| —.__ SPRINGFIELD, VAL 22161 fi



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rai 9_190_200_200_ 290 om

Nit n (ZAmBte

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St MALAW:
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Nawamnaseurg f°

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(SWAZiLANO)-!

Mozambique's coastline on the Indian Ocean measures approximately 2,000 kilo-
meters. Between Beira and the Zambesi mouth is the "wasp waist" of the former
Portuguese colony. This part of the hinterland is the center of RNM oper-
ations. From Beira the traffic runs to the tip of Tete with its mines and
the Cabora-Bassa dam. From Beira the petroleum flows to Zimbabwe's border
station of Umtali. (The map by courtesy of LE MONDE.)

8991
cso: 3420/24

43



CAMEROON

CAMEROON SEEKS TO SHAKE OFF FRENCH DEPENDENCY
Frankfurt/Main FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE in German 28 Jul 83 p 8

[Report by Robert von Lucius: "Cameroon Again Sets Its Hopes in the Germans--The_
Country in the Heart of Africa Seeks to Shake Off Its Undue Dependency on France"'/

/Text/ "I am a German Cameroonian," signs out the black bellboy who is catching
bits of German conversation while walking by, and grins roguishly. The deputy port
director of Douala, Cameroon's largest industrial city, explains the plans for the
port's expansion in excellent German and tells us that he was a student at Brunswick
Technical University: "Germany is'my second home." German is once again frequently
heard in this former German colony, especially among the younger people. No other
African country can boast more students of German: At present they number 32,000.
And yet, only since the country gained independence in 1960, has German been taught
in the schools as the third language, an alternative to Spanish, after French and
English. Up to them the French colonial rulers had prevented such instruction.

To this day the French do not care for the influence of any third country and do
their best to obstruct it. Seventeen thousand Frenchmen work in the country that,
thanks to its sound economics and some oil revenues, has for some years past in-
creasingly become France's largest market in Africa. Almost half of all imports
originate in France. After President Mitterand's state visit to Cameroon a few
weeks ago, T-shirts and batik dresses with the portraits of the two heads of state
--Mitterrand and Paul Biya--may frequently be observed in the streets. Nevertheless
we are told everywhere--especially by businessmen--that Cameroon is seeking to shake
off its dependency on Paris. They are putting their hopes in the Germans, especial-
ly, who have up to now been far too reserved with regard to investments. The deci-
sion to choose the German Pal system rather than the French Secam system for the
introduction of color television, must therefore be considered a political signal.
Evidently the Cameroonian population has a good deal of liking for Germans.

Next year will see celebrations of the signature of the "first" protectorate trea-
ties between Cameroonian chiefs and kings on the one side and the German Reich of
100 years ago. In 1883 Gustav Nachtigal arrived in Togo and Cameroon on the warship
"Segull" to hoist the German flag on Bismarck's orders. At first glance nothing
much reminds one of those days: A few somewhat neglected cemeteries, here and there
buildings of colonial architectural design, a Bismarck Fountain in the former German
administrative capital Buea, The palatial residence of former Governor von Puttka-
mer (after whom Cameroon was sometimes described as Puttcameroon at the turn of the



These people for the most part have been expelled from their country of
origin for reasons that are well known. At the meeting participants called
for measures to counter this menace. Enforcement of the statutes regulating
the towns was among the measures adyocated. All people living in. an irregular
status in Burundi must be found and identified. Also, the police agencies
concerned must set up permanent checkpoints at the entry and exit points.

Both the Attorney General and the director of the Judicial Police acknowledged
that the dry season is the time when the crime rate is highest. This is the
season when a large amount of money is in circulation, many "enterprises" are
undertaken, in short a time of prosperity.

During that time, violations proliferate at a worrisome rate. There are
frequent cases of organized theft, hold-ups, swindlings and confidence
rackets...

The head of the brigade cited the case of the recent burglaries perpetrated
at the Toyota Garage, OCIBU [Burundi Industrial Crops Office] and big stores
in Bujumbura.

The malefactors have been speedily apprehended by the police, who are
improving their techniques constantly.

The police director noted the large number of prostitutes that have recently
arrived from a neighboring country. First of all, they are living in
irregular status in the country, and they are not registered, but in
addition they are a public health hazard. Meeting participants decided to
study this problem and issue appropriate directives at an opportune moment.

They laid special stress on the assistance they would need from the Ministry
of Social Affairs on this particular problem.

The Attorney General closed the meeting by exhorting the administrative
authorities as well as the entire populace to renewed vigilance in order to
discourage this commerce.

9516
CSO: 3419/1057



MOZAMBIQUE

MAPUTO COMMENTS ON FRONTLINE NEWS BAN
MB032008 Maputo in English to Southern Africa 1800 GMT 3 Aug 83

[Text] Foreign correspondents of news agencies and other international media
whose bureaus are based in South Africa have been banned in principle from
working in the Frontline States of Africa, Angola, Botswana, Mozambique,
Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This part of a common strategy agreed at meet—
ing of ministers of information held in Zimbabwe at the weekend.

Mozambique played a full part in that meeting, and is ready to wage an offen-
sive against the propaganda machine of the Apartheid regime in South Africa.
The Frontline States are saying that in information as in trade there is a
time to choose. In the case of information, the choice is between the fact of
the independent countries in Southern Africa and the lies and distortion of the
minority regime in South Africa. Critics of the decision talk about interrupt-
ing the free flow of information. On the contrary the policy announced in the
Kadoma declaration from Zimbabwe is to stem the free flow of lies.

The Frontline States information ministers are urging the foreign news media
to establish regional bureaus in the independent countries of the region. They
welcome the example already set in this direction by particular newspapers and
news agencies. The ministers welcome news coverage on the spot. They reject
the situation where South Africa with policies hostile to independence and
human rights in the region is used as the main information center about the
region. The effect is one of distortion and misrepresentation. The Frontline
States do not accept Pretoria's biased view about the reality of the region.

The Kadoma declaration is not about reporting things in South Africa. Naturally,
the South African media will have their own staff covering events in that
country. International correspondents will also report on South Africa to [the]
rest of the world.

The Frontline States information ministers would like to see more attention
given to the reality inside South Africa of the liberation struggle, but that
again is not the main purpose of the Kadoma declaration. Their objection is to
the dissemination through the foreign correspondents in South Africa of false
reports about Angola, for example. The place to learn about Angola is Angola,
and not from mysterious briefings by South African army personnel who seek to
distract attention from South Africa's illegal occupation of Namibia. Corres-
pondents in Angola will see the reality of South African aggression, just as
correspondents in Mozambique could see the reality of the recent South African
aggression against Mozambican civilians in Maputo suburb of Matola.

39



previously. shut down two pot-lines, last November, and.a third in February for
the same reason.. In another development, Mr Opoku stated that VALCO had plans
to assist certain organisations in Tema to embark upon community projects in
the township. The company had had consultations with the Ghana Ports Authority,
Tema General Hospital, Tema District Council, Tema Development Corporation and
the Tema Technical Training Institute, which may result in VALCO helping to
train personnel of those organisations. Mr Opoku emphasised that VALCO was
willing to share its expertise with government agencies to help improve the
life of the community. [Text] [London WEST AFRICA in English No 3440 18 Jul

83 p 1680]

FIREARMS REGISTRATION--All people who have firearms have been requested to
register them with the police by 25 July. An official statement warned that
“anyone who fails to produce a registration certificate for any weapon, fire-
arm or explosives in his possession after this date will face severe revolu-
tionary action." [Excerpt] [London WEST AFRICA in English No 3441 25 Jul 83
Pp 1734]

TUC WANTS TAX REVIEW--The Trades Union Congress .(TUC) will press for a review
of the present tax structure during the next stage of negotiations with the
government. This would enable workers to derive full benefits from the gov-
ernment's new minimum wage of ¢25. Speaking to the GHANIAN TIMES, Mr S. S.
Q. Abloso, member of the TUC's Interim Management Committee delegation on the
negotiating committee, said that the government did not consider a taxation
level for workers during the previous negotiation, even though the topic was
raised by the TUC. He said the government's excuse was that it would have to
consult the Commissioner of Income Tax. "But our view was that because of the
increase in wages to ¢25 a day, it is necessary to raise the nontaxable wage
level to give the worker some tax relief and maintain the increase that has
been offered," he said. [Text] [London WEST AFRICA in English No 3441 25 Jul
83 p 1734]

ARMS PROHIBITED--The manufacture, possession and carrying of arms and ammuni-
tions in the Nkonya and Alavanyo traditional areas is now prohibited. The
public order was signed by the Attorney-General and Secretary for Justice,
Mr G. E. K. Aikins. The Volta Regional Secretary, Dr. Austin Asamoah-Tutu,
who announced this at.a press conference, said all those who possessed arms
and ammunitions should surrender them to the nearest police station. Members
of the armed forces and police duly authorised in writing by the Secretary
for Interior would be permitted to carry arms. Mr Asamoah-Tutu said that
though one of the main economic activities of the local people was gun manu~
facturing the ban had become necessary to enable the farming communities to
go about their work without any fear of molestation. [Text] [London WEST
AFRICA in English No 3441 25 Jul 83 p 1734]

PORT SECURITY--The PNDC has approved recommendations for the reorganisation of
port security at both Tema and Takoradi Harbours to ensure maximum security of
goods and services within the ports. A statement issued by the PNDC said as
part of the reorganisation exercise the government has appointed Lt-Col L. K.
Appiah as Deputy Director of Port Security, Ghana Ports Authority and Warrant
Officer Class I. Kwantabisa, Security Coordinator. Selected personnel from
the Ghana Ports Authority are to undergo basic military training at Michel
Campt as part of the reorganisation of port security and after their training

27



MOZAMBIQUE

BRIEFS

WATER ASSISTANCE FROM UN--Mozambique and the United Nations today signed an
agreement for an emergency water supply project to Maputo city. The United
Nations Development Program was represented by (Walter Deutsch). Diplomats
from Holland, France, and Italy, who will help finance the project and supply,
equipment and technical services, were also present. Mozambique was represent—
ed by the secretary of state for international cooperation, Antonio Sumbane.
Five of the newly created districts of Maputo city, amounting to more than half
the capital, will be the first to benefit from the emergency water supply
beginning early next year. However, the project will also cover all districts
of Maputo Province affected by drought. The director of the project, Adriano
Saraiva, said work has already started near the Umbuluzi River. [Text]
[MB031837 Maputo in English to Southern Africa 1800 GMT 3 Aug 83]

UNEMPLOYED RESPOND TO GOVERNMENT'S APPEAL--More than 5,000 unemployed Mozam-
bicans in the port city of Beira have volunteered to go to the countryside to
take part in production work. This was reported by the Beira newspaper DIARIO
DE MOCAMBIQUE. The unemployed in Beira were responding to a government appeal
for people to come forward and register for rural work. The campaign is known
as Operation Production and has been underway nationwide for several weeks.

In Maputo, the capital, 2,000 people registered. Most of the unemployed have
been resettled in the northern provinces of Niassa and Cabo Delgado. Internal
Affairs Minister Armando Guebuza, who is in charge of Operation Production, is
currently touring the area to check on how the people are being integrated
there. [Text] [MB011625 Maputo in English to Southern Africa 1100 GMT 1 Aug
83]

SOVIET TRUCKS TO MAPUTO--On Monday the Soviet charge d'affaires in Maputo
delivered six trucks equipped to clean streets, water gardens, and collect
refuse. The trucks were given by the city of Moscow to the city of Maputo in
the framework of the agreements that were signed when a delegation from Maputo
visited Moscow last year. Speaking on the occasion the Soviet charge d'affaires
in Maputo said that the offer was based on the principles of internationalism
and solidarity with the struggle of the Mozambican people. : Alberto Mssavan-
hane, mayor of Maputo, received the offer and said that it is proof of the

good relations between the two peoples. [Text] [MB031248 Maputo Domestic
Service in Portuguese 1030 GMT 3 Aug 83]

44



BRIEFS

SHEANUT PRODUCTION~-The Cocoa Marketing Board (CMB) has released ¢8m. and 2,000
sacks initially for the purchase of sheanuts. The CMB will also release a
number of tractors and tipper trucks for the speedy evacuation and improvement
in the production and handling of sheanuts. The chief executive of the CMB,
Mr Kwame Gyamfi, announced this when he called on the Northern Regional Secre-
tary, Mr Huudu Yahaya, at the Regional Administration in Tamale. [Excerpt]
[London WEST AFRICA in English No 3441 25 Jul 83 p 1735]

AUSTRALIAN RICE AID--The Australian government has presented 2,000 tonnes of
rice to the government. The rice is to be distributed on behalf of the
Australian government by the World Food Programme under the "Food for Work
Programme." [Text] [London WEST AFRICA in English No 3441 25 Jul 83 p 1735]

COCOA REPLANTING--The eastern region of Ghana will have 1,400 hectares of
burnt cocoa farmland replanted this season, out of a total replanting pro-
gramme of 2,400 hectares, according to a Ghana cocoa services division offi-~
cial. The remaining 960 hectares will be replanted in The Ashanti, Brong
Ahafo, Volta, Western and Central regions, he said. There are 4.5 million
seedings available for this season's replanting, all of which are hybrid and
should yield 210 kilograms per acre. The official added that the 1,440 hec-
tares should be producing about 8,500 tonnes by 1986-87. However, cocoa mar-
keting officials are concerned that cocoa farmers whose farms were destroyed
are not replanting but instead are turning to cash crops, whose producer
prices are higher than that of cocoa. One official said that consequently
output in the next five seasons may average only 100,000 tonnes. [Text]
[London WEST AFRICA in English No 3441 25 Jul 83 p 1727]

VALCO LOW ENERGY EXPERIMENT--The Volta Aluminum Company is to go ahead with
the operation of 25 pots as part of an experiment in a low energy consumption
development programme. The 25 pots, together with 175 others, make up the
remaining two pot-lines which the Volta River Authority had advised VALCO

to shut down from 15 June as a result of the low water level of the Volta
lake. Mr Nick Opoku, Community Relations Manager of VALCO said the permis-
sion to go ahead with the experiment followed a special request made to the
VRA. He said when fully developed, the programme was expected to enable
VALCO to use less electrical power for the same amount of production. VALCO,
Mr Opoki said, had complied with the VRA's advice and had since midnight on
14 June, taken the two remaining pot-lines out of service. The company had

26


The next day was one of separation, The women and children left, The men

remained, Their last goodbyes were brief, Five minutes, Everyone was laugh-

ing, Nervously, The truck took off and the men were left alone in the dust,

It was only then that their faces winced, "How long are we going to stay

- here?" all of them asked us, We could not give them any sort of answer, This
afternoon we are in Jamba (elephant in the local language, the symbol of power
in Africa), It is the UNITA "capital," The Red Cross representatives were
delayed, ‘They will not be here until late in the evening, Never mind, a

_ grandiose ceremony has been organized for the return of the hostages, It will
take place without them, "The Central Committee was not unanimously in favor
of releasing the Czech women and children," Jonas Savimbi says, "I have re-
ceived many messages from those who were opposed to their departure, I mst
explain why," Several thousand people are assembled in a vast clearing, On
one side there are immense frescos that magnify UNITA's struggle: Soviet tanks
being blown up by mines, helicopters crashing to earth and the ever-present
Savimbi, with his beard, his beret, his cartridge belt and his Magnum 247 with
parrel, Opposite us there is a platform with an enormous red armchair, Behind
it another immense portrait of the "supreme leader," as the guerrillas refer
to him, Jonas Savimbi arrives in the "stadium," There is an ovation, Oppo=
site him a battalion drawn up in square formation, impeccable in their blue
and green uniforms, presents arms, ‘The parade begins,

His voice amplified by a powerful public address system, the UNITA president
addresses the crowd in Portuguese, He thunders out against Soviet expansionism, -
the Cuban presence in Angola and the Luanda “minority government," The mob
shouts slogans, To explain the release of the hostages, Mr Savimbi uses the
local language, the tension of the atmosphere is relieved and people laugh,

"Conduct Ourselves Like a State"

The hostages set out again, The military parade begins, We recognize all the
weapons captured from the enemy, from Kalashnikovs to "Stalin's organs,"
mounted on Soviet or Polish trucks, No evidence of South African aid, The
Mercedes and Toyotas "purchased" on the other side of the border (at $36,000
apiece, the lieutenant colonel in charge of logistics assured me) will not
figure in the parade,

The third act will be performed this evening, In an open-air theater where we
will again find the same frescos, the same slogans as this afternoon, There
are fewer people present, The man in charge of information distributes a
program in three parts: a, a statement in remembrance of a commander who died
in combat against the Cubans; b, ‘the return of the training courses to the
Red Cross; c, the celebration of a black culture day, Then the four IRCC
representatives, three men and one woman, appear on stage —- rather annoyed,

it would seem, to find themselves facing cameras and microphones, ‘They sit
down, ‘The dancing and singing begin, Then a delegation of Czech prisoners
appears, Three women and the oldest of the children, They line them up in
the middle of the theater under the floodlights, Mr Savimbi embarks on a
speech that is much more moving than the one he gave this afternoon, His voice
is solemn, moved by emotion when he speaks of the women who have been tortured
and raped by the opponents of his party, full when he analyzes the situation —

3



GABON

MINISTER INSPECTS PRC-CONSTRUCTED MEDICAL CENTER
Libreville L'UNION in French 12 Jul 83 p 4
[Article by Louis De Dravo and Roger Obame]

[Text] Dr Jean-Pierre Okias, minister. of public health and population, paid
an inspection visit to the future medical~social center built by the Chinese
in Akebe-Belle-Vue on Friday, 8 July. The minister was accompanied by members
of his staff and several top public health officials, including Adande-Menest
and Martial Mboumba. .

It was 11:30 when Jean-Pierre Okias arrived at the site, accompanied by Liu
Yufeng, ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Gabon. After greeting
members of the Chinese technical mission, the minister and his entourage
immediately embarked upon their inspection tour. The minister was able to
personally observe progress on the work and certain purely technical and mater-
ial difficulties confronting the Chinese at work'on the center.

Despite these minor difficulties, there can be no doubt that the Chinese will
somehow deliver this masterpiece, to which they alone have the secret, in
October.

The center, born of Chinese-Gabonese cooperation, covers.an area of over

3,000 square meters and has 25 hospital beds. Examination rooms will be in-
cluded, with, in particular, an acupuncture. room.and a gynecology and pediatric
clinics, which will be on an out-patient basis.

According to Dr Adande~Menest, the medical-social center will engage in various
activities, associating traditional Chinese and Gabonese medicine with the
so-called modern medicine. In addition, treatment will be provided by both
Chinese and Gabonese doctors.

Partially financed by the Gabonese Government and China, the center is the

first to be built by Chinese in our country. However, in the years ahead, t
there are plans for a similar but larger center in Upper Ogooue.

11,464
cso: 3419/1099

17


ruthlessly stamped out. There will be no end to our economic tears as long as
those who handle public funds and property lack probity and responsibility,
and occasionally resort to looting and plundering.

One merit in the budget is that it has spread the burden of taxpaying. In the
past only a few people were concerned about how government spent public funds.
Now more than half a million Zimbabweans are going to be concerned. They have
vested interests. They must supervise the spending of their money by the
government.

We see no justifiable reason for the murmurings by some companies. Last year
they were left intact. It would have been most unreasonable for Dr Chidzero
to have made an exception of them. He would have been guilty of partiality.

CSO: 3400/1732 - END -

54



Indeed, it would be stupid to try to.keep the factory from running, no matter
what the costs; recoyery is an industrial operation useful to our society,
it reduces waste.. But it must be carried out under hygienically sound
conditions with rigorous safety precautions.

This story should serve as-an example: it proyes that Ivory Coast does have a
body of enforceable regulations. Eyen if the latter is a bit dated (it goes
back to 1926), at least it is on the books and provides a minimum of protection.

If the regulation is poorly enforced, the fault lies with the bureaucratic
functionaries who do not do their job well: how does it happen, in fact, that
the Industrial Environment inspectors, who are supposed to carry out two
inspections per year, saw nothing themselves and failed to follow up on
neighborhood complaints?

When The Media Gets Involved

Fortunately, social pressure can be exerted, especially when it is supported by
the media. It is satisfying to see how quickly the Afrique-Metaux Industries
affair was resolved, once FRATERNITE MATIN got involved.

Since we have such power (in the best sense of the word), we will not fail to
bring it to bear whenever we believe the cause is just.

9516
cso: 5000/208

34



MADAGASCAR

OMNIS CHAIRMAN DISCUSSES ENERGY NEEDS
Antananarivo MADAGASCAR MATIN in French 16 Jun 83 pp 1, 2

[Text] The People's National Assembly met in plenary session yesterday [15
June] and considered two ordinances. The first bill, No 83-005, concerned the
ratification of the loan agreement concluded on 19 January 1983 with the OPEC
Fund. The second bill, No 83-011, covered the ratification of the loan
agreement concluded with the KFW [Kreditanstalt fur Wideraufbau] to meet
Madagascar's import needs.

The bill regarding the loan concluded with the OPEC Fund for the exploitation
of Tsimiroro heavy oils and which amounts to 1,875,000,000 Madagascar francs,
drew particular attention from the deputies present for the session. Further-
more, several questions were directed to Hubert Andrianasolo, director general
of OMNIS [National Military Office for Strategic Industries], who attended
this session. The questions dealt specifically with Tsimiroro and also with
Bemolanga. He gave the deputies answers which could not have been more
satisfactory.

Yesterday's session, which was presided over by LM X Andrianarahinjaka, the
president of the ANP [People's National Assembly], began with the presentation
of the report by Jean Paul Ramarokoto, recorder [rapporteur] of the Committee
on Economic, Financial, and Foreign Affairs, concerning the discussion of bill
No 83-005 on 8 June. That day Hubert Andrianasolo was heard by the members of
the committee. His speech on Tsimiroro was reported to the deputies yesterday
by J P Ramarokoto. This speech was followed by many questions, and we set

out the main points as follows:

After 1988

Hubert Andrianasolo told members of the Committee on Economic, Financial, and
Foreign Affairs: "First of all, it should be noted that this loan bears an
interest rate of 0.75 percent and is repayable within 15 years. For the first
5 years we don't pay anything. It is only after 1988 and until the year 2002
that we will begin to pay the interest. You recall," he said, "that another
loan granted by the World Bank, amounting to $11.5 million, was already
considered by the ANP last year. Today, therefore, we have borrowed about

$16 million in all. These sums of money were exclusively used to test drilling

35



ZAIRE

CHINESE VOLUNTEERS WORKING IN UPPER ZAIRE
Kinshasa ELIMA in French 29 Jun 83 p 7

[Text] The nevs in Upper Zaire recently has been dominated by the visit of the
Chinese Ambassador to Zaire, His Excellency Li Shan Yi.

But why should the presence of the Chinese diplomat draw so much attention from
all sides in the region? The answer is simple: Upper Zaire is getting help
from 300 Chinese experts, or three-fourths of all the Chinese aid workers in
Zaire.

It goes without saying that His Excellency Mr Li Shan Yi paid a visit to this
part of the republic in order to view the work being carried out by his
compatriots working on the Lotokila Sugar Refinery (Yawenda) and the Chinese
military mission, which is responsible for the training of the units of the
41st Shock Commando Brigade, under the command of Colonel Bem Essalo Mongwa
and based on the right bank of the Zaire River at Kisangani.

Giving his impressions from the trip to the region, following some very
impressive military demonstrations, the Chinese Ambassador said he was quite
pleased. He took the opportunity to emphasize the excellent state of bilateral
relations bewteen his country and Zaire in every field. He also praised the
efforts being carried out by the regional government to insure that the Lotokila
Sugar Refinery construction project is completed on schedule, that is by the
end of 1984.

Upper Zaire's top official, Citizen Sukadi Bulayi Mudimbe underlined the
contribution the Chinese Government is making to the socio-economic development
of the region. He thus paid a number of compliments to the Chinese aid workers
for their tireless work at Lotokila and the effective training being provided
to elements of the 41st FAZ Zairian Armed Forces] Commando Brigade at Kisangani.
Finally, he mentioned the irreproachable deportment of our Chinese guests in
Zaire. The Chinese diplomat departed Upper Zaire last Sunday to return to
Kinshasa.

9516
CsO: 3419/1056

50



to have a cursory look at the financial
needs of a typical civil servant in Accra in
1983. Let’s say that he has a wife and three
children and that he lives in a government
bungalow (which he will, of course, have to
vacate upon termination of his contract).
He even has a private car, in commemora-
tion of better days. Let’s start with the
sunny side: his rent is incredibly low: less
than a quarter of the value of an average-
sized yam, because it is a fixed percentage
of his salary, which is worth less than three
of those yams (per month!). School fees for
the children are also minimal, but so is the
attention they get at school. for their’
teachers are as underpaid as their father.
He can also claim free medical care, and
will get some drugs free, or nearly so. But
should any serious ailment befall him, he
should be prepared to bring to hospital his
own plaster, bandages, Paracetamol, in-
travenous drip, bedsheets, cutlery, crock-
ery, etc. His relatives in his home town,
who have partly financed his expensive
education, still can’t believe that their
“been-to”, respectable uncle in Accra is
really poor. So they send their most prom-
ising offspring to him to sponsor their
education. They will lodge in the “‘stew-
ards’ quarters”, as the family obviously
no longer can afford the luxury of domestic
servants. The fees for their day-school
amount to about €600 per term, but for
transport and lunch, the two of them will
need at least C80 to €100 a day, so that
uncle has to spend at least €2,000 per
month on the education of his nephews.
For his own family of wife and three’
children, of primary school’ age, and his
wards he will need at least €3,000 per |
week for food. Ask any Accra housewife,
and she will confirm that that is the least
amount one needs to feed a family of seven |
for a week. When our friend’s ancient car‘
broke down, some years ago, the depart- |
mental bus used to come to collect him, but |
now that there are no tyres, battery or
engine oil for that vehicle either, he has to |
spend at least €20 on transport every day. |
His wife will spend at least another €200 |
on taxi fares when going to the market, |
especially on the way back, when she has
to bribe the driver into the forbidden

23

practice of “dropping”, as her shopping
bag is too heavy to carry all the way to her
house from the main road. Add it all up,
and you will see that our friend will need
more than €15,000 per month to survive
with his family, without counting a penny
for pleasure or leisure, books or clothes, or
even insurance premiums, water or electri-
city bills. The typical salary, with allow-
ances, etc, for such a person is about
1,000, and even after the maximum
adjustment allowed by the budget, it will
not be more than about €1,150 per month.
No doubt, the IMF knows well that
Ghana is in trouble and that it needs some
kind of “economic package” as it is always
mysteriously called, including some form
of devaluation. But can that same august
body have demanded that first, all’ the
“respectable poor” should be killed off by
a freeze on their income? The cedi is now
worth less than one US cent on the open
market. Food prices, especially those of
locally-grown crops, follow closely the
black market rate of the currency (or is it
the other way round?), and one can indeed
not expect any family to live on $10-12 per
month. It is obvious that these “respect-
able poor", many of whom occupy vital
positions in the management of the nation-
al economy and administration, simply
cannot devote much of their time and
energy to their official duties. At best, they
absent themselves from their post in order
to devote time and energy to their farm or
on another, parallel, “mocnlighting” job;
at worst he does sit in his office, but mainly
in_order to receive bribes, spin-offs, etc.'
, if we want Our friend to do his work
‘seriously, and without that we can’t hope |
for economic recovery, he will need at least,
15 times as much salary as he gets now.
Suggest printing money, and immediate-
ly you will be faced with a storm of
indignation: don’t you see? That will cause
spiralling inflation! That may be so, but if
the present imbalance between prices and
incomes is maintained, absenteeism and
unproductivity (if not counter-productivity
or corruption!) will remain the only ingre-
dients for survival. There can be no econo-
mic recovery, let alone progress, without
productivity and incentive. If the extra,



ZIMBABWE

HARARE PAPER SAYS BUDGET 'NO SURPRISE"
MBO41924 Harare THE SUNDAY MAIL in English 31 Jul 83 p 8
[Editorial: "Sharing Burden"]

[Text] Unlike last year's budget, this year's "standstill budget" is one of
severe austerity. The hue and cry from both existing taxpayers and the newly
created ones, provides no surprise, just as the austerity budget itself was no
surprise.

Austerity budgets have never been known to find favour with taxpayers anywhere
in the world. This by itself is no justification for imposing a tough budget
on the people. But the inevitable question is whether Dr Chidzero had any
alternative, given the unenviable economic situation in which our country finds
itself.

It is rational and a common human behaviour that when people are facing hard
times they adopt austerity measures in the form of tightening their belts.
That is what 590,000 Zimbabweans, as well as companies, are being called upon
to do.

The causative factors behind the hard times our economy is facing can be divided
into those that are unavoidable and those that are avoidable. Recession belongs
to the former category. There is nothing the government and people of Zimbabwe
could have done to avoid recession. Let this fact be fully understood by those
who are inclined to fault-find and witch-hunt about our economic problems.

Public expenditure falls into the latter (avoidable) category. It is true to
say that some government departments have been squandering public funds with
astonishing callousness and carelessness.

It was appropriate and heartening that Cde Chidzero strongly warned against the
squander mania. It was more heartening that the assembly strongly applauded
the warning, showing their support for his call to adopt a more responsible
attitude to public funds. Ministries must set an example of frugality in the
use of public funds.

The attitude found among government personnel that regard public funds and
property as nobody's funds and as inexhaustible manna from heaven, must be

53



Air Transport Agreement With USSR To Expand Existing Relations
(Obame ‘Emane; L'UNION, 12 Jul 83)..ccecccccccccceceses

Decline in Coffee Production Noted
(Mualabu Mussamba; L'UNION, 14 Jul 83)..cccccesscecece

GHANA

Budget Worsens Plight of White Collar Employees
(WEST AFRICA, No 3441, 25 Jul 83).cssecccsecccecceeecs

VALCO Willing To Renogotiate With Government
(WEST AFRICA, No’3440, 18 Jul 83).cceccecesceccecceece

Briefs
Sheanut Production
Australian Rice Aid
Cocoa Replanting
VALCO Low Energy Experiment
Firearms Registration
TUC Wants Tax Review
Arms Prohibited
Port Security
Fuel Situation
Salt Money for -Farming

GUINEA-BISSAU

France Donates Five Vehicles to FARP
(NO PINTCHA, 22 Jun 83).cccccccccccccccscccsscccccces

Briefs
Fuel Shortage, Power Outage
Industrial Cooperation With Portugal
Cultural Cooperation With China
Delegations to Yugoslavia, Bulgaria
Soviets to Explore Bauxite

IVORY COAST

Koumassi Lead Foundry Closed, Easing Pollution
(FRATERNITE MATIN, 22 Jun 83) .cccecescecccccecceccecs

MADAGASCAR

OMNIS Chairman Discusses Energy Needs
(MADAGASCAR MATIN, 16 Jun 83)...

18

20

22

32

35



transportation equipment and spend only a few hours at a time in the villages
of their territory of operations. For the transportation of weapons and equip-
ment they always enlist local carriers who are familiar with the roads.

The limited success of the government army is attributed to the fact that
Soviet advisers, Cuban and GDR officers are aiming at long-range goals in
their training methods and preparing for conventional warfare. Jean-Pierre
Langellier, the East Africa correspondent of the Paris paper LE MONDE arrived
at the same conclusion: Following independence, Moscow persuaded the FRELIMO
Government to buy heavy materials from the East bloc and re-equip its units
for a conventional war. Under Soviet leadership, the military academy in
Nampula is training tank drivers and tank gunners, applying precisely the
same requirements as the Warsaw Pact. Officers-in-training are learning
Russian and spending their vacations on the Black Sea--together with Czech
and Bulgarian candidates. Missile training is as inappropriate for the parti-
san war as is the training in the use of tanks and heavy artillery.

In Spite of Agitation: Political Contacts Remain

Mozambique needs helicopters and helicopter pilots and not sophisticated Mig
fighters. “Everything points to the fact," Langellier writes, “that the
Soviet Union is not supplying the military hardware peeded for a quick victory."

The number of Soviet military advisers is estimated at “between 800 and
1,000." They are not participating in the fighting. Internal security ser-
vices in Mozambique are also in the hands of GDR experts. Approximately

200 Cubans, 400 iTanzanians and 3,000 men from Zimbabwe are also involved.
Those from Zimbabwe are playing a role in the training of noncommissioned of-
ficers.

It is remarkable that in spite of all the agitation against South Africa and
in spite of the solid support of South African ANC saboteurs there is no
interruption in the political-diplomatic contact between Pretoria and Maputo.
The talks between South Africa's Minister of Foreign Affairs Roelof (Pik)
Botha and his colleague from Mozambique in December 1982 (in the border sta-
tion of Komatipoort) were followed in May by a new meeting, during which
Botha and Minister of Police Louis Le Grange informed their partners in the
meeting that the South African Peter Schoeman, who had been picked up in
Maputo, was by no means an agent instructed to murder Samora Machel but

that he was a criminal who had been convicted repeatedly and had also been
sought in South Africa.

42



The Kadoma declaration is intended to raise the level of reliable information.
The ministers are taking practical steps toward implementing the new inter-
national information order. The ministers plan close cooperation between the
independent countries of the region. They support the PAN-AFRICAN NEWS AGENCY
that came into service in May. All these moves are to improve knowledge and
understanding of the region and to give a stronger voice to independent Africa.

CSO: 3400/1733

40



CAPE VERDE

CAPE VERDE POLITICAL SITUATION DESCRIBED
Lisbon TEMPO in Portuguese 30 Jun 83 p 24
[Article by Luis Marinho]

[Text] "in spite of the effort made, we still have a long way to go." This
was said by Prime Minister Pedro Pires at the beginning of his speech at the
meeting held to present the elected leaders and the main conclusions of the
congress and symbolizes the spirit with which the Cape Verdian leaders see
the problems of their country and which they are trying to solve. The secret
is modesty, honesty and the methods used, but also competence and the zeal
with which the main decisions are implemented.

The Second Congress reaffirmed the continuation of the same policy, but also
definitely marked the creation of an autonomous and truly Cape Verdian party.

With the main aim of approving the documents which are to rule the life of
the party, 2.5 years after its formation, the Second PAICV [African Party for
the Independence of Cape Verde] Congress in fact marks the birth of this party
as an autonomous organization, endowed with its own life and following the
path marked at the beginning of the lessons of its own experience.

Someone called the Congress "Made in Cape Verde." As a matter of fact, Cape
Verdian leaders are proud of being they who had planned, prepared and carried
it out exclusively with national means and resources. At the Congress
matters of basic importance for the life of the country were decided, and what
was unique, was that representatives of the parties with whom the PAICV
maintains intimate relations, such as the MPLA-Labor Party and FRELIMO, have
not even been invited. Only foreign journalists were invited:to attend the
Congress (at the opening and closing sessions). The journalists were able also
to visit some of the Cape Verdian regions and see what was achieved during the
8 years of independence. As a matter of fact, this was’ to confirm what

Prime Minister Pedro Pires had said: "It is necessary to do a lot with almost
nothing."" Cape Verdian experience is based on this and the country is
advancing steadily. Some observers may think that the pace is somewhat slow.
They should remember the principle which was given to us by President
Aristides Pereira: "Cape Verde cannot afford the luxury of making mistakes."

10



For their part, the people's elected representatiyes.who were contacted alerted
the local authority to the situation at a meeting of the enlarged people's
committee, calling on him to listen to the cries of the populace,. The local

authority promised to remedy the situation. We are still waiting for him to
do'so.

9516
CSO: 3419/1056

52


ideas. Neutral position in relation to the two blocs and nonauthorization OF
installation of military bases in the country. President Aristides Pereira,
who is in charge of implementing these directives, is a figure respected in
the filed of international affairs and his intervention in various situations
has been requested. For example, we should recall the meetings between
delegations from Angola and South Africa to discuss the serious differences
between the two countries, and more recently, the intervention of the Cape
Verdian president, as part of the group of 12, which decisively contributed to
solving the impasse around the OAU in Addis Ababa.

In spite of everything, the PAICV does not. hide its ideological orientation
turned to "building a new society of justice, progress, freedom and wellbeing
of citizens, where there is not exploitation of man by.man." At the same

time, the Cape Verdian political system presents as its fundamental elements
the party, the state and mass organizations. The party is defined as "a central
leading nucleus, the first and principal institution of political power, which
transmits to the state all the directives of political, economic and social
nature."

The Cape Verdian situation is not apparent only from the conclusions of the
Congress. In spite of the great importance that this meeting had, much more
is needed to get to know a country that has been independent for 8 years.

A simple conversation with an anonymous citizen or a meeting in a square or in
a bar, where the sound of a violin and viola accompanies the conversation, help
to know a country and the relations among people. In Cape Verde we did not
see any fear of saying this or that and of sometimes criticizing.

Cape Verde is today an important experience on the way to nonalignment and
development of a domestic policy in which the goals to be reached are studied
very carefully. In one word, that African country, made up of several barren
and arid islands is a proof that "poverty is not always synonymous with
submission."

11634
CSO: 3442/278

12



JPRS 84139

17 August 1983

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA REPORT

No. 2833

ConTENTS

ANGOLA

Reportage on UNITA's Czechoslovak Hostages

(Yves Loiseau; LE MONDE, 30 Jun 83).. 1
BURUNDI
Call for Crackdown on Rising Criminality
(Alexis Nimbona; LE RENOUVEAU DE BURUNDI,
26, 27 Jun 83) .cccccccevcvccccccecs 5

CAMEROON

Cameroon Seeks To Shake Off French Dependency
(Robert von Lucius; FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE,
28 Jul 83)...cceceeeeseees

CAPE VERDE

Cape Verde Political Situation Described
(Luis Marinho; TEMPO, 30 Jun 83)..ccceccccccsccceces 10

Cape Verde Islands: Struggle With Nature
(Costa Flemming; DAGENS NYHETER, 16 Jul 83)........- 13

Briefs
Possible Cabinet Reshuffle 16

GABON

Minister Inspects PRC-Constructed Medical Center
(Louis De Dravo, Rober Obame; L'UNION, 12 Jul 83).... 17

-a- {III - NE & A - 120]



So there were petitions being signed eyerywhere.

Mr Toure Youssouf, ‘the union representatiye at the Tim enterprise, began
writing to eyeryone; to the Ministry of Enyironment, the Ministry of Health,
the mayor's office. No response.

Last resort; -FRATERNITEMATIN. A letter was sent to us, which we published.
The inhabitants of Koumassi implored us: "Something must be done." Our
investigation of the air pollution at Saco showed the people that we are not
afraid to tell the truth.

The Fear of Unemployment

In the factory, there were some 40 employees who kept quiet. Pursuing our
investigation, we tried to find out about their working conditions. "We
cannot talk. If we say anything, we will be fired, and if the factory closes,
we will lose our jobs." There were two employees, however, who needed no
words to convey the truth about their physical condition: the eyes of the
first were completely reddened and bloodshot. The second was coughing and
spitting up blood...These were the two workers stationed at the smelters
themselves, who received maximum exposure.

The fear of joblessness was so great that these two men bore their scandalous
condition in silence. Oh! of course they donned handkerchiefs as a kind of
protective mask, but the ambient air was so polluted that they still received
overdoses of lead oxide before the end of the day.

The "Bed of Roses" Unmasked

We pursued our inquiry further, to the Ministry of Environment, where the
directorate of industrial environment has the right of inspection of
industrial establishments, which are classified in three categories according
to the degree of harmfulness. In this way we ascertained that Afrique-Metaux
Industries is not registered anywhere as a lead foundry. It was listed,
however, among the Category No. 1 establishments subject to administrative
inquiry, and required to have an operating permit.

The management of Afrique-Metaux Industries treated its obligations so
lightly!

So, as always, the "bed of roses" is unmasked and illicit industry discovered.

The Koumassi mayor's office, backed up by the regulations governing industrial
establishments, shut down Afrique-Metaux Industries with no further ado.

The 1926 Regulation Is A Good Qne

Obviously, the company has every chance of reopening someday, but on condition,
to be sure, that it complies with regulations and respects its neighbors.

33



Since the chain saws have now. been repaired, the clearing program should be
resumed immediately after tle harvest. Insecticide treatment has been done on
12 hectares in the Medouneu sector.

In Ogooue-Ivindo, a nursery started in Batouala has nearly 5,000 plants ready
for planting. Treatments for ants have been completed in the canton of Moug-::
nani. No rehabilitation operation has been completed because of chain. saw
problems. Results seem very poor compared with the sums spent.

Three organizers based in Lebamba, Mimongo and Mbigou are working in the field
in Ngounie. Rejuvenation of the old plantations-by clearing involved 4,886
trees. Four nurseries. were started with a total of 9,000 plants. The l-hectare
pilot plantation started in September 1981 was completely redone (clearing

and replanting).

The amount spent per province was 5,200,278 francs for the 1981-1982 season.

The situation in Upper Ogooue-is mainly characterized by the rehabilitation of
old plantations by clearing in the following sectors: Okondja (12,165 trees),
Franceville (1,518 trees), and Akieni-Plateau (2,714 trees).

As for the fight against plant diseases and pests, the following sectors were
treated: Okondja (20 hectares, Franceville (25 hectares) , and Akieni Plateau "
(20 hectares).

Results obtained were very uneven depending on the province. The cause of the
inequality, Assoumou explained, has to do with followup of. organizers,

mainly done by provincial agricultural officials. ‘In order to be more effec-
tive, Assoumou has asked that aid to production be included in a program worked
out with agricultural departments.

Assoumou admitted that the Coffee Fund will not ‘have adequate means to pursue
on its own actions whose results are questionable.

11,464
cso: 3419/1099

21



NOTE

JPRS publications contain information primarily from foreign
newspapers, periodicals and books, but also from news agency
transmissions and broadcasts. Materials from foreign-language
sources are translated; those from English-language sources
are transcribed or reprinted, with the original phrasing and
other characteristics retained.

Headlines, editorial reports, and material enclosed in brackets
[] are supplied by JPRS. Processing indicators such as [Text]
or [Excerpt] in the first line of each item, or following the
last line of a brief, indicate how the original information was
processed. Where no processing indicator is given, the infor-
mation was summarized or extracted.

Unfamiliar names rendered phonetically or transliterated are
enclosed in parentheses. Words or names preceded by a ques-
tion mark and enclosed in parentheses were not clear in the
original but have been supplied as appropriate in context.
Other unattributed parenthetical notes within the body of an
item originate with the source. Times within items are as
given by source.

The contents of this publication in no way represent the poli-
cies, views or attitudes of the U.S. Government.

PROCUREMENT OF PUBLICATIONS

JPRS publications may be ordered from the National Technical
Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161. In order-
ing, it is recommended that the JPRS number, title, date and
author, if applicable, of publication be cited.

Current JPRS publications are announced in Government Reports
Announcements issued semi-monthly by the National Technical
Information Service, and are listed in the Monthly Catalog of
U.S. Government. Publications issued by the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
20402.

Correspondence pertaining to matters other than procurement
may be addressed to Joint Publications Research Service,
1000 North Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia 22201.



NEW MAPUTO ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION--The Maputo City Committee approved the
proposal for the division of the capital into urban districts yesterday. Thus,
the city of Maputo will have eight urban districts, including four localities,
namely Boquisso and Matola Gare. [sentence as heard] The districts cover all
the suburbs of the capital, and the respective district leaders will be
appointed soon. This decision was taken during the third session of the Maputo
City Party Committee, which also analyzed the progress of Operation Production
and the activities carried out by the various working commissions which had
been formed during the last session. [Text] [MB031248 Maputo Domestic Service
in Portuguese 0800 GMT 3 Aug 83]

CsO: 3442/311

45



GUINEA-BISSAU

FRANCE DONATES FIVE VEHICLES TO FARP
Bissau NO PINTCHA in Portuguese 22 Jun 83 p. 3

[Text] In a ceremony held the day before yesterday at the Amura Barracks in
Bissau, the ambassador of France accredited to our country, Ivan Robin,
delivered a donation from the French Army to the leadership of the FARP
[People's Revolutionary Armed Forces] in the person'of the First Commander
Iafai Camara, the vice minister of armed forces.

The donation consists of five vehicles Saviem TP3 and some sporting goods.

The French ambassador made a short speech at the ceremony. He expressed his
wishes that this modest contribution will be able to alleviate, in part, some
of the material difficulties.

Present at the ceremony were Comrades Domingos Brito, member of the PAIGC
Central Committee and secretary general of FARP, and Commander Jose Nancassa,
member of the PAIGC Central Committee and head of the FARP political depart-
ment, as well as other officers.

In his reply, Comrade Iafai Camara gave thanks for the offer, saying that this
aid will allow greater mobility of our armed forces because one of the problems
that most concerns our army is lack of transport.

Comrade Domingos Brito also spoke at the ceremony. After praising the good
relations between the FARP ministry and the French Ministry of Defense, he
said that the donation will be well utilized because it will increase our
capacity to defend and preserve the victories achieved by our people during
the long years of sacrifice and hard struggle.

At the conclusion of his speech, he thanked the French Ministry of Defense
and said that this gesture will certainly contribute even more to the
strengthening of good relations of friendship and cooperation that exist
between our nations.

11635
CSO: 3442/277

29



these are only indications," he remarked. He also made clear that there is

no contradiction between preparing to work in the Tsimiroro and Bemolanga
areas, eyen if the latter field has. first priority... And the director general
of OMNIS continued, stating that inyitations to pid haye been opened concerning
petroleum research which QMNIS will undertake in the Nosy-Be, Ambilobe,
Morondava, and Morombe areas. Regarding OMNIS personnel, he said that at
present there are 100 officials, engineers, chemists, economists, lawyers,

etc!

Royalties

In response to a question from a deputy who was concerned about the 49
percent interest given to foreign firms in case of "commercial discoveries"
of oil, Col Hubert Andrianasolo could not have been more explicit on this
subject: "You should not forget that the foreign companies will, in
addition, have to pay taxes to Madagascar, as well as royalties which will
depend on the production." The deputies then voted. The ratification of
Ordinance No 83-005 was unanimously approved, as well as Ordinance No 83-011,
regarding the loan from the KFW Bank.

5170
CsO: 3419/1049

38



cso:

3400/1717

printed money is distributed judiciously so
that a healthy balance of values is re-
established, the national economy will be '
revived. The Secretary for Finance and
Economic Planning stated, shortly after
launching the budget, that there is no
foreign exchange to print new money.
It did not stop prices from going up,
however. 1

The clock cannot be turned back; tem-
porarily, as a result of good harvests or, far’
worse, as a result of military, police or civil
violence, market prices may sometimes!
come down a little, but the main trend will
always be, in Ghana as in other parts of the |
world, for prices to go upwards. To keep
incomes and some prices artificially down’
only leads to gross injustice and apathy. If
something is not done soon to come to
grips with that reality, not only Ghana’s'
Poor, but the whole nation will lose the last
is of respectability. i

24



century) in Buea now serves as the second home of the country's president. There is
no museum dealing with the German era, nor'does one seem to be wanted. Documents
from the German era are preserved’ in a special room at the National Archives—-all

20 tons, we are told by the enthusiastic head of the German department. They are
cursorily bundled, covered-in dust and cobweb and enjoy no noticeable security pre-
cautions. In Kribi, a resort town’in-the south of the country, we met an 80-year
old man who studied German inthe Catholic mission school until 1914 and still speaks
it fluently. A photograph showing this man, Ludwig Ngonde--nicknamed "Papa Louis"--
also depicts about a dozen elderly men who had learned German in Kribi in the era of
the protectorate; its owner had put a neat cross above all the other faces: He is
the last survivor. Another photograph shows him and former Berlin governing mayor
Schuetz who had hadinvited Papa Louis to visit’ Germany.

In the countryside it is impossible to forget that we are in the heart of Africa.
More Cameroonian than Western musicis ‘being played in. Kribi's discotheque, arranged
in open African round huts. In Bafusam, the dark green and fertile highlands of
the Bamilek tribe in the northwest, we meeta chieftain of the royal family on a cof-
fee plantation. The man, 42, presents to us his 25 wives and 65 children. The
hotel loudspeaker in Yaounde, the capital, on the other hand, tries to make the vi-
sitors feel at home by playing "Kreuzberg Nights," the sound of the Smurfs

and the New German Wave. Younger people in particular have often studied in Europe,
copy Western lifestyles~in the cities, desire to out-European the Europeans by their
modish clothing and behavior. Many of these young graduates are unemployed, espe-
cially lawyers and’ economists. Unemployment and urbanization are highly resistant
to attack, despite the government's efforts to decentralize industry and offer spe-
cial incentives to farming. Stores:in the cities are stocked abundantly. Well
known French and American newspapers are offered-in the streets, and nightlife is
lively. Cameroon is by far the major importer of French champagne in Africa: De-
spite a 15 percent decline, 475,000 bottles were imported last year. Champagne is
offered even on the occasion of unannounced visits to the home of the director of a
palm oil plantation or a prefect.

This sometimes exaggerated Westernization is accompanied by good schools: Confront-
ed with the same dilemma as all developing countries, Cameroon decided to spend its
scarce budget funds on mass education instead of educating an elite only. A proud
and dignified bearing characterizes the Cameroonians: There is little begging; un-
authorized photographing arouses anger; the people have a friendly and frank manner
of dealing with foreigners. In contrast to Nigeria we feel secure on Cameroon
streets.

As in other former French colonies, the political and business elite was early accul-
turated to French behavior and values. Still, 20 percent of the population were
English speaking; most of them reside in the western provinces. After World War I,
Cameroon was partitioned into a smaller British and a larger French district. First
only French Cameroon obtained independence, in 1960, In 1961, following a referen-
dum supervised by the United Nations, the inhabitants of the southern part of West
Cameroon decided for reunification, while the residents of the northern part joined
Nigeria. Early on Cameroon was a federal republic, attempting to reconcile French
and British legal and colonial traditions. For 14 years the government fought left
and, later, left radical rebels: who were subdued only after bloody struggles and

8



RWANDA

RACIAL IMPLICATIONS OF LAW LAID BARE
Bonn AFRIKA-POST in German Jun 83 p 13
[Article by R.: "'Immorality'--This Time in Rwanda"]

[Text] In Germany it was called "racial disgrace" during the 1930's. In
South Africa, the "immorality act" mandates a prison sentence for a white
person who does not say good-bye to a black or colored girl at the door but
only at the bedside. The fact that a black government, however, sends its
own black female citizens to prison camps "for re-education," because-—re-
gardless of the degree of intimacy--they had contacts with white-skinned
foreigners, was reserved to the authorities of the Republic of Rwanda.

The denial smelled of a bad conscience. It was not true, the authorities of
Kigali divulged, that "several dozens of young girls" had been picked up and
sent to re-education camps because they had cooperated or slept with
foreigners.

Furthermore, the assumption was totally wrong that the arrests had been di-
rected exclusively "against members of a certain tribe" (the reference is to
members of the Tutsi minority). On the other hand...well, there had been
raids. After all, prostitution, drug abuse and criminality should not be
permitted to spread unchecked.

The Americans and French in Kigali are of a different opinion. On account of
their cultural institutes and development services, they represent the largest
segment of young foreigners in Rwanda, one of the poorest countries in Africa,
approximately 1,000 kilometers from the ocean and severely disadvantaged in
other respects.

Even the U.S. ambassador--who certainly should not be suspected of being a
drug dealer or an owner of a brothel--protested to the police authorities be-
cause his secretary had been taken to the prison camp. In many cases the
young girls had been sent away, "beaten, degraded and raped" for no other rea-
son except that they had found work at an office of a foreign power.

Where is Rwanda located? In the middle of Africa, between Tanzania and Zaire,

south of Uganda, approximately the same size as Sardinia or Rhineland-
Palatinate. Between 1899 and 1920 it was part of German East Africa. Between

46



UPPER VOLTA

POWER VACUUM INCREASES GOVERNMENT VULNERABILITY

London WEST AFRICA in English No 3441 25 Jul 83 pp 1705-1706

[Text]

JUST A FEW WEEKS after the political
confrontation staged by a battalion of
para-commandos in the south, another
direct political challenge to the Conseil du
Salut du Peuple has been lost, but this time
through the country’s Supreme Court.

Nine days after the CSP took power in
November last year, they pensioned-off 21
senior army officers; three of these took
their case to the Supreme Court, claiming
the enforced retirements to be illegal. On
July 13 the court ruled decisively in favour
of the CSP.

The three plaintiffs were Lt-Col.
Dakoure, Commandant Ouedraogo and
Intendant-General Garango. Between
them they had held the posts of Minister of
Finance, Public Works, Information and
Rural Development, as well as the Ambas-
sadorship’s to Washington and Brussels, all
during the rule of President Lamizana,
between 1967 and 1979.

The -decree they claimed illegal was
passed November 16, 1982 pensionning
them off together with 18 of their col-
leagues so as “to cleanse the Voltaic armed ,
forces”. They based their main argument H
on the 1962 law which provides the statutes: '
governing Voltaic officers: The law lists the |
reasons for which an officer can be de-
moted, but “cleansing” is not among them.

The State's defence was that the decree
in question was an act of Government and
that the court should therefore’ declare
itself incompetent to judge. This was re-
jected by the court. ,

Instead, the court based itself on one of |
the first statutes passed by the provisional |
CSP, authorising the removal of military |
personnel because of the exceptional situa-!
tion. In particular, the statute gave the!
President power to pension off those!
whose continued activity was confirmed as!

being “incompatible with the necessary
Teorganisation and cleansing of the army”,
‘The Court declared the statute to be
the legal basis of the disputed decree (as
well as of two others referred to’ by the
plaintiffs).

But the Government's public display of
confidence following this court ruling does
not conceal the awareness of a political
vacuum,

Since the CSP effectively no longer exist’
and since the President publicly stated that
he was “not gifted in politics”, his Govern-
ment has become increasingly paralysed.

While the ousted radical group continue
to discuss the situation, they have yet to
‘come up with any concrete proposals. Spe-

_culation is mounting about a further milit-
ary coup, organised wi > support of the
traditional military heirarchy.

The justification for such a coup would
be that President Ouedraogo has lost any
power base he once had — the CSP, with
its rank and file from the armed forces.

The CSP is no longer a functioning body
for debate or decision making. It is unlike-
ly that they would support the President.
Ouedraogo has also disowned the potential
power base of “The People”, which could
at the very least have provided him with a
‘convenient justification for retaining pow-
er. Finally, in terms of the army heirarchy,
Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo is a nobody.

The President may stay in power, but he
is clearly aware of his growing vulnerabil-
ity. The most obvious indication of this can
be seen in the machine guns which have
now been mounted on to the bonnets of
the jeeps which accompany his car through
Ouagadougou. It has also been seen in the
increasingly heavy guard posted around
the area of Ouagadougou where he lives,!
although the curfew was finally lifted on!
June 29 people are turned away by armed!



Strengthening Internal Democracy

To guarantee democracy, starting from the principle of a single party, could
seem contradictory and, taking into account well-known experiences, somewhat
demagogical. The Cape Verdian experience shows us, in the meantime, that it
is possible to guarantee respect for democratic freedoms and, more than

that, recognize the constant need for increasing the effort at the domestic
level. As the main example we can point to the fact that there are no political
prisoners in Cape Verde. As another example there is the fact that elections
by secret vote of leadership organs were introduced at this Congress and that
the sessions reserved for criticism and self-criticism lasted close to 10
hours. In -a country’ with a state press, there is a Catholic Church newspaper
which frequently criticizes the actions of the party and the government. It
is TERRA NOVA, which is published on the island of S. Vicente and which the
government, according to what we have been told, is not harassing *or intends
to harass. However, the most evident proof, of what we are saying, was the
visit itself. that we made to that country. No restrictions of any. kind were
imposed on us to see, whatever we wanted and we had replies to all our
questions. The Cape Verdian experience, with all the defects that it may have
(and they are not hidden), is open and, above all, honest.

Among the Poorest of the World

Cape Verde is listed among the poorest countries of the world and, for this
reason, taking into account the almost complete lack of natural resources,
depends largely on foreign aid. - As its main source of income the country has
the remittances of emigrants (there are close to 600,000, exactly the double
of the resident population). Agriculture, which is indicated as the basic
economic sector, occupies close to 50 percent of active population which,
with undescribable effort, works the 40,000 hectares of arable land that the
country has, which represents 10 percent of the total surface. In the mean-—
time, we could see in this field, the efforts expended in tasks of reforesta-
tion and search for underground water tables which would make it possible to
extend arable land. This is an effort to defy nature, which does not give
respite to these tenacious people.

In the industrial sector the picture is not encouraging. Cape Verde does
not have an industry worthy of this name and the few existing enterprises are
characterized by their very low profitability linked in part to the
deterioration of its equipment.

The commercial. sector comes to’ be the dominant sector, living on its dependency
on imports controlled by the State. Part of the commerce belongs to private
enterprise and the supply of essential goods is regular. On Cape Verde we
were not able to observe the "famous" lines for supply of essential products.
Reaffirmation of Nonalignment

Depending as it is on outside financing, Cape Verde has been able to assume an
exemplary position of nonalignment. This policy is summarized by two main

11