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JPRS-SSA-87-013

19 FEBRUARY 1987

Sub-Saharan Africa Report

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JPRS-SSA-87-013

19 FEBRUARY 1987

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA REPORT

CONTENTS

INTER-AFRICAN AFFAIRS

ANGOLA

FRG Expert on Soviet Role, Policy in Region

(Gill Dwyer; AFRICAN CONCORD, 11 Dec 86) 1

North Korean Military Involvement in Africa Reviewed

(Thomas P. Ofcansky; AFRIQUE DEFENSE, Dec 86) 3

Possible Collapse of Crisis-Torn CEAO Discussed

(Saouti Haidara; AFRICA INTERNATIONAL, Dec 86) 7

Briefs

Air Services Agreement 12

MPLA Signs Cooperation Agreement With Cuba

(JORNAL DE ANGOLA, 21 Oct 86) 13

GDR Steel Industry Delegation Visits Benguela

(JORNAL DE ANGOLA, 28 Oct 86) 14

Officials Visit Kwilo-Ngongo at Zaire Border

(JORNAL DE ANGOLA, 22 Oct 86) 15

French Intelligence Reports Chemical Weapons in Use

(AFRICA CONFIDENCIAL, Oct 86) 17

London Publication Discusses UNITA-SADF Connection

(JORNAL DE ANGOLA, 10 Oct 86) 19

- a -
Official Vows Never To Negotiate With UNITA

(JORNAL DE ANGOLA, 22 Oct 86) 21

Former FNLA Members in Uije Join MPLA

(JORNAL DE ANGOLA, 29 Oct 86) 23

Chipenda Discusses Political Situation, UNITA

(Daniel Chipenda Interview; AFRICA, 26 Nov 86) 24

MPLA Diplomatic Maneuvers Discussed

(Carlos da Matta; SEMANARIO, 29 Nov 86) 34

Benguela Youth Join Armed Forces on Large Scale

(JORNAL DE ANGOLA 23 Oct 86) 37

Lunda-Sul Transport Shortage Hampers Distribution of Goods

(JORNAL DE ANGOLA, 10 Oct 86) 38

Lunda-Sul Experiencing Shortage of Transportation

(JORNAL DE ANGOLA, 28 Oct 86) 40

Measures Adopted To Improve Trade in Uije

(JORNAL DE ANGOLA, 17 Oct 86) 42

Sonangol's Contribution to Country's Economy Viewed

(JORNAL DE ANGOLA, 19 Oct 86) 44

Briefs

Spain Donates Flour 46

Municipal Officials Appointed 46

Bulgarian Delegation Visits 46

BPV Membership in Cunene 47

Cooperation Agreement With Ghana 47

Enlistment in Lubango 47

Social Emulation Recommended 47

Officials Appointed in Malanje 48

Zairian Border Opened 48

New Ranks Created 48

North Koreans in Africa 48

BURKINA

Proposed Budget Debated at National Conference

(CARREFOUR AFRICAIN, 19 Dec 86) 49

Organization of Commercial Sectors Discussed

(ZIDWAYA, 15, 18 Dec 86).... 52

Interest Groups Minister's Explanation, by S. Zerbo 52

Establishing Decree 53
Civil Aviation Director Discusses Plans

(Sankara Managa Bamba; SIDWAYA, 3 Dec 86) 55

COMOROS

Government Redrawing Electoral Boundaries

(THE INDIAN OCEAN NEWSLETTER, 13 Dec 86) 57

DJIBOUTI

GUINEA

Finance Minister on Austerity Measures

(Mohamed Djama Elabe Interview; LA NATION, 13 Nov 86) 58

Economic Cooperation Continues With FRG

(HOROYA, 12 Dec 86) 67

Livestock, Hevea, Palm Oil Development Loan Agreement Signed

(HOROYA, 12 Dec 86) 69

Grandes Chutes Hydroelectric Project Officially Opened

(Jerome Dramou; HOROYA, 10 Dec 86) 71

Briefs

Conakry Airport Improvement 73

Loan for Gold Mines 73

Arabic Magazine, Algerian Cooperation 74

LIBERIA

EEC Grant for Rural Water Supply Announced

(NEW LIBERIAN, 11 Nov 86) 75

ROK, China To Establish Light Industries

(Nyenati Allison; DAILY OBSERVER, 1 Dec 86) 76

UPP Chairman Matthews Speaks on Economic Issues

(G. Baccus Matthews; NEW LIBERIAN, 2 Dec 86) 77

Problems Continue in Education Field

(DAILY STAR, various dates) .....' 82

Monrovia Teachers Association Suspended 82

Teachers Strike for Fund Accountability, by

Nathaniel Jallah 83

Islamic Teachers' Strike Demands Arrears, by

Ephiriam Johns 84

- c
MADAGASCAR

University Students Strike Against Reform Directives

(THE INDIAN OCEAN NEWSLETTER, 13 Dec 86)

Briefs

Famine in South Confirmed 86

Budget Increased 86

MAURITIUS

Briefs

Libyan Assets To Be Freed 87

MOZAMBIQUE

Nation's Evolving Relations With U.S. Analyzed

(Sigawule Muyendzi; AFRICA, 26 Nov 86) 88

Visiting Soviet Labor Delegation Head Speaks

(NOTICIAS, 19 Dec 86)

Bilateral Relations Praised by PRC Ambassador

(NOTICIAS, 17 Dec 86)

Prime Minister Visits Pequenos Libombos Dam Site

(Almiro Santos; NOTICIAS, 19 Dec 86)

Fishing Potential of Inhambane Province Analyzed < (NOTICIAS, 16 Dec 86)

Scarcity of Fish in Markets, by Custodio Inacio 101

Fishermens' Meeting Seeks Solution 103

Production Increase Planned for 1987-89 104

Fishermen Welcome Combine Plan 105

Private Fisherman Speaks 107

Briefs

Doctors Without Frontiers Office 109

DPRK Youth Delegation Visit 109

NIGERIA

Yugoslavia Explores Countertrade Prospects

(Ola Jone; NEW NIGERIAN, 1 Dec 86)

Information Minister Momoh on High Inflation

(NEW NIGERIAN, 5 Dec 86)

Number of Expatriate Quota Applications Falls

(Abubakar Umar; NEW NIGERIAN, 6 Dec 86)

- d -
Transport Union Threatens Price Rise If Vehicle Prices Increase

(Sani Babadoko; NEW NIGERIAN, 4 Dec 86) 114

Police Able To Arrest Students on Campuses

(NEW NIGERIAN, 8 Dec 86) 115

Sokoto State Orders Closure of Illegal Mosques

(Ibrahim Salihu; NEW NIGERIAN, 8 Dec 86) 116

Air Force Commodore on Calabar Unit

(Clement Unegbu; SUNDAY NEW NIGERIAN, 7 Dec 86) 117

SOUTH AFRICA

AFRIKANER/GOVERNMENT

Jaap Marais Expects To Announce Cooperation Between CP, HNP

(DIE AFRIKANER,10 Dec 86) 118

Dutch Reformed Church on Brink of Schism

(DIE AFRIKANER, 10 Dec 86) 120

White Farmers' Land To Be Given to Blacks

(DIE AFRIKANER, 10 Dec 86) 122

/12223

e -
FRG EXPERT ON SOVIET ROLE, POLICY IN REGION

London AFRICAN CONCORD in English 11 Dec 86 p 28

[Article by Gill Dwyer]

INTER-AFRICAN AFFAIRS

[Text]

Superpower relations with Africa are

moving into a new era, according to

experts on Soviet and US policy there. The

new Soviet winds gathering momentum

under Gorbachev are being felt in Africa.

Partly in response to this, the Washington

hardliners seem poised to back out of more

aggressive policies.

Faced with African realities, the Soviet

Union is allowing African socialism to push

dreams of pure Marxism into the distant

future. It is tolerating gentle slides towards

the West in friendly African countries.

At this point its design for South Africa

is surprisingly modest, according to Dr

Winrich Kuhne, West Germany's foremost

expert on Soviet Africa policy, who has

just returned from a visit to Russia..

Kuhne, who is attached to a think tank

of the Bonn Government, Stiftung

Wissenschaft und Politik, was impressed by

the pragmatism and increasing openness of

discussion in the Soviet foreign policy

institutes.

At least one message was clear: Africa

has- made Moscow cynical. It finds the

complexities of ethnic conflicts too unmanageable, and at the same time it is

disappointed with African socialism. The

problem is what the Soviets call "objective

conditions".

Objective conditions

Kuhne explains: "Since the time of

Lenin it has been debated that the objective conditions — by this is meant industrialisation and a real working class — are

almost non-existent in Africa.

"But then they developed the doctrine

of socialist orientation where they hoped

that by building up the state economy,

mass organisations and a Marxist-Leninist

vanguard party, that it might be possible,

with the increasing might of the socialist

camp and military co-operation, still to

move in a socialist direction.

"In the late 1950s there was a lot of

optimism that the Soviets could create a

zone of peace in Africa from which they

could destabilise the capitalist world. The

first critical point was Ghana in 1966 when

they realised things were much more

difficult.

"Now even the outlook of socialist

orientation is vanishing. They don't say

this directly, but they do talk about a

longer time-span. One said to me that

before socialism comes to Africa it will be

'not only long, not only very long, but very

very long'. One has to correlate this with

talk of change among younger academics

in the USSR itself."

He continues, "I found Soviets quite

willing to admit that state farms and state

collectivisation is mostly a failure in Africa.

They say this is because many African

socialists are too hasty. You find more and

more Soviets who believe what is needed is

to reinforce private initiative, especially

among the peasantry."

Before his last visit to Moscow, Kuhne

shared a Western belief that South Africa

must be the great Soviet hope for socialism

in Africa because of its degree of industrialisation. But now he is convinced that

the USSR has no clear policy to turn South

Africa into a satellite.

He found agreement that after the fall of

apartheid, South Africa will stay economically linked to the West. He added: "What

they are hoping for is some sort of socialist
orientation with

a mixed economy. They

accept that the markets are in the West.

and that ideology cannot change the

economic factors.

"This view is not just among academics

but in the international department of the

central committee and other decisionmaking bodies. One sees that since 1981

they have actually given rather limited

support to the African National Congress

(ANC)."

Apart from economic factors, the

Soviets are wary of pinning hope on South

African socialism because they feel the

black opposition is too spontaneous and

unorganised.

Kuhne said: "The are suspicious of the

young comrades in the townships. They do

not believe that the young comrades

understand socialism. The Soviets misunderstand black consciousness and they

are afraid it is racialism.

"Of course, in their propaganda everything to do with the whites is bad. But the

Soviets are whites, and on the emotional

level the blacks may be more ofa problem

to them. One does not know which of these

views will surface in official policy. ButI

was surprised to find how much understanding they had for white minority

rights."

The new pragmatism does not extend

only to whites. Said Dr Kuhne: "If the

West starts an initiative to bring black and

white to the negotiating table, the Soviets

will insist that the ANC is given an

important role. But the peopleI spoke to

concede that Inkatha (the mainly Zulu

movement of the homeland under Chief

Gatsha Buthelezi) should be included too.

/9274

CSOr 3400/800

"Ethiopia, Angola and other countries

have made them afraid of ethnic problems

and they feel that national conciliation is

important from the beginning."

Soviet dilemma

Soviet behaviour in the Seventies suggested that the Soviets saw benefits in

trouble in southern Africa! But now they

do not want the situation to get too much

out of control. This is because it would

Tiake it more difficult to talk with the US

on global relations. They feel they already

have too many regional problems.

Reticence about provoking the Americans applies all over Africa, although

Kuhne stresses that in Angola and

Ethiopia, Soviet prestige will not allow

them to accept an open military defeat.

Froma strategic point of view it is, of

course, important to the USSR thata black

South Africa remains non-aligned. Particularly for civil cargo traffic to the East (more

than 50 per cent of which goes past the

Cape), they want to keep the Cape route

open.

But Kuhne does not foresee them trying

to geta military foothold in South Africa,

nor for that matter denying the West use of

South African minerals that the Soviet

Union itself produces.

He adds: "The Soviets do not have the

currency to stockpile these minerals. In

fact, to finance developmenta black

government would probably increase production for the Western market. In Angola, for example, all the oil goes to the West

and is exploited by Cuban soldiers."
INTER-AFRICAN AFFAIRS

NORTH KOREAN MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN AFRICA REVIEWED

Paris AFRIQUE DEFENSE in French Dec 86 pp 51-52

[Article by Thomas P Ofcansky: "Military Relations Between North Korea and

Sub-Saharan Africa"]

[Text] Josip Broz Tito, the Yugoslav president, died in May 1980. North Korea

immediately began a campaign aimed at increasing its influence with the NonAligned Movement and isolating South Korea from the Third World. In order to

achieve its goal, Pyongyong substantially increased its diplomatic and economic

relations and, above all, its military contacts, with some African countries,

Uganda, Zimbabwe and Angola among them. Each time, North Korea was able to

take advantage of existing social and political tensions to further its influence. However, after the few undeniable successes registered by the North

Koreans in those countries, there is reason to believe, in view of recent

events, that their long-term military policy risks very much to fall short of

its final objectives.

Zimbabwe

When Robert Mugabe became prime minister of Zimbabwe in 1980, the internal

security of the country was precarious. As a matter of fact, many former

guerrilla fighters, left with nothing to do, had turn to banditry to survive,

while violence and the settling of political grudges between the two leading

ethnic groups, the Shona and the Ndebele, had become common place. In short,

the chaos which prevailed during the first days of the independence made it

impossible to say whether the new Zimbabwe government would be in a position to

keep the entire country under its control. Consequently, no one was surprised

when, in August 1981, Mugabe announced that 106 North Koreans, a general and

four colonels among them, had arrived in Zimbabwe, accompanied by military

equipment valued at $16 million, ranging from artillery to armored, amphibian

and troop-carrier vehicles. This military mission was to train the 5,000 men

of the Fifth Brigade in the isolated Inyanga mountain region, east of the

country. Reacting almost immediately, Mugabe's opponents, regrouped under

Joshua Nkomo's leadership within the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU),

declared that the North Koreans were there to change the brigade into some sort

of pretorian guard entrusted with imposing a single party state. In fact,

Mugabe merely sent this unit to Mozambique early in 1982, to help the government of this neighboring country launch a 2-month offensive against the
Mozambique National Resistance (MNR), an anti-Marxist movement. It seems that

the combat behavior of the Fifth Brigade was deplorable. As a matter of fact,

according to persisting rumors, many soldiers fled the battle ground. Learning

from this failure, Mugabe reduced the number of North Korean instrustors to

three. He also decided to transfer the Fifth Brigade headquarters to Gweru, in

order to ensure the protection of the western center of Zimbabwe against the

ZAPU guerrilla's forays. Then, in October 1982, eager to increase his credibility within the Non-Aligned Movement, Mugabe received the first of some 100 North

Korean advisors recalled to Zimbabwe to complete the training of the Fifth

Brigade.

By January 1983, Mugabe had regained enough confidence in that brigade to deploy

it in the Matabeleland, with the mission of crushing dissident elements that had

remained faithful to Nkomo. In the ensuing battles, the politically trustworhty

Fifth Brigade, which essentially included troops belonging to the Shona tribe of

which the president was a member, proved to be ruthless towards the Ndebele

fighters belonging to Nkomo's tribe. As a matter of fact, on the basis of

articles published in THE GUARDIAN and THE INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE, the

Zimbabwe Catholic Episcopate Conference denounced the massacres in the course of

which this unit would have exterminated between 1,000 and 2,000 innocent

civilians (3,000 or more according to Nkomo himself). As for Mugabe, he

continues to assert to this day that these atrocities were committed by the

rebels. Over the following years, the North Korean mission, which by then had

160 instructors, was put in charge of training the presidential guard and a

militia 25,000 men strong. Pyongang also sold $640 million worth of armament to

Zimbabwe. North Korean workers built a giant monument in Harare, in memory of

all those who had fallen during the struggle for the independence of Zimbabwe.

In order to improve the image of the Fifth Brigade as a corps of professionals,

the North Koreans launched a martial arts training program. Members of the

brigade performed all over the country, from stadium to stadium, breaking

bottles, bricks and boards with their heads and their wrists. The North

Koreans also organized impressive public demonstrations to show off the

military capability of that unit. Taking a more practical decision, Mugabe

discreetly ordered some of the men of the Fifth Brigade to take courses from a

British team of military instructors and advisers. In March 1986, Brigadier

General Sin Hyon Dok, head of the North Korean Mission, announced that his 5-

year mission had come to an end. During a farewell reception, Sin disclosed

that the militia "Was impeccably carrying out its mission which consisted in

protecting strategic points on the Zimbabwe border and in leading operations in

Mozambique." It was an interesting revelation since Mugabe had always insisted

that the purpose of the militia was to protect Zimbabwe from the border-crossing

raids originating in South Africa. Sin also thanked Zimbabwe for its support

of the reunification of the Korean peninsula. Some 4 months after Sin's

departure, it was the turn of Kim Yong-nam, North Korea's prime minister and

minister of foreign affairs, to visit Zimbabwe to discuss the prospects of

cooperation between the two countries. This high official declared in an

official communique: "We are convinced that our visit to Zimbabwe will allow

to strengthen further the understanding between our two peoples... and to

contribute to the development of the non-aligned."
Uganda

In December 1981, President Milton Obote, on a visit to North Korea, signed a

contract of cooperation with Kim Il-sung. Under the terms of this agreement,

Pyongyang pledged to send a 30-persoh military mission to Uganda, entrusted

essentially with carrying out maintenance work and training the infantry in

Gulu. According to Kim Il-sung, these men were to help Uganda follow "The road

of anti-imperialism and independence." For 3 1/2 years the North Koreans,

placed under Major General Chin Tang Chung's order, were thus to train Obote's

forces in their fight against the rebels, for the purpose of preparing them to

fight against the opponents of the regime. The North Koreans are even said to

have often led combat units during skirmishes with rebels opposed to the government. Many villagers learned to hate and fear the North Korean officers, for

they are said to have incited the Ugandan soldiers to rape and loot, among

other misdeeds. When General Bazilio Okello, chief of the defense forces of

Uganda, deposed Obote in July 1985, he immediately ordered the North Korean

mission, which, in the interim, had grown substantially, to stop its activities.

The new government accused the North Koreans of having contributed to the

atrocities perpetrated against the Ugandan people, an accusation to which Sang,

counselor with the embassy of North Korea in Kampala, reacted with anger. In a

statement to the local English-speaking newspaper (MUNNANSI or The Citizen),^he

specified that North Korea "Was doing its best to come to the aid of Uganda."

On 21 August, however, Prime Minister Paulo Muwanga announced both the departure

of the mission and his intention to "See to it that relations between Uganda and

North Korea grow stronger." The following month, Okello sent a message to Kim

Il-sung informing him of his desire to maintain friendly relations with

Pyongyang. During a reception to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Yi Sang II, the North

Korean ambassador to Uganda, declared that his government was ready to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. It should be noted that barely 6

months after assuming power, Okello's regime is said to have had recourse to

the services of at least eight North Korean military instructors.

Yoweri Museveni, commander of the national resistance army, acceded to the presidency on 29 January 1986 after a military campaign against Okello. Despite the

North Koreans' questionable reputation in Uganda, Museveni, who is said to have

received military training in North Korea in 1969, remained favorable to

Pyongyang. He began negotiations with the North Korean and Soviet ambassadors

in February. Two weeks later, he was to announce his intention to ask Kim Ilsung to send military men to carry out the training of the Ugandan army.

According to Museveni, this measure was necessary since the equipment of that

army had come from North Korea.

Angola

The North Korean military breakthrough in Sub-Saharan Africa was practiced

especially well in Angola, a country torn by war. However, trustworthy information on the movements of troops and military activities taking place in that

area is rare and limited. We can nonetheless get a general idea of North

Korea's involvement in that civil war. Nearly 600 North Korean soldiers,

belonging to a combat troop, landed in Angola in November 1983 for the purpose

of occupying defensive positions in several towns and villages. In May of that
same year, they numbered close to 3,000, scattered throughout the whole country.

In early 1986, North Korean soldiers participated in an offensive against the

forces of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) in

the Nabuangongo region, some 200 kilometers northeast of Luanda.

The exact number of North Koreans currently operating in Angola is not known.

According to the spokesman for the Angolan National Liberation Front (FNLA),

which, together with UNITA, is fighting the Marxist government, the men stationed in Angola, ever since the country obtained its independence from Portugal in

1975, are said to number 8,000. South African sources and some western embassies in Kinshasa (Zaire) maintain, however, that there would only be 3,000

North Korean soldiers and 1,000 military advisers operating in Angola. Be that

as it may, it is obvious that the presence of North Koreans, Cubans, Soviets

and East Germans only serves to prolong the conflict in that country.

Assessment

Although the western powers are somewhat worried by the North Koreans' activities, the results obtained by the North Koreans in the field, in Sub-Saharan

Africa, would instead lead one to believe that they contributed very little to

the solution of the many problems facing Zimbabwe, Uganda and Angola. It can

even be said that Pyongyang seized systematically the smallest opportunity to

extend its influence, at the expense of peace and stability in these troubled

countries. As far as the future is concerned, everything leads to believe that,

in its military relations with Sub-Saharan Africa, North Korea will continue

essentially to seek opportunism rather than worrying sincerely about the social

and economic development of the continent.

6857

CSO: 3419/62
INTER-AFRICAN AFFAIRS

POSSIBLE COLLAPSE OF CRISIS-TORN CEAO DISCUSSED

Dakar AFRICA INTERNATIONAL in French Dec 86 pp 19-21

fArticle by Saouti Haidara: "Is the CEAO About To Collapse?"]

[Text] Senegal's sudden withdrawal from the special Nouakchott ministerial

meeting confirms that the community organization has never been so close to

collapse.

Is the West African Economic Community on the verge of collapse? It would be

tempting to believe so in view of the many signs of difficulties projected over

these past 3 years by the oldest and, it was believed until now, also the most

stable of the sub-regional African organization for economic integration.

It began with the "Diawara Affair," a sordid embezzlement of close to 6 1/2

billion CFA francs, disguised as a bad investment, which broke out for the first

time in 1983. This tremendous financial scandal, one of a kind on the continent,

almost broke up the Community dream with the "Agacher War," which erupted in

December 1985, between Mali and Burkina Faso.

Officially presented as the resurgence of a border conflict as old as the independence of the two fighting parties (25 years), this brief, but deadly,

confrotation found, however, its immediate cause in the climate of permanent

tension generated by the ups and downs of the "Diawara Affair."

Few people know the precise circumstances surrounding the arrest in Mali of the

former Ivorian minister of planning and his extradiction to Burkina Faso.

Twenty-eight October 1984 was the second day of the 10th CEAO summit meeting.

The Malian president, Moussa Traore, and his guests Abdou Diouf of Senegal,

Haidallah of Mauritania, Kountie of Niger, Sankara of Burkina, Lansana Conte of

Guinea, together with representatives of the presidents of the Ivory Coast, Benin

and Togo, were meeting privately in a room of the Friendship Hotel in Bamako.

The "Diawara Affair" and the measures to be taken to restructure the CEAO, on

both an administrative and financial level, and restore its former renown were

at the center of the discussions. Yet, the man who occupied all their interest,

energy and time, was walking freely nearby in the carpeted salons of the

luxurious hotel, sometimes chatting with a group of friends or of experts,
sometimes breaking away alone for a few moments as if to meditate on the fate

awaiting him. At first puzzled when they became aware of Diawara's presence in

Bamako, better still, inside the very establishment in which five chiefs of

state—Conte had been invited as an observer—could, with a single motion,

dramatically change his career, until then remarkable, the participants in the

10th summit finally had to face the evidence: Mohamed Diawara, whom the police

had been unable to find despite many long months of intensive search to the four

corners of the world, had probably been strongly assured by General Moussa

Traore, then active CEAO president, that he would not be bothered. Otherwise,

how could such a cautious man have walked so stupidly "into the lion's den?"

He therefore was the first to be surprised when, on that 28 October, armed

Malian policemen arrested him in the crowded hotel lobby. According to a usually well informed source, it was only under the tenancious pressure of Abdou

Diouf and, above all, of Captain Sankara, that the Malian president resigned

himself to giving this order, carried out by Interpol on a "collective complaint lodged by the CEAO chiefs of state."

Borne to the presidency of the Community by his peers on the next day, the

Burkinabe president delivered a scathing indictment against the CEAO, calling it

a "billion-eating abyss, a machine run wild" which he promised "to stop." He

uttered these now famous words: "I pledge to deliver next year to the Community

populations, either the CEAO death certificate or the birth certificate of a

new Community totally rid of carelessness and laisser-faire," words which

aroused the enthusiasm of the crowd of supporters of the single Malian party,

who had been invited to attend the closing session,, but which succeeded in upsetting the other chiefs of state, inasmuch as it challenged their earlier

management. The more so as Sankara twisted the knife even more by attacking

those who "Were trying to minimize the crime by letting the criminal escape."

Thst same day, the president of Burkina Faso was to bend protocol by refusing to

leave Bamako without "his" prisoner who had been carefully locked up in the

central prison of the Malian capital. His appointed departure was thus delayed

by somewhere around 1:30 hours. But he got satisfaction. Moussa Traore, however, harbored a feeling of humiliation from this affair.

The humiliation \ turned to rage when, 7 months later (August 1985), Ouagadougou

declared Driss Keita"persona non grata;" the Malian president had appointed

him CEAO secretary general to succeed Moussa Ngom, a Senegalese, who had been

swept away in the flurry of the "Diawara Affair."

The foray, early in December, of Burkinabe troops in the litigious Agacher zone,

on the unconvincing pretense of supporting "census operations," gave Moussa

Traore the unexpected opportunity to "teach a lesson." Had not the Ivorian

president, Houphouet-Boigny, used his tremendous prestige to stop the conflict

and bring peace back between the "enemy brothers," the CEAO could still be a

battleground today, rather than this "zone of interdependent and fruitful

cooperation" wanted by its promoters.

This "Diawara Affair" is officially closed. Its culprits were caught and

punished. But in reality, the Ouagadougou trial (March 1986) did not satisfy
the expectations of the Community populations, contrarily to the promises made

by Captain Sankara. Firstly, because they have the feeling that the whole

truth was not disclosed, the accused (Mohamed Diawara, Moussa NGom and Moussa

Diakite—-the latter being the former boss of FOSIDEC [Solidarity and Intervention

Fund for the Development of the Community])—having all chosen to remain silent.

Where did the minor male and female civil servants, the "Ngomets" and "Ngomettes,"

go, about whom Thomas Sankara had spoken derisively and who were said to have

been implicated in the embezzlement? Where du this "First Lady of the Republic"

go, about whom it had been said that she had benefited from Diawara's liberalities? And those government officials who had known about the affair but only

shared their knowledge with their chiefs of state very belatedly?

So many unanswered questions, thus causing a deep uneasiness within the Community

family.

To be sure, some members of this family are already disappointed, if not disconsolate. The fact-finding commission, set up following the sinister "Diawara

Affair," revealed truly dumbfounding inefficiencies, in all sectors of activities of the general secretariat: Administration, financial management,

accounting, etc. Everything was being conducted as though the civil servants

appointed to these important positions had, in fact, been placed there for their

sole benefit and, secondarilyi since one must; last as long as possible, for the

benefit of their country. As for the CEAO filesy the least that can be said .

about them is that they were neglected.

Ten years and more after the Community came into effect, the coordination of

customs regulations and fiscal legislation still remains to be done. The joint

inventory of tariffs and statistics, which the member states had agreed to draw up,

is still in the draft stage. It had been decided in 1976 that a joint external

customs tariff would be applied to all the members of the Community. Ten years

later, the project has still gone no further than the holding of seminars to

determine the best way to tackle the subject.

A coordinated code of investment had also been in the plan: To this day, this

work has remained unfinished. Benin joined the organization at the Bamako summit 2 years ago. The joint value-added tax was therefore to be reassessed

accordingly. Nothing appears to have been done since then.

Under these circumstances, it is permissible to doubt seriously that the planned

creation of an information and documentation center (CRIC) can be implemented

in the near future. Now, one of the weaknesses of the CEAO is that the trade

statistics, which it issues, do not always reflect—far from it— the reality of

the exchanges.

It is known that, to facilitate and increase these commercial exchanges—the key

objective of the CEAO being to become, in due time, a vast market free of any

customs duty—, a regional cooperation tax (TCR) was substituted in January 1947

for all the import rights and duties previously collected by each member. The

TCR is a preferential tax paid by a country exporting industrial products,

whereas raw products (agriculture, fishing, crops and cottage industry) are

fully exempt of any custom taxes. There are two "eligibility" requirements for

this preferential regime: "candidate" industrial products must either contain
over 60 percent raw material native to the Community, or its Community added

value must be higher than 40 percent. Usually, the tax applied to a TCRapproved product accounts for less than 50 percent of the tax applied to a

product manufactured outside the Community. Two typical examples: In Senegal,

the TCR-approved cotton fabrics are taxed 21 percent. Imported from outside

the CEAO, these same fabrics are taxed 93 percent. In Burkina Faso, approved

batteries are taxed 42 percent as compared to 70.22 percent when imported from

third countries. Needless to say, this system gives an assured substantial

advantage to products manufactured within the Community, as compared to nonnative competitive products.

The CEAO currently estimates at 428 the number of approved products or groups of

products and at 253 the enterprises manufacturing them. The community market

has been estimated at 41 million consumers. The Ivory Coast has the lion's

share with 127 enterprises, followed by Senegal (75), Burkina Faso (27), Mali

(16), Niger (5) and Mauritania (3).

But it appears that the real commercial situation of the Community is only

remotely related to these statistics judged to be unduly high. : The fact is that,

very often, a country receives approval for a given product without being in a

position to export it.

This situation is particularly true for the hinterland countries (Mali, Burkina

and Niger) and Mauritania which are at a greater disadvantage when it comes to

industrialization. Thus, to compensate these countries for the loss of customs

receipts resulting from the establishment of the TCR, a system of compensation—

a mini stabex, so to speak—was implemented, namely, the Development Community

Fund (FDC). This fund draws its resources from compensatory payments of twothirds of the capital losses due to the implementation of the TCR. That is to

say that the greater the number of approved products exported by a country, the

greater its contribution. In actual case, the Ivory Coast and Senegal are

therefore the main financial backers of the CEAO. Between 1974 and 1981, their

joint contribution hovered around 95.1 percent, these resources being earmarked

in priority for the less industrialized countries to help them catch up.

It seems that, until recently, these two complementary systems were operating

without difficulties. Thus, between 1976 and 1979, over 7 billion CFA francs

were divided among member states, as compensatory payments, according to the

following schedule: Burkina (27.6 percent); Senegal (22.9 percent); Mali (14.5

percent); and Mauritania (9.9 percent). The development of some small projects,

agricultural, village water works and stock-breeding promotion, was added to

these cash payments.

But, in Senegal, the insidious effect of the world economic situation, combined

with a persisting drought, led to the collapse of the peanut harvest (912,652

tons in 1982/1983 as compared to 358,478 tons in 1983/1984) which, nonetheless,

remained its first export with 55.132 billion CFA francs. At the same time, in

the Ivory Coast, cocoa production, its main export, was dropping (471,700 tons

in 1981; 366,000 in 1982; and 450,000 tons in 1983).

The two countries are consequently having difficulties honoring their compensatory payments. This in turn causes much anxiety among their Community partners

unable to do anything about this lack of fiscal gain at a time when their meager

treasury needs it the most. Consequently, the TCR no longer seems as obviously

10
interesting and some of them would even be thinking about returning to the

former system. Should such an idea take hold, it would simply be the same as

signing the CEAO's death warrant.

The more so as, in practice, the TCR fares much worse than admitted. The

member states do not always practice free competition according to the rules

which they themselves established. For example, the approved products imported

from the Community are often taxed higher than similar products manufactured^

locally. Even in the absence of competition, the approved "made in the CEAO

products are often abusively overtaxed. This lack of loyalty is dictated

either by national selfishness, tirelessly decried but as long-lived as ever, pr

by the search for immediate profit to fill some pressing budgetary need.

This disloyalty goes often as far as signing preferential agreements between

Community member states and third countries.

In that context, it is easily understood that the commission for the implementation of the reforms advocated by the chiefs of state at the Bamako summit, on

the basis of data supplied by the fact-finding commission, is having difficulty

functioning. Moreover, this is always the case when state interests are

contradictory, if not sources of conflict.

The special ministerial meeting, called in Nouakchott (Mauritania) last September,

was to explore the best possible means of bringing together the various viewpoints and, failing to reconcile the different interests, smooth things out.

It ended with the sudden withdrawal of Senegal, which, however, is only temporary, if one is to believe the official communique, published by Dakar,

explaining a gesture unprecedented in a diplomacy known for its quiet approach

and its constant search for a compromise.

It remains that, in the analysis of performances and failures, although some

FOSIDEC achievements are worthy, one cannot fail to note that the CEAO has

never been so close to danger.

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11
INTER-AFRICAN AFFAIRS

BRIEFS

AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT—Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania agreed on air rescue

procedures and concluded an agreement on search and rescue operations for

missing aircraft at a meeting in Kampala on 6 December, The officials also

agreed on procedures to co-ordinate and harmonise air services within east

Africa, the Ugandan Transport and Communications Ministry said. The three

countries had a joint air traffic control organisation and a joint airline

until 1976 when the East African Community collapsed. [Text] [London

AFRICA ECONOMIC DIGEST in English 13-19 Dec 86 p 5] /9274

CSO: 3400/800

12
ANGOLA

MPLA SIGNS COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH CUBA

Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 21 Oct 86 p 1

[Text] Havana—The cooperative relations between the MPLA-Labor Party and the

Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) will become more reinforced with the signing on

Saturday in Havana of a general agreement on cooperation for the period from

1986 to 1989.

The document was signed by the member of the party's Politburo and secretary

of the Central Committee for the ideological area, Roberto de Almeida, representing the Angolan side, and by Jorge Risquet, a member of the PCC Politburo.

On the same day, Roberto de Almeida also signed a protocol on cooperation

between the two parties, on this occasion specifically in the ideological

realm, for 1986-87. The signer representing Cuba was Carlos Aldana Escalante,

a member of the PCC's Central Committee.

In statements to the press, Roberto de Almeida and Jorge Risquet classified the

two documents in the context of the traditional cooperation that exists between

the two peoples and parties, the high point of which occurred in 1980, when

Presidents Jose Eduardo dos Santos and Fidel Castro signed a general agreement

for cooperation between the two countries.

Both leaders agreed on the view that the documents now signed will heighten

further still the excellent cooperative relations between Angola and Cuba.

Roberto de Almeida also made a brief assessment of the situation in Angola and

Southern Africa, which he describes as tense, owing to the imperialist aggressiveness, through South Africa and its agents; similarly underscoring the

success achieved by the Angolan revolution, particularly in the areas of education and health.

"The situation is quite tense, but the victory of the freedom fighters is irreversible," he remarked, referring to the constant threatening atmosphere

experienced by the people of Southern Africa. In this connection, he stressed

the internationalist aid provided by the Cuban and Soviet people, and others

of the socialist community, to Angola for the defense of its territorial

integrity and sovereignty.

The Central Committee's secretary for the ideological area, who has been in

Cuba for several days, has already visited the Isle of Youth, where there are

five Angolan schools; and also held an informal meeting with Angolan cadres

in Havana who are attending the most varied training courses in the fields of

ideology, propaganda, information, and foreign relations.

2909

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ANGOLA

GDR STEEL INDUSTRY DELEGATION VISITS BENGUELA

Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 28 Oct 86 p 12

[Text] Benguela—The delegation of trade unionists from the German Democratic

Republic which has been in Angola for several days paid a 48-hour visit to

Benguela Province.

The German delegation is headed by Raimey Raabe, member of the secretariat of

the GDR's national metallurgical directorate, and while in Benguela will visit

the Angolan naval shipyards (Estalnav) in Lobito, as well as holding meetings

with provincial leaders, namely, the provincial commissar, Maj Joao Lourenco,

member of the party's Central Committee.

The German delegation, whose return to the nation's capital is set for today,

is accompanied by the Benguela provincial first secretary of UNTA [National

Union of Workers of Angola], Jose Coelho Fortes.

Correspondents' Seminar

Last Sunday, a provincial seminar for young correspondents and political

agitators, organized by the provincial secretariat of the JMPLA [Youth of

the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola]-Party Youth, opened at the

Lutuima cultural center in Baia Farta, with nearly 30 seminar members participating.

The seminar attendees discussed the practical work of a correspondent and a

propagandist, and the importance and necessity of propaganda, as well as

preparing a mural newspaper,with concepts of the principles of journalism

and regarding young correspondents.

The purpose of the seminar is to provide the propagandists with a uniform

political training for the work of agitation and propaganda, and to teach

them to serve as groups to transmit the goals and nature of the youth organization, as a spokesmen for the involvement of young groups in the tasks of

national reconstruction.

2909

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14
ANGOLA

OFFICIALS VISIT KWILO-NGONGO AT ZAIRE BORDER

Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 22 Oct 86 p 12

[Text] Kwilo-Ngongo—The provincial commissar of Uije, Zeferino Estevao Juliana,

member of the MPLA-Labor Party's Central Committee, was recently in the locality

of Kwilo-Ngongo, in the Lower Zaire region of the Republic of Zaire, where,

in connection with the agreements between the heads of state and government of

the respective countries, he discussed topics relating to the borders dividing

the two regions.

During the course of the meeting, both sides analyzed the respective concerns

brought up on that occasion, regarding the security of individuals and goods.

A joint communique, distributed to the press at the conclusion of the talks,

stresses the fact that this regional meeting relates to the efforts expended

by the governments of both countries, through dialogue, and associated with

accords and periodic consultations on matters involving the border, based on

the agreements signed by the two heads of state and government. According

to the document, the heads of both countries expressed their desire to ward

off any situation capable of upsetting the calm that exists along the border

separating the two provinces, whose border stations were opened on 24 August

of this year. The stations are located in Kimbata (Angola) and Kimbango

(Zaire).

Meeting With the Angolan Community

In addition to the talks, the provincial commissar of Uije, Zeferino Estevao

Juliana, held a meeting with the Angolan community settled in Kwilo-Ngongo,

during which he commented on the various changes in the Angolan people's

current phase of struggle. That member of the MPLA-Labor Party, addressing

2,000 Angolans, who represent 8,000 fellow countrymen, declared: "In independent Angola, every Angolan is working, earns a wage, and is living in peace;

he has food and supplies for his entire family."

4,000 Angolans Working in Local Sugar Mill

The Angolan delegation also visited the Kwilo-Ngongo sugar mill, based on joint

Belgian-Zairian capital; with only 40 percent of its operation incumbent on the

15
Zairian side, and the remaining 60 percent on the Belgian side. During the

visit to this manufacturing complex, which employs nearly 4,000 Angolans,

producing 52 tons of sugar, the provincial commissar of Uije received explanations on its operation.

In addition to the aforementioned tonnage of sugar, the enterprises produces

a million liters of alcohol per year, nearly 800 kilograms of carbon dioxide

per year, and a ton of carbon anhydride per year.

2909

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16
ANGOLA

FRENCH INTELLIGENCE REPORTS CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN USE

Lisbon AFRICA CONFIDENCIAL in Portuguese Oct 86 p 8

[Text] The French secret service has some evidence that the FAPLA has used

chemical weapons in its battles with the UNITA on at least three different

occasions. It is presumed that what was involved was the bombs known by the

code name "Pabun," which release green and yellow gases of the same type as

those used in Afghanistan. The effects of these chemical agents range from

blindness to paralysis and even the development of open sores on the body.

The investigations carried out by the French secret service (SDECE) were

facilitated by the cooperation of Doctors Without Frontiers, an organization

which has worked with the UNITA in the Jamba territory and which has provided

aid to the guerrilla fighters injured by these weapons. In their preliminary

reports, the doctors said that the guerrilla fighters they had treated

presented symptoms like those of the Afghan resistance fighters injureded by

these weapons.

In order to further confirm the results of the preliminary reports, the

evacuation of the guerrilla fighters in question from the country was

arranged. They are undergoing more thorough medical examinations in an

unidentified Western country (presumably the FRG) at this time. The UNITA

wants to exploit this development to the maximum, in an effort to compromise

the MPLA regime.

The use of chemical weapons against the UNITA is said to have occurred in the

provinces of Bie and Cuando-Cubango. They were allegedly dropped from

pressurized helicopters supplied to Angola a short time ago by the Soviet

Union, in operations in which Soviet advisers assisted.

In recent years, the FAPLA forces have reportedly used chemical defoliants in

its efforts to prevent the movement of the UNITA guerrilla fighters in certain

areas with denser growth, but this is the first time they have made use of

weapons designed to cause injury to human beings.

However, this possibility has been under consideration by the general staff of

the UNITA since at least March of this year. In the months since, special

masks for the use of the guerrilla fighters were ordered for protection

against these weapons. Some UNITA units have been equipped with these masks.

17
Some Angolan officers captured by the UNITA recently reported, during the

questioning to which they were subjected, that Soviet technicians had come to

Angola to oversee the work of building silos for the storage of chemical

weapons. It was not possible to learn where the construction sites were.

The chemical weapons used by the Soviets in Afghanistan were developed on the

basis of the German technology of the World War II era, with rather primitive

safety features. The main chemical agents are the toxic chemicals T-2, HT-2

and DAS, each of which produces certain specific effects on the human body.

There are indications that following the first public announcements by the

UNITA about the chemical weapons, the Angolan government ordered their use

suspended. A protocol signed in Geneva in 1925 and an agreement on biological

warfare dating back to 1972 prohibit the use of such weapons.

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18
ANGOLA

LONDON PUBLICATION DISCUSSES UNITA-SADF CONNECTION

Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 10 Oct 86 p 2

[Text] London—The symbiosis between the "SADF" [South African Defense Forces]

and the anti-Angolan counterrrevolutionary group is such that the most sophisticated operations against the sovereignty of the Angolan state are invariably

headed by special units of Pretoria's racist army.

This association has been disclosed and documented once again by the London

weekly, AFRICA CONCORD, which claims that the anti-Angolan puppet group is an

inseparable complement to the South African Armed Forces.

In its latest issue, AFRICA CONCORD asserts that the anti-Angolan terrorist

group is part of the counterrevolutionary constellation of the American

president Ronald Reagan.

In a major 10-page article, AFRICA CONCORD quotes Trevor Howard, a former

member of the 23d Battalion, an elite unit led by South African officers and

white mercenaries recruited by the puppet organization with money provided by

the CIA.

That former commando maintains that the terrorists paid by the imperialists

never participate directly in the most critical operations carried out on

Angolan territory, only doing so when their employers have already "swept" the

entire area. "They intervene only to raise their flag," claims Trevor Howard.

AFRICA CONCORD says that it is crucial for South Africa to maintain the UNITA

terrorist group as a "serious threat" to Angola, so as to preserve Pretoria's

influence in the entire Southern African region.

The London weekly declares that the South Africans attested to their determination to prevent the military defeat of their puppets in Angola during

September 1985, when the racist army had.to mobilize its best land and air

facilities to preclude the seizure of Mavinga by the Angolan Armed Forces.

Trevor Howard documented the fact that, in the attack of September 1985, the

South Africans even had to mobilize their best air forces because, the year

before, they had suffered humiliating defeats during the so-called "Askari"

operation.

19
AFRICA CONCORD stresses that the battle of Mavinga prompted a South African

delegation to visit Washington at the end of September to request the United

States' immediate intervention on behalf of the anti-Angolan terrorists.

The begging brought its first results in December, when President Ronald

Reagan authorized covert aid for the puppets, during a preliminary phase,

with "Stinger" surface to air missiles.

The London weekly reports that the South African appeal to the U.S. for military aid resulted from the heightening of the FAPLA operational capacity,

which has threatened not only the Angolan bandits' immediate survival, but

also Pretoria's military superiority.

Quoting Robert Jaster, of the International Institute for Strategic Studies>»,

AFRICA CONCORD claims that, despite the covert aid from Washington, the SAFD

will no longer be able to carry out destructive missions in Angolan territory

with impunity. The analyst declares: "It would appear that South Africa is

facing the prospect of heavy casualties in future battles in Angola."

2909

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20
ANGOLA

OFFICIAL VOWS NEVER TO NEGOTIATE WITH UNITA

Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 22 Oct 86 p 12

[Text] Porto—The secretary of the MPLA-Labor Party's Central Committee for

youth and support to mass organizations, Paulo Junior, reaffirmed in the city

of Porto that, "The People's Republic of Angola will never negotiate with UNITA

members and puppet groups in the pay of the racist South African regime."

He said: "The Angolan position lies in the context of the efforts undertaken by

the international community aimed at maintaining world peace and the consistent

international position favoring the maintenance of world peace and the elimination of the threat of the outbreak of a nuclear war, the consequences of which

are unpredictable."

The Angolan leader also observed that, "In the People's Republic of Angola, the

MPLA-Labor Party and its government, faithful to their principles, continue to

practice their policy of clemency toward all those citizens who, for various

reasons, were deceived to serve the interests of elements which have never

favored the independence of the Angolan people, won with blood shed by their

best children."

Paulo Junior, who spoke at the session which marked the conclusion of the work

of the Second Convention of the Portuguese Democratic Renewal Party (PRD),

scored the campaigns of defamation of which the People's Republic of Angola

is currently the target, delineated by the extreme right wing of certain Western

countries and spurred on by the U.S. administration, which has publicly assumed

their leadership, violating the fundamental principles of relations between

sovereign peoples.

The Angolan leader reported that 50,000 persons maimed by war, an inestimable

number of deaths among the defenseless population, and sizable material destruction are an unequivocable indication, holding the racist.South African regime,

promoter of "apartheid," responsible for the tension prevailing in Southern

Africa.

The secretary of the MPLA-Labor Party's Central Committee also charged that the

systematic, treacherous attacks by South Africa on the People's Republic of

Angola are aimed at undermining its economy and countering the efforts for

21
national reconstruction that are under way in the country, and, ultimately, at

overthrowing the legally established government, to put the puppets in power

and perpetuate "apartheid" and the occupation of Namibia.

In this connection, the Angolan leader reaffirmed the Angolan people's determination to continue their struggle against the imperialist puppets on the one

hand, and, on the other, expressed the desire of the People's Republic of

Angola to continue to hail all the peace initiatives aimed at a just and lasting

solution to the conflicts that exist in the world.

On behalf of the Comrade President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, and the Angolan

people, he wished the greatest success to the members of the Portuguese Democratic Renewal Party, and asserted that President Ramalho Eanes, now leader

of the party, "will work in the direction of the decisions made at this second

convention, to intensify the action of all conscious, honest members for helpful

victories capable of contributing to the dynamization of Portugal's relations

with the African countries which have Portuguese as their official language."

2909

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22
ANGOLA

FORMER FNLA MEMBERS IN UIJE JOIN MPLA

Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 29 Oct 86 p 3

[Text] Uije—The provincial commissar of Uije, Zeferino Estevao Juliana, member

of the Central Committee of the MPLA-Labor Party, recently visited the municipality of Dange-Quitexe, where he was informed about the effort to reintegrate

fellow countrymen from the defunct puppet organization, "FNLA."

During his stay in that locality, Zeferino Estevao Juliana met with the local

party and government officials, as well as with provincial delegates for social

affairs, health, internal trade, and education, with whom he discussed matters

relating to the social status of those being reintegrated.

Preceding the popular rally, at which he once again explained the essence of

the policy of clemency ordered by the late-lamented President Agostinho Neto,

the Uije provincial commissar also met with those reintegrated into the great

Angolan family.

Assistant Coordinator Visits Municipality of Negage

The assistant coordinator of the provincial control and inspection commission,

Armando Luacuti, recently visited the municipality of Negage to become apprised

on the spot" of the degree of socioeconomic organization and development in

that municipality.

During his stay in the latter municipality, the assistant coordinator held a

meeting with the local heads of the party's rank and file organizations, at

which he gave a brief explanation of his visit to that locality, where he also

visited the "Nelito Soares" party cell of the Kangundo commune.

2909

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23
ANGOLA

CHIPENDA DISCUSSES POLITICAL SITUATION, UNITA

Lisbon AFRICA in Portuguese 26 Nov 86 pp 9-11

[Interview with Daniel Chipenda by Leston Bandeira and Joao Van Dunem; date

and place not given]

[Text] Twenty-five years is nothing in the history of a country. But in the

short history of man it is a lifetime. Chipenda now has a patriarchal air.

With a heavy graying beard and a serious, expressive face, he photographs

well. He is a far cry from the Chipenda of the late 50s and early 60s in

Mandarim, Republic Square, Coimbra or in the field in Santa Cruz, in Sereia.

Or even in the municipal stadium in Calhabe, where he was an idol.

After all, it was in this stretch of time between the Faculty of Sciences

(geology course) and Calhabe that Chipenda awakened to the real situation in

his distant country. The son of a clergyman, he arrived in Coimbra in 1958.

Let us listen to his words.

"At that time an Intensive awakening of awareness was occurring in student

circles. There were young people from Angola and Mozambique. It was in this

environment of impassioned discussion that I developed the subjective capacity

to understand, some time later, the message of some of the people with whom I

talked in Luanda during my academic stay in Angola and Mozambique."

[Question] Was the discussion in Luanda political?

[Answer] There was a strong nationalist movement and political issues were

readily discussed in certain circles. The older citizens, our people, all the

individuals I could contact told me plainly or in a more subtle fashion

that we should continue to study and to contemplate struggle against: the

anachronistic situation prevailing in the country.

[Question] Do you still remember the names of the individuals with whom you

talked?

[Answer] Surely. I remember old Verissimo and Pascoal and others. We met,

and when we left for Lisbon, some of them even came to the airport to insist

on this theme to us.

24
Let us return to Coimbra in 1960.

Chlpenda has a visible affection for the city of the doctors. He spoke to us

in his office. He was obviously cold, and he kept his hands in the pockets of

his coat and leaned back in his chair, moving little. When he showed

enthusiasm and his serious voice rose a few notes, he took his hands from his

pockets, leaned forward, and talked more freely, but he would then return to

his initial serious attitude. No great effort is needed to recall the main

facts in his life, on the basis of which he is intimately involved with the

politics of his country. He is certain that he has contributed to writing a

part of its history.

"In 1960 we received the MPLA manifesto, which had been sent by the then

president of the movement, Mario Pinto de Andrade. This document was signed

by all of the members of the leadership committee. In addition to that of

Mario de Andrade himself, there were the signatures of Virlato da Cruz, Lucio

Lara, Hugo de Menezes and Eduardo dos Santos. I have not forgotten that the

watchword was organization.

"We were to organize in Portugal. And at that time there were many Angolans

studying in Coimbra and Lisbon. Our first task was to organize and to prevent

these students from joining the army.

"Then, with the support of Carlos Pestana (Katiana), Manuel Videira and Fillpe

Amado, we mobilized the Angolan students. There was an extraordinarily

positive aspect—in Portugal, the MPLA practiced no form of discrimination.

We contacted whites, blacks and mulattoes."

[Question] The mobilization of the Angolans in that era also Influenced many

Portuguese students. It was a period of great political activity in Coimbra.

There was, for example, the whole issue of "students' day." What were your

relations with the Portuguese organization?

[Answer] Until 1961, the year of the armed rebellion in our country, we were

in contact with the Portuguese student movements. We were active in groups

which opposed the regime. But the truth is that the rise of the organized

MPLA, or that which was being organized, among the students, had a

considerable influence. For example, at the time of the crisis in 1962, we,

as student soccer players, supported the strike.

[Question] It was at that time that you were seized by the PIDE and forced to

play. Do you recall parts of that incident?

[Answer] I was arrested and on the Sunday immediately following, we had a

very important meeting. Things took on major dimensions and Salazar, who was

not stupid, decided that there would be no games. He prevented the existing

disturbance within academic circles from taking on greater scope. Did he

foresee the developments if the students profited from the soccer matches for

huge demonstrations against the colonial war and to denounce the arrests?

Chlpenda explained the whole history of that era In detail. The crisis in the

AAC, the resignation of the democratically elected leadership, the appointment

25
of an administrative commission made up of military personnel. He, Chipenda,

went to Santa Comba Dao after having refused to play against Sporting (it was

this scheduled game which the AAC lost, in the end, 3 to 1).

The AAC team which agreed to play, after being asked to agree Individually,

rather than collectively, as Chipenda had proposed to Wilson, went to Curia.

For a time the discussion ceased to be political. There was a reminder that

this was a crisis involving soccer. There was no mention of the machine guns

trained on those present, but the plans for avoiding use of the municipal

stadium were discussed. Only....

"Only the army, on instructions from the PIÜE," Chipenda said, "surrounded the

stadium beginning on Wednesday, and everything went wrong."

Flight to Morocco

A part of the interview is on file. Chipenda is an excellent talker,

moreover. In the afternoon he talked at length, and we only noticed this when

we looked at the written record and considered the number of pages. Let us

therefore abandon Chipenda the soccer player, and let us understand, or make

an attempt to, Chipenda the politician.

To begin at the beginning, there was the flight from Lisbon to Fuzeta by car,

where the escape had been planned by Nunes, whose father was a fisherman. The

departure from Fuzeta was effected in a trawler belonging to a veteran

gunrunner from the days of the Spanish civil war.

"David Nunes was so cautious that on the night of the escape, he organized a

party for the men who patrolled the coast. When we departed, they were all

clinking their glasses.

"We set forth on our adventure.

"But the sea was so rough that we were unable to reach Casablanca. We had

paid in advance—40 contos—and the trawler man took us to within sight of

the coast. There we were aided by a Moroccan fishing vessel."

Chipenda continued his narrative, after first praising the helpfulness of the

Moroccan fishermen.

[Question] But did you have some address, the name of someone to whom you

could turn?

[Answer] We knew that the CONCP had its headquarters in Rabat. And it was to

the office of that organization that we telephoned after we had identified

ourselves to the harbormaster of Casablanca.

There was a pause in the story while he Identified his comrades in this

adventure—N'Dalu Franca, Pires, Matos, Leopoldo, Jose Julio (from

Mozambique), Araujo and two children. One was Chlpenda's daughter who, in the

midst of all this, still found time and willingness to fall in love and marry.

26
Letter to Savimbl in Umbundu

Once In Rabat, after establishing formal relations with the CONCP, Chipenda

received a messenger. Let us return to his story.

"To my surprise, a foreign lady, a Swiss citizen, sought me out in Rabat. She

had a message, the text of which was 'Take care of Chipenda, so that he will

not be seized by the enemy.' The message was written in Umbundo, and it was

from Savlmbi.

"The lady told me that she came with instructions to take me to Switzerland,

where there was a chalet awaiting me. And furthermore, she brought

instructions that I should go to the UPA, with my wife and my daughter."

[Question] But what contact did you have with Savimbl?

[Answer] I knew Savimbl. Our countries were friendly, and therefore I found

it strange that he had not written to me, but had instead sent me this Swiss

lady. I wrote a letter back to him. It was In Umbundo, his language, because

both Savimbl and I are Umbundus, although from different regions. There are

also linguistic differences between us.

In my letter I said that I had found it odd that he sent a foreign lady to

speak to me about our problems.

Letter from Neto

[Question] But had you no contact with the MPLA, then? How do you explain...

[Answer] We were in contact, obviously. I was just telling you the story.

And there is still more. An American gentleman also appeared, asking how many

comrades I had had when I fled, and he advised me about getting organized,

etc. He said that he was there in Rabat consistent with the spirit of the

CONCP, and I continued to make contact with the CONCP comrades until I

received a letter from Neto.

He told me that he had learned of my work in Portugal and he invited me to

join the MPLA in order to combat colonialism.

[Question] Faced with these invitations, what did you decide?

[Answer] Then I thought: Savlmbi sends me foreigners to offer me a chalet in

Switzerland, while Neto, who is older then I, praises me and asks me to fight

for the freedom of our people. There Is no choice possible here...

Let us interrupt again, to summarize. Chipenda went to Germany, left his

family there and proceeded to Kinshasa, where he talked with Mario Pinto de

Andrade, who was then the president of the MPLA.

After consideration of the various ways in which Chipenda could work (joining

the People's Army of Liberation of Angola), Chipenda finally chose to work

with Lucio Lara, then director of the organization and personnel department.

27
In May of 1963 the Youth Congress was held. Chipenda was elected president of

the MPLA Youth. Jose Eduardo dos Santos, now the president of Angola, was the

vice president.

Crises

Let us return to our account of the interview. The crises were soon to come

up. Chipenda paid increasing attention to our talk. His head sank toward his

shoulders and his eyes became brighter. The Cascals sun had already set some

time earlier, and the room was in semi-darkness, which seemed to make our talk

more intense.

"In May of 1963, there was a tremendous crisis within the MPLA. Mario and

Virlato da Cruz left."

[Question] But what was the explanation for the crisis?

[Answer] It was more a crisis of coexistence than anything else. The older

men had created a tremendous international reputation without the structures

to justify it. The organization was something which could be collapsed from

one moment to the next by a sudden gust of wind.

Faced with a certain harsher reality, the cadres could not deal with it and

wanted to depart. We, the little fellows, supported Agostinho Neto. My

contribution to this support was considerable, because I had the youth

contingent, in which Hoji Ya Henda, for example, was active. Later we had

Comrade Deolinda Rodrigues in the OMA.

[Question] At that point the African winds were not very favorable to your

cause.

[Answer] It was precisely at that time that the GRAB, Holden Roberto's

government, was recognized by the OAU and a number of countries. We were

ostracized. We suffered a number of reverses, with the effort to enter the

First Region, with the Clnfuegos and Bomboko squadrons. We then decided to

establish the East Front. In 1964, I flew to Lusaka. The British and the

South Africans were still there, and Zambia was not yet independent. The

authorities learned of my movements and I was arrested and sentenced to

forced labor. Later, I was released, declared persona non grata and expelled

from Zambia. I did not return to Zambia until 1968, but by that time

circumstances were different, and the transition period was already in the

past.

[Question] But after your expulsion from Lusaka...

[Answer] I went to Brazzaville.

Savimbi Again

"I returned to Brazzaville precisely at the time when Savimbi, who had

withdrawn from the FNLA, was applying for admission to the MPLA. A

28
controversy arose, because on the one hand, It was said that he could not be a

militant in the MPLA because in fact there was great rivalry between the

people In the MPLA and the UPA.

"Then It was decided that cooperation was possible. Only the MPLA bylaws did

not provide for the election of leaders of the movement except at a congress,

and Savlmbi wanted to be a leader.

"It was I who, in talking with him, established that we could work on a

parallel basis. He mobilized the cadres he had such as to bring them closer

to ours so we could organize a general staff to intensify our war. Savlmbi

went to Ponta Negra and told the UPA commanders that they should cease to wage

war against the MPLA guerrilla forces. There were two combat zones. They

were In one and the MPLA was In the other.

"This, as came to be seen later, was the embryo of the future movement of

Jonas Savlmbi."

[Question] How is it possible to be sure of this? Would it not have been a

matter of rejection, pure and simple, Instead?

[Answer] No...no. It is easy to show that the MPLA dealt in good faith.

Immediately after this agreement, Comrade Neto sent Savimbi to Lusaka, where,

moreover, Anibal de Meio headed our delegation. Savimbi arrived In Lusaka and

performed a major about-face. He began to accuse us of being a movement of

mulattoes and whites, of failing to defend the interests of the people, etc.

(Anibal de Melo was a mulatto).

He began to make use of specifically ethnic and racial factors to promote his

movement. Now, there were many Umbundus in Zambia.

At that point, I was in Cabinda, and Comrade Neto sent me a message asking me

to proceed to Lusaka to try to counteract Savimbi's actions. This was a

period of great battles in Cabinda. At that time, Che Guevara and five other

Cubans were with us in Angola, in Buco Zau.

Again we interrupt the narrative. Our interlocutor recalled names and facts

and battles against the Portuguese troops. Hojl Ya Henda, Spencer, Tonha

(Pedale) were the names he mentioned most often.

Orders were issued from Brazzaville by Agostinho Neto. "Chipenda, come

immediately!" Chipenda came. For a few days, he ceased to be a guerrilla

fighter. He had to go to Dar es Salaam. He traveled from Paris with

Marcelino dos Santos and other FRELIMO comrades.

"The first weapons with which we established the East Front were given us by

the FRELIMO. Twelve machine guns. On 18 May 1966, we attacked a group of

Portuguese foot soldiers in Lumbala. The Portuguese authorities never thought

that the MPLA could get through Zambia. Twelve Portuguese citizens were

caught in this ambush. It was Commander Canhangulo who ordered the attack.

29
"This incident created a complicated situation, because the Portuguese were

shelling a number of positions and they reached Zambia. Agostinho Neto had to

provide Kaunda with a series of explanations, and we decided to penetrate

farther into the interior. At that time, only the GRAE was recognized by the

OAU."

[Question] How do you explain the fact that the UNITA had established itself

in a zone which was controlled by the MPLA guerrilla forces?

[Answer] That is not true. We speaking of the East. Savimbi never fought in

the East. He went there en route to Cangumbe to obtain the protection of the

Portuguese. It was the MPLA and I who fought and mobilized and worked in the

East. And we did everything, from establishing literacy schools and small

medical aid centers to military organization. This was no bluff. Moreover,

when an OAU delegation visited there, I myself showed them what we had done.

In Cazombo we had electric light.

If I am asked what the singular phenomenon in this war was I would say—and I

am certain—that Savimbi seized people and forced them to act. He did not

have the support we had when we waged the guerrilla war. In our case, the

militants offered to fight. It is not that way today. Savimbi compels people

to fight.

Chipenda began to expand. His voice took on new depth and his gestures now

were expressive. He interrogated us with his eyes, and the question was

inevitable. After all, we were speaking of the East.

[Question] How did the East Revolt develop?

[Answer] We in the MPLA made a mistake. Sometimes we were not successful in

understanding our people, what they are like. We intellectuals, the so-called

know-it-alls, believed that we could impose a given policy, whereas this

cannot be done. We were wrong because we wanted to dictate.

In the early days everything went well, but in 1968, at the time of the first

major Portuguese offensive against our forces, with commandos transported by

helicopter, chemical warfare, etc., difficulties developed and led many people

to think in subjective terms. For example: "Where is that fellow from? He

is from the north. And the other, that guy? From the north."

And also, because there were many excesses, the commanders themselves quite

frequently did not know how to deal with the people.

In talking with the people, I established that serious errors had been

committed, leading them to ask: "What is this?"

In 1969, I was in a CIR, where Lucio Lara was, and I learned that a group of

guerrilla fighters had just set out for the Zambian frontier to meet with

Neto, wherever he might be. There were about 800 of them.

It was I who explained to them that they could not all go to Zambia. Kaunda

would go along with us. Apart from that, Agostinho Neto was in Brazzaville.

Their answer, an explanation for their movement, was: "If there are only one

30
or two of us, we will be shot. And so we will all stay." They had demands to

make, and I simply offered to serve as the arbiter for the two commissions to

be established.

[Question] But this campaign of demands lasted a long time then, because they

were only set forth at the Lusaka Congress.

[Answer] In 1972, I went to Yugoslavia. When I returned, almost all of the

MPLA cadres were waiting to greet me. It is true that almost all of the

cadres were mulattoes. There had been more opportunities for them. That must

be accepted. They told me it was necessary to adopt a position. They said I

must do this. I answered that I would not be the one to go and talk to Neto.

Well, when the people have demands, these cadres do not support them, but when

there is no cheese or butter....that is the philosophy. And these were the

same people who supported presldentialism.

[Question] Let us talk about the congress now. Why did the Lusaka Congress

in 1974 fail?

[Answer] At the congress, I was on the outside, along with the illiterates.

I only wanted to find a formula, and there were three positions. My positions

were always those which would provide a foundation for unity. The congress

failed because Neto refused to deliver the report of the leadership. He had

been the president of the movement since 1962. He refused and we insisted.

And then he departed.

[Question] But then there was the whole business of the entry into Luanda.

In the final analysis, it was Agostinho Neto who had the support of the

militants in the interior.

[Answer] Interlor...but who was in the interior? Agostinho Neto resigned as

president at a meeting of leaders of African states in Bukavu. It was I who

told him no, you should not submit your resignation to the chiefs of state.

They are not members of the MPLA. The resignation should be submitted to the

members of the movement.

[Question] In any case, the truth is that later Chipenda emerged on the side

of Holden Roberto.

[Answer] After that attack on my delegation in Luanda, where Valodia, whom I

always held in great esteem, died. Moreover, we were good friends. What

could I do? I had 10,000 armed men. How could I participate? I had to seek

alliances. With the UNITA It was a tribal alliance, and with the FNLA it was

a more national alliance. At that time, I still believed it was possible to

think of elections. The alliance in which I engaged did not cause me to lose

national identification. They called me a traitor. The Kudi-Banguelas

Insulted me.

Chipenda said all of these things calmly. If he felt emotion, he did not show

it. He still had his hands in his pockets and spoke in a quiet voice. The

past seemed very distant. We returned to the present.

31
[Question] And now? Chipenda has returned to Luanda. What are the goals?

Throughout this talk, you have often spoken of unity.

[Answer] There are no dogmas in politics. Unity is not a subject defended

individually. I learned to defend it in the MPLA.

Dialogue

[Question] But what has changed in the MPLA?

[Answer] It is not important to know what has changed. It is not this it is

of interest to discuss. The MPLA is also thinking about unity. If the

Angolan problem were resolved just among ourselves, there would be no problem.

In a way we have already been bypassed, but we can recover.

[Question] When you say that the problem should be resolved just among

Angolans, are you saying that the Angolan question is not merely that, but may

be a part of the so-called East-West conflict?

[Answer] We must prevent it from becoming that.

[Question] And how can this be done?

[Answer] The MPLA is prepared for dialogue. We are moving toward dialogue

now. We will try to find a solution for all Angolans.

[Question] This suggests a more dpen approach. What are its limits?

[Answer] I have the impression that there are no limits. The Angolan

government has a program and is sovereign. During the years of struggle there

were also hesitations. There were periods in which the white man was

identified as the enemy, until the movement undertook an analysis and came to

the conclusion that the enemy was colonialism. And who is the enemy now?

[Question] It is said that Chipenda will return to Angola in order to

counteract Savimbi, in a way. Would you like to comment?

[Answer] In Angola I did not participate in any conflict. The problem I face

is knowing whether at this time we can find a solution and if I can be useful.

In connection with the UNITA, I think that the basic problem is South Africa.

It is necessary to engage in serious talks with South Africa. Even more

serious than the Nkomati talks. This would make it possible to get beyond all

of the problems.

[Question] Will you return without any party affiliation?

[Answer] It is not necessary for all the Angolans to be party militants in

order tor them to make their contribution to the country.

[Question] Would Chipenda sign an appeal to the Angolan cadres to return to

the country?

32
[Answer] Yes. I was there and I saw. They say that Angola has regressed 50

or 100 years. It is not because the Cubans are there. It is because the

cadres left.

[Question] Do you believe that the political conditions needed to make

competence prevail over political favoritism exist?

[Answer] President Jose Eduardo dos Santos will do everything he can.

5157

CS0:3442/55

33
ANGOLA

MPLA DIPLOMATIC MANEUVERS DISCUSSED

Lisbon SEMANARIO in Portuguese 29 Nov 86 p 51

[Article by Carlos da Matta: "Angola, the Diplomatic Battle Intensifies"]

[Text] The scheduled visit by the RPA's foreign affairs minister, Afonso Van

Dunem, "Mbinda," to Portugal unquestionably reflects a trend toward improving

the fluctuations that have marked relations between the two countries, and

follows upon contacts on various levels, both political and commercial.

The event will take place during one of the most difficult periods for the

Angolan economy, as a result of the decline in oil revenue and the constant

drop in food production. Attesting to the financial situation are the many

bank overdraws (estimated at several million dollars) by the National Bank of

Angola, largely involving its foreign representatives.

Hence, it is likely that the economic "dossiers" will be underscored during

"Mbinda's" visit, as will the perpetual UNITA "dossier."

In fact, the hot, rainy season became entrenched and the FAPLA's April to

September offensive lasted only a few weeks. Even before it began, according

to well-informed sources in Luanda, the Soviets and Cubans were opposed to its

execution, advocated by the MPLA Armed Forces high command.

But even among inveterately militarist figures, the notion that it will be

necessary to negotiate has already made considerable headway; and, confidential

remarks from some of those figures to whom we have had access indicate that the

goal thereof is to force UNITA to go on the defensive, and subject it to major

defeats, so as then to negotiate from a position of strength. They add that

this might occur within a year and a half or 2 years.

Under these conditions, one does not know whether the Soviet-Cuban opposition

temmed from fear of the South African reaction or whether they are simply not

interested in ending the war (assuming that the Angolan officials' plan worked

out, which also appears unlikely). The fact is that FAPLA initiated the

offensive, as we reported at the time, and it failed, in view of UNITA's defense

capacity, the South African warning in Namibia, and the meager cooperation

from the RPA's allies.

34
Zaire's Time

Now, it is UNITA which is attacking, with emphasis on the northern provinces

(including Cabinda); this has evoked accusations from Luanda, claiming that

"Savimbi is being backed by Mobutu," and, at the same time, has put the latter

in the position of being heeded concerning what is happening in the southern

part of his country.

In the official political realm, the impression that one has is that the president of the republic is entangled in a group of immobilizing alliances, both

internal and international, from which he has not succeeded in emerging. Thus,

the cabinet reshuffling that was undertaken months ago has led to the formation

of a group with less governing ability that the RPA now has because of concessions to various movements comprising its party. Moreover, for a long time,

the real state decision-making center has not been the government, but rather

the Defense and Security Council, a restricted organ which meets regularly with

the president.

On the other hand, it is well known that the Soviets and Cubans suspect Jose

Eduardo dos Santos of attempting to increase his maneuvering room in relation

to the allies and, according to the Luanda "mujimbo," the USSR is counting on

Roberto de Almeida as an alternative or a mere threat. With an ideological

conduct that we have already discussed here, and obvious ambition, Roberto is

available for any alliance that would promote him on the path to power, paying

the respective price. His action was decisive in the Politburo's communique

in which there was an attack on the clandestine dissemination in Angola of

international press articles and the population was warned not to cooperate

with it.

He was also the one who attempted to launch a campaign against the Catholic

Church from which he was prevented by the president himself, even forcing him

to receive the cardinal of Luanda.

The Kremlin's Debt

But the USSR is not opposed to the RPA's economic cooperation with the West,

provided it is not reflected in an increase in the latter's political influence.

In fact, Moscow cannot support Luanda in this area, and is concerned about the

enormous size of the Angolan military debt to the Kremlin. To emerge from this

entanglement of stalemates, pressure and commitments, the present ruling class

would require great political courage; and all the more so since the people's

protests are not ceasing, the demands for democracy are gaining ground, and

time can only lead to the deterioration of the situation now.

From this standpoint, resorting to arms is only an expedient to enable.the

forces in confrontation to maintain their apparats and to make themselves

heard, because there are no legal structures whereby it would be possible to

proceed peacefully. The fact that even the militarists are talking about

negotiations is significant, and reduces the scope of certain statements made

at rallies.

35
Hence, the diplomatic battle on which the two belligerent sides have embarked,

one for which the Portuguese Republic will undoubtedly be intensely solicited:

for cultural reasons, because of its capacity for cooperating in economic

revitalization projects, because of the contacts that it has, and because of

the presence in Portugal of a large Angolan community which, as no orte today

is unaware, has inestimable value from a technical standpoint for helping to

make a future effective government viable.

2909

CSO: 3442/61

36
ANGOLA

BENGUELA YOUTH JOIN ARMED FORCES ON LARGE SCALE

Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 23 Oct 86 p 12

[Text] Benguela—The municipal and provincial reporting centers have registered

a great influx of young people to join the Armed Forces, reflecting the success

of the current Recruitment and Mobilization Campaign [CRM] in Benguela Province.

According to 1st Lt Victor Neto, "Laborin," political commissar of the Benguela

Province CRM, in statements made to ANGOP [Angolan Press Agency], the success

attained is also due to the larger number of pre-recruits, with the latter's

integration.

He added that, at present, a series of political, recreational, and sports

activities is under way with the pre-recruits, so as to encourage them to

become involved in the lofty task assumed on behalf of the party, the fatherland, and the people.

In this connection, Victor Neto stressed the contribution made by the JMPLA

[Youth of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola]-Party Youth, the

Angolan Women's Organization, and the Border Guard Troops of Angola, which

have carried out constant activities with the pre-recruits, in addition to

the cooperation and backing provided by the party and government agencies.

The political commissar of the Provincial CRM also disclosed that there are

periodic screenings of revolutionary films, as well as political meetings,

and debates on current issues.

In conclusion, he emphasized that the goals advocated during this phase of

incorporation have already been set by the Defense Ministry.

2909

CSO: 3442/60

37
ANGOLA

LUNDA-SUL TRANSPORT SHORTAGE HAMPERS DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS

Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 10 Oct 86 p 3

[Text] Suarimo—The minister of internal trade, Adriano dos Santos Junior,

remarked in Suarimo after his investigative visit to Lunda-Sul Province, that

his ministry has not even managed to execute 30 percent of the hauling of goods

bound for that province, owing to the difficulties involving transportation.

Adriano dos Santos Junior, who considered his visit important because it enabled

him to learn about the concrete situation and to hear the province's problems,

so that viable solutions might be found, told JORNAL DE ANGOLA that the Ministry of Internal Trade is bent on fulfilling the work schedule stipulated by

higher authorities to improve the supplies to the population.

The head of the Internal Trade Ministry claimed that the instructions left in

that province during his first visit in 1983 had not been fulfilled. According

to Adriano dos Santos Junior, that lack of fulfillment was due to constant

shifts in that sector's officials and cadres in Lunda-Sul Province.

As for the transportation of goods to Lunda-Sul from the source of supply

(Luanda), that leader stressed that, in addition to the politico-military

situation, the roads are not in good condition and, moreover, the rolling

stock is meager for accommodating the amount of freight to be transported.

He noted that joint efforts are under way between MINCI [Ministry of Internal

Trade] and the Ministry of Transportation to overcome this situation.

With regard to this issue, Adriano dos Santos claimed that the greatest heed

has been given to the transportation of foodstuffs, as a priority. "We can

wear the same clothes every day, but we cannot be left without food," he

remarked in this connection.

The head of the Internal Trade Ministry added: "With the change in the situation and greater organization, Lunda-Sul will be far better supplied than it

is at present."

Concerning the marketing in the rural areas, Adriano dos Santos Junior emphasized that MINCI's response capacity with regard to productive peasants is

still minor, because "we have, in general, been unsuccessful in accommodating

38
the habits and requirements of each region." In view of this, according to

that leader, the marketing plan for the rural area established by higher

authorities has begun to be decentralized.

The new supply system was also discussed by the minister of internal trade.

"The method proved that, everywhere, when there is a crisis, there are no

supplies. The new system for supplies is a rational method of distribution,

avoiding all those disagreeable situations which were experienced at other

times. It has served as guidance for the method of distribution and comsumption,

and hence it has been a total success, from Cabinda to Cunene."

Also with regard to this matter, Adriano dos Santos Junior declared that the

fundamental goal has not been attained, namely, the achievement of equitable

distribution based on the family group, despite the fact that the "queues"

have been terminated.

The minister of internal trade explained this phenomenon by stating: "Today,

we are witnessing a single person receiving the same amount of goods as a

head of a family. This is bad," he remarked.

In conclusion, Adriano dos Santos Junior observed that the second phase of

the supply system will go into effect in each province based on the status

of the control of consumers, transportation, and concrete organizations.

2909

CSO: 3442/60

39
ANGOLA

LUNDA-SUL EXPERIENCING SHORTAGE OF TRANSPORTATION

Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 28 Oct 86 p 3

[Text] As in many parts of the world, transportation in Lunda-Sul Province is

the heart of all the areas of social existence, devoted not only to the

carrying of cargo and passengers, but also to ensuring communications, the

maintenance and repair of facilities, the training of drivers, etc., which

obviously constitute fundamental elements for the good conservation of the

rolling stock that the ETP [Provincial Transportation Enterprise] in Lunda-Sul

has avaiable, which is already in short supply. In fact, as is general knowledge, the major problem that the province is experiencing is the lack of heavy

transportation from Luanda itself, to guarantee the work done in the various

parts of the province, where the presence of transport facilities, not only in

sufficient quantity but also with the capacity to meet the demands and requirements, is extremely essential.

As JORNAL DE ANGOLA learned from Pedro Henrique Sandungo, the provincial transportation delegate, the sector transported nearly 738 tons of various cargo

and 27,800 passengers last year, in activities carried out with enterprises

covered by it.

During the same period, that sector transported 32,452 kilograms of goods and

22,943 passengers, using air facilities.

As for the first half of this year, according to Pedro Sandungo, nearly 414 tons

of various cargo were moved, while 11,470 passengers were carried by highway

facilities, and 16,298 by road transport.

Also during the first half of this year, the transportation sector in LundaSul contributed the sum of 290,000 kwanzas to the General State Budget [OGE].

In this regard, the provincial transportation delegate noted: "It is difficult

to find a difference in the amount of the profits accrued, because the income

of the enterprises included has a deficit. The only enterprise that has contributed to the OGE is Manauto."

With 15 long-distance vehicles having an extraction capacity of 194 tons, the

transportation sector in Lunda-Sul is attempting to recover the old ones, so

as the enlarge its fleet; because only nine of the 15 vehicles are operating,

in addition to 29 buses, only four of which are in circulation.

40
In this connection, steps are being taken to create a local.plan. This plan

is aimed at recovering the large number of vehicles that have been out of.

service for some time. Three long-distance trucks have already been recovered.

A team of technicians from the GUEDAL enterprise recently visited this province

to observe "on the spot" the damage to the Mercedes buses, so as to undertake

the respective recovery.

Nearly 246 workers are employed in that sector, and the difficulties confronted

stem from the meager truck fleet, the lack of supplies of spare parts, fuel,

and lubricants, and the shortage of skilled workers; despite the work that

has been done in connection with the recovery of the existing capacity and

the occupational improvement of some cadres.

The non-payment of debts and for services rendered, on the part of users, was

cited by Pedro Sandungo as another major problem that has particularly hampered

the execution of several orders by the Lunda-Sul transportation sector.

2909

CSO: 3442/63

41
ANGOLA

MEASURES ADOPTED TO IMPROVE TRADE IN UIJE

Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 17 Oct 86 p 3

[Text] Uije—The meeting of the Expanded Administration Consultative Council

of the Uije Province Internal Trade Delegation which took place in the municipality of Negage concluded with the making of major decisions aimed at improving the commercial activity in the province.

The participants in the meeting decided to create groups of peasant cooperatives

and associations, as well as establishing a protocol between Egromista of Uije

and Namibe Province to supply the population with dried fish.

The MINCI [Ministry of Internal Trade] provincial delegation also recommended

the daily delivery of goods to the enterprises associated with the sector,

namely, the commercial administration, and the undertaking of a survey of the

private commercial system.

The participants in the meeting also cautioned the internal trade municipal

delegates about the disorderly issuance of credentials given to private

merchants, calling for the creation of the first tourist center in the municipality of Negage within 90 days.

Preparatory Meeting for BPV Conference

The meeting of the provincial preparatory commission for the first national

conference of the People's Vigilance Brigades [BPV], which took place in this

town, ended with the recommendation to publicize and study the convocation for

the BPV's first national conference, on all levels.

During the meeting, the participants were also informed about the instructions

from the national commission and the propaganda plan supporting the conference.

The work was directed by the BPV provincial coordinator, Domingos Mutaleno.

Peasants Association

The municipal commissar of Bungo, David Lumueno, visited the Patrice Lumumba

peasants association in this locality to be informed of its degree of organization and operation.

42
With that association, David Lumueno conveyed to the peasants the resolutions

emerging from the first meeting of organized peasants, advocating an increase

in agricultural and livestock production.

Meanwhile, the first secretary of the Maquela do Zombo Municipal Committee of

the MPLA-Labor Party, Nicolau das Neves, met recently with church leaders,

with whom he discussed the secular nature of the Angolan state.

2909

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43
ANGOLA

SONANGOL'S CONTRIBUTION TO COUNTRY'S ECONOMY VIEWED

Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 19 Oct 86 p 2

[Text] Lubango—Last year, the provincial delegation of the Angolan Fuel Company

(SONANGOL) collected for the general state budget the sum of 272,399,000.00

kwanzas, for the first half, and, during the same period this year, the sum

of 245,033,000.00 kwanzas.

That report, provided to JORNAL DE ANGOLA in this town by the aforementioned

company's provincial delegate, Rui Lage, noted that this contribution was due

to the sale of over 213 tons of gas, 450 cubic meters of gasoline, 260 cubic

meters of petroleum, 470 cubic meters of gas oil, 86 tons of fuel oil, and 13

tons of lubricants; reflecting an effort to meet the needs of the province for

inflammable products, the procurement of which during recent months has not

shown great intensity.

According to Rui Lage, the present difficulties of the company which he directs,

comprising a barrier to the progress of daily activities, are due to the lack

of spare parts and replacement materials, particularly for the vehicles distributing fuel and those for supply stations, as well as the inadequate supply of

lubricants and transportation facilities from Luanda. Also constituting an

obstacle is the access to fuel consumption centers, owing to the poor condition

of the roads, as well as the shortage of qualified cadres, both for the bureaucratic area and the technical one, among others.

However, that provincial official noted that, to minimize those obstacles,

they are resorting to direct imports from outside of the country, and the

general management has assumed responsibility for leasing barges to remove the

product. SONANGOL's provincial delegate remarked: "As for the status of the

cadres, we are engaged in recruiting them; and, insofar as the roads are

concerned, it is all beyond our potential."

On the other hand, he considered as improvements that have occurred the increase

in the number of supply stations and service stations, as well as the reopening

of three others, and the quality of the service that his workers have been

providing in the course of the latter. The introduction of the new type of gas

container on the market, as well as the substantial regularity of its demand

and distribution, and that of petroleum in the municipality of Lubango and its

vicinity, also received Rui Lage's appreciation and praise, for the selfless

work and effort.

44
Commenting on the social benefits that have benefited the workers from the

SONANGOL delegation» he remarked that, at present, there is a vehicle used

solely for home to business service and vice-versaj and that they are

currently engaged in providing other stipulated items, such as the monthly

supply of foodstuffs and industrial goods, as well as the creation of a

medical station, a dining hall, and a social center.

2909

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45
ANGOLA

BRIEFS

SPAIN DONATES FLOUR—A donation consisting of 1,500 tons of wheat flour was

turned over to our authorities by the Spanish Government as food assistance

offered to Angola by the Kingdom of Spain. The ceremony to deliver the gift

took place yesterday in the port of Luanda. Present representing Spain was

the charge d'affaires from that country's embassy in Angola, Alberto Moreno;

and, representing Angola, the head of the office for Western countries of the

State Secretariat of Cooperation, Simao Silva, and the general director of

Transapro, Victor de Magalhaes. According to sources associated with Transapro,

an enterprise responsible for transporting and supplying goods, the flour that

has been received will be distributed among the bakeries of Luanda Province.

The charge d'affaires from the Embassy of Spain, Alberto Moreno, told the press

that his country has for several years provided our country with food assistance

and noted that this contribution would be diversified in the future. The Angolan officials in attendance expressed appreciation for the act of the Spanish

Government, which reflects the relations that exist between the two countries.

[Text] [Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 10 Oct 86 p 12] 2909

MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS APPOINTED—Sumbe—The provincial commissar of Kuanza-Sul,

Ramos da Cruz, relieved the municipal commissars of Kilenda and Porto Amboim,

Manuel Abrantes Junior and Paulo da Conceicao Cunha, respectively, for the

benefit of the service. In a dispatch recently made public in this town, the

commissar of Kuanza-Sul named the following to the same positions: Armando

Fernando da Silva Kimbundo, for municipal commissar of Kilenda, and Manuel

Joaquim Antonio, to Porto Amboim. Meanwhile, in another dispatch, Ramos da

Cruz appointed Joao Batista Bastos Diogo to the post of municipal commissar of

Seles. [Text] [Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 19 Oct 86 p 2] 2909

BULGARIAN DELEGATION VISITS—Yesterday morning, a delegation from the Communist

Party of Bulgaria (PCB) which has been in Angola for several days at the invitation of the MPLA-Labor Party visited the Karl Marx-Makarenko Student Complex.

During the course of the visit, the group, headed by the assistant director of

ideological policy of the Communist Party of Bulgaria, Todor Gantchev, held a

meeting with the management of that educational establishment and with instructors of Bulgarian nationality engaged in their teaching activity there. The

office of civil construction projects, the textbook workshop, the chemistry,

electricity, and metallurgical laboratories, and the amateur studio of Angolan

National Radio at the Karl Marx-Makarenko Complex were carefully assessed by

46
the visiting delegation, which is leaving the country today, bound for the

People's Republic of Mozambique. The Bulgarian group was accompanied by

Candido Isaac, a division chief from the Department of Political and Ideological Education (DEPI) of the MPLA-Labor Party Central Committee, and Francisco

Chiuissa, secretary of the Luanda party's Provincial Committee for the Ideological Area. [Text] [Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 19 Oct 86 p 1] 2909

BPV MEMBERSHIP IN CUNENE—Castanheira de Pera—The rank and file structures of

the People's Vigilance Brigades (BPV) in Cunene Province are engaged in an

assembly process aimed at discussing the draft proposition on autonomy at this

level. The process began on Thursday in Castanheira de Pera, with the first

assembly associated with the municipality of Cuanhama, due to continue until

February of next year. If this draft is approved throughout the country, it

is stressed, that will make it possible to dissociate the BPV from the provincial commissariats. The process is taking place based on the slogan, "vigilance

brigades, strength of the people in the defense of the revolution." At the

present time, Cunene Province has 117,000 brigade members, 930 of whom are

women. [Text] [Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 28 Oct 86 p 3] 2909

COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH GHANA—A few days ago, in Accra, Angola and Ghana

signed an agreement for cooperation in the areas of agriculture, industry,

energy, air transport, and cadre training. The accords were signed at the

conclusion of the work of the third session of the joint Angolan-Ghanaian

cooperation commission meeting in Accra. The Angolan delegation, which returned

to the country on Wednesday, was headed by the minister of agriculture and member

of the MPLA-Labor Party Central Committee, Evaristo Domingos, "Kimba," and

included heads of various ministries and of the National Stock Exchange Institute. During his stay in Accra, Evaristo, "Kimba," was received by the Ghanaian

head of state, Jerry Rawlings, with whom he discussed matters relating to the

cooperation between the two countries and the prevailing situation in Southern

Africa. [Text] [Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 10 Oct 86 p 12] 2909

ENLISTMENT IN LUBANGO—On Tuesday, 121 youths reported in the municipality of

Quilengues (180 kilometers north of Lubango) to join the armed services. The

presiding party official praised the youths' free enterprise, and addressed

words of encouragement to them, making them sense the need to defend the

revolution's conquests. The population of Quilengues is approximately 100,000-

150,000 inhabitants, whose activity is essentially agricultural. [Text] [Luanda

JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 10 Oct 86 p 3] 2909

SOCIAL EMULATION RECOMMENDED—For 4 days last week, political commissars from

all echelons and units of the fifth politico-military region (Huila, Namibe,

and Cunene) met in Castanheira de Pera, for the ninth seminar of this region's

political directorate. A total of 18 decisions were taken from the seminar,

which was directed by the chief of the region's political directorate, Maj

Egidio de Sousa e Santos, "Disciplina," one of which expressed the desire of

the political commissars to continue engaging in their work based on the

instructions from the Second Congress and from the plenaries of the MPLALabor Party's Central Committee. The seminar attendees also decided to guarantee that no combatant would remain outside the party's influence, to begin

action that will make it possible to give political training courses in MarxismLeninism to combatants, civilian workers, and those in custody, and also to

establish the socialist emulation system among the troops. They also decided,

as a conclusion, to promote the creation of dance, dramatic, and music groups,

and to foster action leading to the imposition of the spirit of patriotism

47
among the children recruited into the Pioneers Organization, through interest

clubs and others. [Text] [Luanda JORNAL DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 22 Oct 86 p 3]

OFFICIALS APPOINTED IN MALANJE—Malanje—In connection with government relations

involving this province, Lt Col Joao Ernesto dos Santos, "Liberdade," a member

of the party's Central Committee and provincial commissar of Malanje, recently

swore in five new members of the state's apparat for the province in that city.

On this occasion, Francisco Agostinho Nzunga, Jorge Muambo, and Oliveira Mulemba

were sworn in for the offices of municipal commissar of Cambundi-Catembo and of

Kirima,and assistant for Marimba, respectively. Pedro Luis Viriato and Custodio

Joao Cordeiro Neto were also sworn in for the posts of director of community

services and of tourism and hotel services, respectively. [Text] [Luanda JORNAL

DE ANGOLA in Portuguese 22 Oct 86 p 3] 2909

ZAIRIAN BORDER OPENED—(AIM)—The authorities in the Angolan province of

Lunda-Norte and the Zairian region of Kasai Occidental met in the city of

Tshikapa in Zaire last weekend to negotiate the signing of an agreement on the

opening of the crossing points at the frontier. Crossing points are to be

established in the localities of Kissanga in Angola and Kamakelesa in Zaire.

Sources in Zaire revealed that the chiefs of state Jose Eduardo dos Santos of

Angola and Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, participated in the negotiations on the

opening of these frontier posts. [Text] [Maputo NOTICIAS in Portuguese 1 Dec

86 p 5] 5157

NEW RANKS CREATED—The People°s Assembly of the RPA which was recently elected

has established four levels in the general officers' category: general of the

army, colonel general, major general and lieutenant general. Only the

president of the republic will hold the first rank, and only the minister of

defense will hold the second. The CEM, Antonio Franca, Political Director

Magalhaes Paiva and Minister of Interior Alexandre Rodrigues will hold the

third rank. All of these individuals are regarded as close to the president,

which is not the case for the fourth level. This rank will be held by

individuals ranging from Iko Carreira (transferred to the embassy in Algiers)

and Jose Xieto (who was transferred from Moscow to Belgrade because of

disagreements with the Soviets) to four other individuals whose low level of

training has led to criticism and comments by the younger FAPLA officers.

[Text] [Lisbon SEMANARIO in Portuguese 13 Dec 86 p 64] 5157

NORTH KOREANS IN AFRICA—London—From what has been learned from circles close

to experts on African affairs in this city, the number of North Koreans in

Angola and Mozambique who have reached this country via Zimbabwe is

increasing. There are at present about 4,000 North Koreans in Angola as

military cooperative personnel. Five doctors, four engineers, 10 nurses, a

psychologist, a psychiatrist, six cooks and six cooks' assistants are

included. They are concentrated in Negage and Maquela and in the province of

Huambo, in the North and South, respectively. [Excerpt] [Lisbon TEMPO in

Portuguese 6 Nov 86 p 23] 5157

CSO.-3442/55

48
BURKINA

PROPOSED BUDGET DEBATED AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Ouagadougou CARREFOUR AFRICAIN in French 19 Dec 86 pp 8-10

[Article by L.D.Z.: "Recovery Amidst Austerity"]

[Text] The national conference on the budget was held on 12 and 13 December

1986 at the People's Center in Ouagadougou. All of Burkina's 30 provinces

were represented at the conference and debated the proposed budget drafted

and presented by the Ministries of the Budget and Financial Resources. A

total of some 400 delegates from all corners of the country participated in

the great debate, which, all things considered, is "an administrative, but

above all, a political act."

The presence of the many comrades at the People's Center on 12 and 13 December

to participate in the discussions, to hear and obtain information on the

financial life of our country bears witness to the fact that they have all

understood the importance of the national budget, which must be "an instrument

of the national economy," especially, in the well-defined context of the First

5-Year People's Development Plan. Furthermore, is the budget policy not, as

the budget minister emphasized, "a set of coherent measures aimed at achieving

a certain balance"?

The massive presence of militants at this second national conference on the

budget also means that the great majority of the people have understood that

putting the budget together is the business of each and every Burkinabe.

The proposed budget for the 1987 fiscal year was the fruit of long preparation.

Since practically mid 1986, the Ministries of the Budget and Financial Resources

have worked behind the scenes but with determination in cooperation with the

DAF of the other ministries. The proposed budget was therefore "a synthesis

of spending proposals of the various ministries and institutions readjusted in

terms of anticipated receipts."

In submitting the proposed government budget for the people's evaluation,

Comrade Adele Ouedraogo reminded them of the difficult international and national economic and financial context. The international situation is without

question marked by "a slowdown in growth, an uncontrolled fluctuation of the

price of foreign exchange, a relative movement of deflation, a worsening of

unemployment and a resurgence of protectionism." Whence the drop in public aid

49
to development and a deterioration in the terms of trade. On the national

level, despite the recovery registered during the first 10 months of 1986, the

rate of growth, which was 2.1 percent between 1979 and 1982, experienced a

drop of .4 percent between 1982 and 1984. There has also been a disturbing

drop in the price of raw materials and a certain slump in the public, parapublic and private sectors in 1986. This is a handicap for the government

with respect to public finances. In addition, there is the disastrous situation inherited by the CNR [National Council of the Revolution], a situation

due to carelessness in evaluating receipts and expenditures, a lack of strictness in carrying out the budget and a lack of control over budget operations.

This difficult national and international economic and financial context

therefore required that the Burkinabe people, in keeping with their political

resolution to rely on their own strength, put together a truthful budget.

Capt Thomas Sankara, comrade president of the CNR and Faso, expressed this

concern at the opening of the conference: "In order to emerge from the impasse

today, we must take a serious attitude toward the budget, avoiding situations

of camouflage. We must examine spending realistically."

Actually, following the work of the budget committee, one could note the great

gap between the initial estimates of anticipated receipts: 75,692,000,000

CFA francs, and proposed expenditures: 124,033,000,000 francs, a difference

of 48,341,000,000 CFA francs.

The Cabinet, expanded to include the experts and meeting on 5 December to

define the main lines of the budget, reduced the deficit.to 17 billion CFA

francs.

At the opening session of the second national conference on the budget, the

president asked all persons present to answer the following three questions:

1 — Yes or no, do you approve of the proposed receipts as presented by the

ministers of the budget and financial resources?

2 — Yes or no, do you approve of the proposed spending as presented?

3 — If our spending goes beyond our receipts, what solutions do you propose?

Every Burkinabe must be an author, a protagonist in the budget.

The president of Faso rejected facile solutions aimed at turning to other

countries at the slightest deficit and also castigated the lack of budgetary

discipline and waste. In order to enable conference participants to examine

the proposed budget rapidly and judiciously, the Receipts Committee and the

Spending Committee were set up. They worked throughout the night and finally

reduced the deficit from 17 to 12 billion. The Receipts Committee recommended

improvement in the collection of taxes. It also proposed the institution of

new taxes to compensate for budgetary distortion. The Spending Committee proposed that there be no reduction in spending relative to the debt, charges and

amortization so as to respect our commitments to our partners. It also

recommended responsible and strict management of personnel and government

50
holdings. For the sake of the record, spending on personnel increased 261

percent in the past 10 years and the debt 2,480 percent during that same

period.

In putting these three questions to participants in the second national

conference on the budget, Capt Thomas Sankara said that every person must

respond while saying to himself that the answers would be put into practice

today and throughout 1987, for this budget must not be just a temporary solution. In 1987, we must think of 1988 and the following years, as well as the

First 5-Year Plan. "Every time that we receive our salary and spend that

money, we must realize that 12 billion francs remain to be found," the president of Faso warned at the conclusion of his closing address.

And, as the minister of the budget emphasized in presenting his proposals,

"The government budget must henceforth be an instrument of national development.

That is why the purpose of the 1987 budget will be to revive economic activity,

which will result in an increase in purchasing power or "measures to consolidate income, an increase in productive capacities (optimum mobilization of

available resources), "strict allocation of national resources...for our budget

is intended to be and must be a budget of action and not blockage."

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51
BURKINA

ORGANIZATION OF COMMERCIAL SECTORS DISCUSSED

Interest Groups Minister's Explanation

Ouagadougou SIDWAYA in French 18 Dec 86 p 2

[Article by S. Zerbo]

[Text] Yesterday afternoon, the national press met with the minister of commerce and people's supply, Mamadou Toure, for a report on the Economic Interest

Group (GIE), followed by a miniconference. The minister's report essentially

dealt with the topic, "The GIE and Its Impact on the Commercial Sector" in our

country. Its purpose was to enlighten public opinion and mainly economic

operators, making it possible to halt any spiteful rumors concerning the GIE.

Before turning to the GIE specifically, Toure presented for the press a review

of the situation in Burkina's commercial sector. He pointed out that even if

it is true that over 90 percent of our population practices agriculture, it is

also true that a substantial percentage of Burkinabe engage in some type of

commercial activity. One example relating to the history of commerce was

given, the Mossi salesmen from colonial times. Over the years and up to the

present time, that activity has evolved, but has stagnated to a certain extent

for various reasons. Those reasons are linked, among other reasons, to the

very nature of traditional commerce, the minister of commerce emphasized. That

commerce, like handicrafts, is unorganized and constitutes an informal sector

made up of merchants or individual establishments generally headed by families.

Toure then posed this question: "At a time when our countries are setting up

rational structures to manage their economies, is it conceivable to maintain

archaic and anachronistic working methods as observed in the private sector?"

The answer was a resounding "No!" Toure added that small enterprises have a

very important role in the formation of the GNP (gross national product), although gathering information about them is very difficult. Thus, without

meddling too much in the life of such activities, our country's Revolutionary

Government has suggested that the latter organize and has given complete latitude to the economic operators involved to define the framework they deem the

most appropriate. The minister then defined the objectives of such an organization of commercial activities. On the macroeconomic level, he would strive

for an organization of the commercial sector in its unstructured portion (traditional commerce). In addition, the GIE permits a rationalization of commercial activity, this in order to respond to the needs of a modern economy whose

evolution in all sectors should be able to be mastered thanks to the quantitative

52
data that are available and reliable, Toure hinted. From the microeconomic

standpoint, he stressed the fact that organization will help improve the

profitability of commercial activity and the economic operators working in

the sector.

The minister of trade let it be understood that the GIE is not an invention

of the government, but that it is a form of organization of the commercial

sector that corresponds to the current phase of our economy, chosen by the

economic operators themselves.

This will help facilitate plans and the planning policies of the Ministry of

Commerce and the People's Supply, as well as of.all departments entrusted

with promoting and organizing the commercial sector. With respect to the

advantages that the GIE gives merchants themselves, the minister of commerce

said they are numerous and include a better mastery of distribution circuits,

the possibility of exercising a protected profession sheltered from the

erratic disturbances of occasional merchants.

Following this report, Toure answered questions from the press. SIDWAYA will

publish in their entirety the remarks made at the press conference in its

coming editions.

Establishing Decree

Ouagadougou SIDWAYA in French 15 Dec 86 p 4

[Decree No ANIV176 CNR BF [National Council of the Revolution, Burkina Faso]

concerning the creation of Economic Interest Groups in 11 Branches of the

Commercial Sector in Burkina Faso]

[Text] The President of Faso:

Given the proclamation of 4 August 1983;

Given Order No 83-001/CNR of 4 August 1983 concerning creation of the National

Council of the Revolution;

Given Kiti No ANIV026/CNR/BF of 29 August 1986 concerning the makeup of the

Revolutionary Government of Burkina Faso;

Given Zatu No 86-009/CNR/PRES of 29 February 1986 concerning the institution

of the category of Economic Interest Groups; and

Given the decision dated 26 August 1985 of the Council of General Coordinators

of Faso creating the proposed central market of Ouagadougou;

The Cabinet, at its 19 November 1986 meeting, hereby pronounces:

53
Article 1. Economic Interest Groups are hereby set up in Burkina Faso in the

11 nonrestrictive branches of the commercial sector, as listed below, endowed

with legal status: 1. Construction materials 2. Books, paper, office

products and printing 3. Grains, wine-related products 4. Food 5. Cycles,

motorcycles and their spare parts and tires 6. Electricity, electronics,

radio, cold storage, photography, cinema, music 7. Clothing, cosmetics,

textiles, linens, secondhand clothes 8. Medicines, hardware, household

goods, hygiene and toiletries, maintenance 9. Furniture, interior decoration

10. Toys, games, recreation, sports 11. Equipment, agricultural products,

livestock

Article 2. Each of these Economic Interest Groups has the purpose of facilitating the development of the economic activity of its members and increasing

its results, in short, all operations permitting the accomplishment of the

objective pursued within its own limitations. This goal will be completed

in the agreement of parties in order to state the specificity of each group.

Article 3. Members of the Economic Interest Groups set up with capital are:

individual economic operators or companies in the private sector as defined

by the regulation of the profession of merchant in Burkina Faso, one of

whose activities is connected with the purpose of one of the groups or related

to it by assimilation given the nature of the products managed. A raabo of

the minister of commerce and people's supply will specify the nomenclature.

Article 4. Terms for the organization, management and supervision of the

above Economic Interest Groups will be established by statutes and, if needed,

completed by bylaws.

Article 5. The ministers of commerce and people's supply, financial resource

and economic promotion are responsible, individually and collectively, for

execution of this decree, which will be published in LE JOURNAL OFFICIEL DU

FASO.

Our nation or death; we shall overcome!

Ouagadougou, 5 December 1986

Capt Thomas Sankara

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54
BURKINA

CIVIL AVIATION DIRECTOR DISCUSSES PLANS

Ouagadougou SIDWAYA in French 3 Dec 86 pp 5, 9

[Interview with Sankara Managa Bamba, Civil Aviation director; date and place

not given]

[Text] On the occasion of the meeting of the committee of ministers responsible for overseeing ASECNA [Agency for Air Navigation Safety in Africa and

Madagascar], starting on 6 December in Ouagadougou, SIDWAYA met with the director of Civil Aviation (a poorly known department), Sankara Managa Bamba, an

expert on air law. Sankara defined the role of civil aviation, its organization and its political, economic and commercial importance in a landlocked

country such as Burkina Faso.

[Question] Can you tell us something about the airline companies?

[Answer] Alongside ASECNA are the airline companies, which provide another

link in the DAC [Civil Aviation Directorate]. They provide air transportation,

a purely commercial operation that brings passengers and goods together with

the aviation companies. But this does not take place in a disorganized framework because our country has what is called the traffic rights portfolio. It

is the task of the DAC to manage that traffic rights portfolio, to ensure that

the use of that portfolio does not create bottlenecks. One concrete example:

We said that it was difficult, at the present time, to give traffic rights to

Aeroflot over Bamako, despite the undeniable quality of our political relations

with the Soviet Union. That is something that is not completely understood

in certain circles. It is very simple. It is a commercial problem. Traffic

between Bamako and Ouagadougou is so small that if we put in Air Afrique,

Air Burkina and Aeroflot, then all three companies will close their doors,

when our prime task is to open up the country.

[Question] Can you tell us more about this specific aspect of opening up the

country?

[Answer] It is up to us to do it. It will depend on the establishment of a

policy encouraging the creation of traffic. But that depends on the level of

economic development of our country. At the present time, we are engaging in

talks with a number of countries and companies so that Burkina will have more

55
connections with the outside, within the framework of implementation of the

policy of ending our isolation. But when the companies in question analyze

traffic and conclude that the market is very small and that they cannot come

in, then under such conditions, we are not talking the same language because

for us, it is up to the companies, although the market is poor, to work the

market and make it prosper. Experience has shown that despite the limitations

of a market, when one comes in, that is already a factor that creates traffic.

But the companies do not want to accept the transition, which is very costly.

[Question] What kind of relations does the Civil Aviation Directorate in Burkina have with the ICAO?

[Answer] Extremely important relations. To give you an idea, we receive from

the ICAO every day nearly 2 to 3 kilos of document. They are not documents

to file away, but to be studied. They are documents concerning which we must

state Burkina's position on every tiny point. Civil aviation is essentially

international and consequently, all countries must speak the same language.

Every country fights to be a member of the ICAO board because the decisions

made at that level have an enormous effect on the financial as well as technical level. I shall take one example concerning a stumbling block: the ILS

(Instrument Landing System) and the MLS, a much more advanced system. Agreement had to be reached on that shift. It is a shift that costs our countries

an enormous amount, while the Western nations have the means to install such

equipment. Above all, they make those instruments.

[Question] Can we expect the Bobo airport to have such equipment?

[Answer] Actually, the runway at the Bobo airport will have the Category 2

ILS, like Ouaga, but not the MLS. The change will have to occur at the same

time in all the countries because this is equipment that indicates the runway

center line to airplanes in order to facilitate their landing and their horizontal level with respect to the runway because a plane landing in the middle

of the runway risks ending up beyond it.

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56
COMOROS

GOVERNMENT REDRAWING ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES

Paris THE INDIAN OCEAN NEWSLETTER in English 13 Dec 86 p 5

[Text] With the prospect of legislative elections next April the Comorian

government has been redrawing electoral boundaries. The number of constituencies is to be increased by two in Grand Comoro and Anjouan, bringing

the next parliament up to 42 seats, distributed as follows: 20 for Grand

Comoro, 17 for Anjouan and five for Moheli, whose representatives remain

unchanged in number. The two new constituencies in Grand Comoro are planned

for the Hamahamet and the Badjini, the respective power bases of Mohamed

Taki, the former chairman of the assembly now in self-imposed exile in

Paris, and Said Hassan Said Hachim, a former minister of state who has

become estranged from President Ahmed Abdallah. The government's plan is

to give both of them problems at the next elections.

The proposals, which also provide for the election of substitute members

of parliament, will be submitted for consideration to the island councils

and the federal assembly during the current parliamentary session, which

is the last of the present legislature.

Meanwhile the leader of the Union pour une Republique Democratique aux

Comores, Mouzaoir Abdallah, stated in an interview with the Quotidien de

la Reunion his intention to put up candidates in all three islands. He

also said that "dialogue is possible" among all the various Comorian

political groups and praised the role of a "link" being played at present

by the Grand Mufti of the Comoros.

Also, the former minister for transport and tourism, Antoy Abdou, who was

arrested on October 23 and held in the Patsy prison on Anjouan, was released

on December 3 without charge or trial.

/9317

CSO: 3400/759

57
DJIBOUTI

i

FINANCE MINISTER ON AUSTERITY MEASURES '

Dj ibouti LA NATION in French 13 Nov 86 pp 2-3

[Interview with Minister of Finance Mohamed Djama Elabe; date and place not

given]

[Text] Since Thursday, 2 October 1986, the minutes of the Cabinet meeting

have carried two new signatures, while two more are no longer affixed to the

same ministerial titles. The shakeup has not failed to rouse questions as

legitimate as they are far-fetched and rumors that only feed on silence.

LA NATION approached these officials, putting the questions that are on everyone's lips to them. This week, we are publishing the interview which the new

minsiter of finance and national economy consented to grant, us.

[Question] Mr Minister, it is a secret to no one that the Ministry of Finance

and the National Economy, a key sector of national development, has long been

an area of a critical lack of organization. Can one consider your recent

appointment to head that department as an attempt by the government to rehabilitate the sector in order to get the declining national economy back on its

feet?

[Answer] It is a very great honor for me to have been named by the president

to occupy the post of minister of finance and national economy. A few days

ago, as you know, I was minister of national education and I therefore ask you

to give me the time I need to make an objective analysis of the situation

existing in my new ministry. The thrust of your first question does not escape

me, but if you will allow me, I believe that it would be useful, before answering other questions, to recall what Djibouti's economic life over the past

10 years has been.

Increasingly Tight Budgets

Following its accession to independence in June 1977, the Republic of Djibouti

received foreign aid for investment, mainly in the form of gifts from friendly

countries. Major projects of all kinds were completed. It was in fact necessary to open the doors of the schools to all our young people, to set up the

infrastructures needed for proper operation of public enterprises, ministries

and services, in a word, launch a young nation living in a difficult political

economic and social context, bringing all the weight of the effort to bear on

development.

58
All aid was Injected into investment projects that themselves generated work

and therefore, revenue for our people, but also resources for the budget. You

know that our service economy alone produces the revenue for the operating

budget. All the new ministries and services set up since independence have

survived thanks to those receipts.

It is also worthwhile to recall that the international inflation that prevailed during the early years enabled the government's budget, based on our

fiscal system applied to duties :on goods coming into the country and the

weakness of the American dollar compared with the currencies of exporter

countries, to register substantial unearned increments in receipts. They

also made it possible to hire more personnel for the administration and provide

the minimum material means enabling it to operate correctly.

However, as early as 1980-1981, the international context began to change and

economic factors shifted unfavorably for Djibouti. Aid decreased and the

American dollar, which, I would remind you, is linked to our Djibouti franc

by a fixed parity, has seen its rate climb and nearly triple in 5 years. In

the beginning, government reserves made it possible to finance the budget's

chronic deficit.

In fact, at no time have our own resources enabled us to finance the government's entire operating budget. The investment program continues to be carried

out in accordance with the objectives set by the government under the wise

leadership of the president. Moreover, as early as 1982, a large part of the

spending of the National Army has been taken over by the government's budget.

One should emphasize that credits granted to the National Armed Forces have

remained at the same level in the last 10 years.

The international economic stagnation has had the greatest impact on the

Republic of Djibouti. Our small economic margins and our reduced financial

reserves create difficulties forcing us to draft increasingly tight budgets,

year after year.

At the present time, there is in fact an economic decline that is visible in

all sectors: commerce, public works, construction, and so on. There is less

work and our people are suffering. The government is aware of these circumstances and the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, which I now head,

will use all the means placed at its disposal to attenuate the current difficulties and get the national economy back on its feet as soon as possible.

Loyal to the Government

[Question] What is the current state of the country's finances?

[Answer] This year, 1986, is a difficult year for the budget. Revenue is

down and the government was forced in May to reduce the administration's

operating credits by 15 percent and to set forth other economy measures that

will unfortunately be inadequate to balance the budget. In order to achieve

such a balance (receipts equaling spending), foreign aid will be insufficient

and we shall again have to resort to the government's reserve funds, whose

level has constantly dropped in the past several years.

59
I personally helped draft the 1987 budget and as you can see, in a few weeks,

the government's standard of living will be considerably reduced. Before -

informing the government, I cannot reveal what measures were taken, but my

aim is for the government to live within its means and reserve foreign aid

(gifts and loans) for productive investments.

[Question] What are the Ministry of Finance's major problems?

[Answer] In the Ministry of Finance, nothing is ever sure ahead of time. It

will be thanks to the steadfast nature of our action, the persistence and

loyalty of our officials in doing their duty that our mission will be successful. After speaking with them, I believe they are persuaded of the essential

role they must play. I hope there will be a team spirit in my ministry at all

levels and that the interests of the government will be fairly protected at

all times and in all places.

Taxpayers will pay all duties and taxes they owe the government, not one franc

less, but not one more either. Some always owe the government money. They

are well-known and should pay their arrears soon.

Regarding all departments, absenteeism and administrative delays will be

combatted. Many young people are graduating and are willing to take the places

of faltering civil servants who not only have rights, but duties as well. I

shall do my best to make them understand this.

In addition, I am particularly anxious for information to circulate between

the government and those governed. Every taxpayer must be able to be informed

and helped by our employees in their administrative transactions. Every department head must teach his personnel the duty of strictness, but also a

sense of public relations. Defending the government's interests is applicable

in the area of collecting budget receipts, but also — and I am most anxious

about this — in the use of public funds, a sacred trust.

The timeliness of spending and its supervision are two key words that must

never be lost sight of by officials in departments receiving budgetary credits.

I shall see to this personally.

The difficult phase we are now going through because of the highly unfavorable

circumstances must be endured without too much damage if each of us takes his

work seriously and remains loyal to the government.

Country's Image and Reputation

[Question] Nearly 10 years after independence, the national economy has difficulties in taking off and the ambition of making Djibouti a financial hub in

the region seems more and more to be an illusion. Thus, given the experience

of this decade, what is the government *s new strategy to get our economy out

of xts impasse? J

[Answer] Djibouti, an international financial market place: Is this an ambition or an illusion? I might add: Is it a reality? The fact is that

60
Djibouti is now and has for a long time been an important banking center.

Several international banking firms of French, Anglo-Saxon and Arab origin

are already represented here in the form of subsidiaries or participation.

Banks of neighboring countries are also established here. All have invested

and continue to invest in the Republic of Djibouti and maintain part of their

profits here.

The banking system we find here goes far beyond the mere needs of the local

economy. One of its raisons d'etre is its openness to the regional economy.

Based on a solid currency, the Djibouti franc, and total freedom of exchange,

it drains off foreign deposits and participates actively in the financing of

regional commerce. Djibouti is therefore an international financial market.

This is important but does not fully satisfy our ambitions. Work remains to be

done, but an international financial center cannot be founded by decree! It is

a difficult wager but it is not lost.

Nor must one forget that we arrived on the market as a young nation in a troubled region. These two traits were somewhat negative. But in 10 years, we

have given of our country the proper image of an area of peace and stability.

This is an important aspect.

We also arrived at a time when the boom of the big financial centers had slowed

down. This tightening had not been anticipated and at the present time, international banks are experiencing serious difficulties, with the ebb of the petrodollars. Financial centers in the Middle East are experiencing a recession;

the difficulties of debtor countries worry creditors and affect volumes

handled. In such a context, our ambitions must remain modest, but are still

well-founded because the conditions favoring the development of the Djibouti

market are still there.

First of all, on the institutional and regulatory level, few places are so

open: The total freedom of exchange and complete convertibility of the

Djibouti franc are realities never contradicted by the facts. The government

is particularly concerned about this. Banking activity is governed by clear

legislation; the framework established in 1979 by the bylaws of the National

Bank of Djibouti was spelled out and clarified in February 1985. While

strict because it is a matter of guaranteeing the security and reputation

of our financial center, the rules of the game are sufficiently open. The

National Bank, which has the means of carrying out its mission, is responsible

for overseeing application of the rules. It does so and will continue to do so

in the same spirit of strictness and openness. Regulation of companies in the

free zone and above all, a very liberal investment code and taxation encouraging financial operations make Djibouti a real fiscal paradise.

Materially speaking, few financial centers in the region provide access to

international telecommunications networks with the quality we offer. Moreover,

served by this system, our geographic position in a time zone halfway between

the Far East and America can give us a stopping place between the two. Finally,

there is no need to dwell on the accommodating infrastructures of the city of

Djibouti.

61
Without entering into the technical details, we can therefore see that the

structure needed for development of the international financial center exists.

We therefore have some reason to be ambitious and not to be satisfied with the

current situation in which, I would repeat, the financial center already has

a certain scope — the average bank deposits exceeds 40 billion Djibouti

francs and while the main banks handle all international operations, we

still need establishments exclusively specializing in the field.

We must therefore continue our promotional efforts and take advantage of the

opportunities that arise. However, we must also be very demanding: demanding

with respect to the quality of the financial institutions. We cannot allow

just anyone to come in. Moreover, tie government has demonstrated this over

a year ago by forcing a bank to shut down because it did not play by the

rules. We must be demanding with ourselves because we still lack enough

high-level and highly trained personnel. Our young people in the tertiary

sector will have to make the necessary effort to acquire difficult technical

training because there can be no lasfing development without the active contribution of nationals.

We must be demanding with ourselves, The strictness, speed, competence and

civic spirit of our administration aild particularly of the financial administration which I head must be infallible because it is the administration that

translates the will of the government! into daily action. Any failing in dealing with international partner^ who are very demanding with respect to legal

security can have catastrophic consequences on the country's image and reputation.

All Assets

[Question] You speak of difficulties 'taking off. To preserve our image, I

would say that following a rapid ascent, we have reached a ceiling without yet

achieving our cruising speed, meaning Ian adequate degree of autonomy.

[Answer] I shall not go back over the continuing international and regional

difficulties that have greatly affected our activity. However, let us just

observe that since independence, direct public investments have been substantial, creating jobs around them knd maintaining very important business flow.

The boom in construction, somewhat rapid in certain ways, bears this out.

At the present time, the 1984-1988 program is being carried out, totaling

some $290 million, over 5 billion Djibouti francs. The most important items

concern road, port and airport infrastructures, production of energy and urban

development. In large proportions, all of these operations were financed by

outside aid, either gifts or with advantageous terms. The 1984-1988 program

finds 9Q percent of its resources in financing from friendly countries or

international organizations. Such investments are indispensable in creating

conditions favorable for development.

And yet, whatever the favorable nature of financing such operations, it is now

necessary to pause, even if work remains to be done.

62
We can see, in fact, that:

The improvement in infrastructures by an extension of government holdings

nvolves new operating and maintenance burdens without directly producing the

resources needed for their financing.

Directly productive investments of an industrial-or-commercial nature were few

and have not always been properly managed.

Private investments using national resources remained very low, |as if people

expected the government to take the place of entrepreneurs.

Finally, the burden of the foreign public debt, repayment of loans and the

payment of interest will, if we are not careful, place a heavy load on public

finances.

This is why emphasis must be placed on the mobilization and local use of

national private savings, benefiting service activities which remain Djibouti's

real vocation, from small or medium-size industries replacing imports to

imports and agriculture. )

In these fields, while private enterprise is slow to manifest itself, the

government's position is clear. It reaffirms its attachment to the economic

liberalism proclaimed in the law of economic orientation of May 1982.

Freedom of exchange and the broad possibilities offered by the investment

framework and the free zone prove this determination.

Moreover, we are looking at development possibilities that could be offered by

our membership in the Preferential Trade Zone of East and Southern Africa

(ZEP) because the national market is much too narrow to permit industrial

operations or others of any scope.

Foreign promotional activities such as the one just conducted bu the port

in Paris or the Chamber of Commerce in Nairobi must be stepped up to make

use of the assets we already have.

Solid Currency

1 [Question] In your opinion, what are the main causes of the chronic deficit

in the national budget and how do you explain the gradual drying up of the

Reserve Fund, which dropped from 10 billion Djibouti francs in 1981 to under

1.5 billion today? !

[Answer] You have brought up the big drop in what is called the Reserve Fund.

It is true; we have used a large share of the reserves, but what is one to

conclude? Have we become so poor thereby? Certainly not. We can see those

reserves, transformed into investments, equipment of all kinds throughout the

country, constituting the indispensable framework for economic and social

development. While we did have very substantial reserves some time ago, over

10 billion Djibouti francs, or over half of the government's budget at the

63
time, it was because the foreign capital contributing to the creation of our

nation could not be used immediately. As the projects for which they were

earmarked were carried out, those financial masses were absorbed. Only a

fraction of such reserves were used to finance the current operation of the

government, at a time when the slowdown in the economy resulted in less fiscal

revenue than anticipated.

After adaptation to this new situation, strict application of the rule of a

balanced budget should exclude any use of reserves to cover operating expenses.

Our goal is to rebuild the fund to the level of about a month of current

spending in order to meet any gaps between spending and revenue in the future.

Finally, we shall do everything to limit government spending to the amount of

its own resources, reserving outside aid to finance investments. This is a

prime goal. Concerning public reserves, when one speaks about a reserve fund,

this is not a monetary reserve that is a completely distinct entity. The

peculiar feature of the Djibouti franc is that it is attached to the American

dollar by a fixed parity and it has complete cover of bills and currency in

circulation. This means that the National Bank has assets in dollars, in the

government's name, strictly equaling the counter value of the notes and

coins issued. This is a legal obligation that is strictly respected and that

contributes to the solidity of our currency. Actually, this cover is even

slightly higher than money in circulation.

Since we are speaking of currency, one might recall that the monetary mass is

not solely made up of notes and coins in circulation, representing nearly

8 billion Djibouti francs. It is also made up of deposits in banks on the

order of 22 to 25 billion Djibouti francs. These deposits have as their main

counterparts the credits distributed by local banks and net foreign exchange

income. For its part, the Central Bank does not create scriptby not refinancing

the tertiary sector. The cover of that monetary mass is, whatever may have

been said, satisfactory because it is over 50 percent, without considering the

additional cover constituted by assets in special drawing rights (SDR) and

other lines of credit which the national financial system has.

Faithfully Serving the Nation

[Question] For some time now, the government has initiated some austerity in

the country in order to cut useless spending. Are there other measures of

that nature planned by the government? What decisions will it take to increase

government revenue?

[Answer] I told you that the austerity measures taken by the government in

1987 would be very harsh, even very restrictive for small government departments

whose open credits are very low. Wait a few weeks and you will see that the

government does not intend to spend public monies uselessly. Strictness and

austerity will be the key words of budget management for 1987.

64
Regarding government receipts, no new fiscal measure is planned for the 1987

budget. On the contrary, I believe that fiscal pressure in the Republic of

Djibouti is already quite strong. We must not increase it further because

the purchasing power of the great masses is low. Many Afars and Issas experience great difficulty in raising their children.

An improvement in some budgetary receipts will depend on a better yield of

officials under my orders. All my action will be aimed at these men in whom

I place complete trust. They will have to earn it. We must fight the economic

crisis and not just endure it passively. The same is true of our civil servants, who will have to behave as truly responsible, honest, loyal citizens.

They will be judged on their action. If it should be negative, then, I repeat,

I will do away with them. Others are impatiently waiting to be hired and are

willing to serve their country loyally.

National Construction

[Question] We often deplore the casual attitude toward administration of the

public monies. Has the government planned new sanctions to fight the

squandering of public finances?

[Answer] I repeat that the 1987 budget will be carried out with the greatest

strictness. Compulsory and priority expenses will mean that:

The amount of reimbursement of the foreign debt will totalisome 914 million

Djibouti francs for the Central Government and 1,481,000,000 for public

establishments.

The government's counterpart to investment spending, the sum pledged by the

Republic of Djibouti with lender organizations, will be 374 million Djibouti

francs in 1987.

Personnel expenditures will amount to 12,731,000,000 Djibouti francs.

We can thus see that these three categories of expenses absorb 14 billion

of a budget of some 22 billion Djibouti francs. Other credits have been hard

hit by economy measures taken by the government, as shown below. On the whole,

the tightening of spending will include (in percent):

Operating credits for departments - 15

Maintenance of roads and buildings - 6.4

Operating subsidies - 7.4

Equipment credits - 48.6

As you can see, it is a real austerity budget that will be submitted to the

National Assembly for its approval. As I have repeated several times, I intend

to follow the management of public finances very closely. There will be supervision at all levels and those who stray from the line I am setting forth will

be the first to suffer if their behavior goes against the government's interest.

65
[Question] What changes have you made since your arrival at the head of this

great ministry? ;

[Answer] Only a few days ago, I took over the Ministry of Finance and National

Economy. The president has placed his trust in me to assume the task at a

time when the economic situation is more than unfavorable. First of all, by

giving individuals confidence and by confronting them with their responsibilities, I believe that the ministry, with the modest means it has and with only

those means, will now move toward a better future. If changes are necessary,

they will come later. We must continue our action with the men already in

office. If they truly want to participate in the mission I propose to them,

the results will not be long in coming.

[Question] Mr Minister, what would you say to those who foresee ä catastrophic

economic future for our country? In other words, what assets does the Republic

of Djibouti have and on which ones can it rely?

[Answer] A great deal remains to be done. As I was saying at the beginning of

our interview, regarding finances, nothing is certain ahead of time. Our

predictions are drafted in short-range terms and must be realistic. We are

living through the final months of a decade rich in lessons of all kinds.

We must all mobilize in order to assume the full responsibilities we bear.

We must live within our own means and develop our social arid economic assets.

A second 5-year plan in which development of the productive private sector

will receive priority will soon come into being. !

It should enable our young nation to express itself better in an economic context that is better drafted and better adapted to the needs of its people.

For me, this country's prime asset is man. He must forge his own destiny and

participate in the task of nation-building with all his strength.

Those serving in the Ministry of Finance now know what I expect of them. I

hope that good results will not be long in coming.

11,464

CSO: 3419/61

66
GUINEA

ECONOMIC COOPERATION CONTINUES WITH FRG

Conakry HOROYA in French 12 Dec 86 pp 1-2

[Text] Negotiations were conducted from 21 to 23 October 1986 between a

delegation from the government of the Republic of Guinea and a delegation from

the' government of the Federal Republic ofI Germany on continuing economic

cooperation between the two countries. j

The Guinean delegation was' headed by the (minister at presidency for plan and

international cooperation, Edouard Benjamin. It also included Kemoko Keita,

minister of human resources, industry and small and medium enterprises.

The German delegation was headed by Dr Wolf Preuss, director of cooperation

with Africa in the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation.

I | ;

Financial Cooperation

Both delegations agreed to use the sum of 50 million German marks for the

following projects, a sum available for financial cooperation for 1986 and

1987. A total of 10 million marks was granted in December 1985 in anticipation of the 1986 1987 period. J

!

Participation of the^ DEG [German Development Commission] in the corporate

capital of the BICIGUI [International Bank of Commerce and Industry of Guinea]

up to the sum of 3 million marks; rehabilitation and expansion of the Conakry

Port, Phase 2, up to the sum of 25 million marks; village water projects, up

to the sum of 10.5 million marks; the Kerouane water supply system, up to the

sum of 1.3 million marks, increasing the 9-million-mark commitment made in

1984; the fund for studies and experts up to the sum of .2 million marks, an

increase in the fund \of some 2.8 million marks.

i

For technical cooperation, the two delegations agreed to use 18 million marks

as follows: the special renewable energies program (up to the sum of .8 million

marks); continuation of these projects: rural development in the Kissidougou

region (up to the sum!of 5.5 million marks); rural primary health care in

Kissidougou and Gueckedou (up to the sum of 5.5 million marks); the Tumbo electrical power plant and technical assistance (up to the amount of 2 million

marks); promotion of the RTG [Guinean Radio and Television] (up to 1.8 million

marks); an adviser to fhe MPCI (up to .7 million marks); forestry expert

(up to 1 million marks; and an adviser for promotion of the small and medium

enterprises with the BICIGUI (up to .7 million marks).

67
The two delegations agreed that their future cooperation should be aimed at

the needs of national recovery and the priorities of both sides, especially

in the following fields: rural development; transport and communications

infrastructures; protection of forest resources; and promotion of the private

sector.

In order to evaluate prospects for future cooperation, the GTC said it was

willing to organize a seminar on a "Rural Radio" project in Conakry and the

KFW [Reconstruction Credit Bank] said it was ready to send a team to draft

a study concerning the continuation of its telecommunications commitment.

Aids in the form of goods will be used for spare parts for the TUC minibus

fleet and for spare parts and the purchase of an additional generator for the

Tumbo electric power plant.

11,464

CSO: 3419/50

68
GUINEA

LIVESTOCK, HEVEA, PALM OIL DEVELOPMENT LOAN AGREEMENT SIGNED

Conakry HOROYA in French 12 Dec 86 p 10

[Communique]

[Text] On Monday, 26 October 1986, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, in

the presence of the ambassador of France, signed two loan agreements with the

Central Fund for Economic Cooperation (CCCE), represented by Guy Lecamus,

director of the organization in Conakry.

The two agreements concern a livestock development project for the entire

country and a hevea and oil palm development project in the forest region.

For the livestock development project, over 8 billion Guinean francs will be

mobilized over a 4-year period, 2 billion contributed by the Central Fund and

the rest co-financed by the BADEA [Arab Bank for African Economic Development],

the World Bank, the Aid and Cooperation Fund and the national budget.

For the hevea and oil palm plantation project, over 40 billion Guinean francs

will be invested in 10 years. For the first 3-year phase alone, around 8.5 billion francs will be mobilized, 7.5 billion contributed by the Central Fund and

the rest of the financing coming from the national budget.

The two projects fit into the framework of the priority food self-sufficiency

and export diversification program.

The goals of the livestock project are to aid increase the productivity of

Guinean livestock by a series of actions, including: the construction or reconstruction of infrastructure needed to operate livestock facilities; aid to the

the General Livestock Directorate in its work of spreading information and

heading up annual vaccination campaigns; creation of associations of breeders

and training personnel; creation of a central supply source; financing livestock loans to reintegrate certain cadres into the private sector and for

the operation of livestock breeders associations; and the study of all matters

relating to the sector, including the drafting of a possible followup project.

The project should involve 160,000 families, about one-third of the rural population.

69
The effect of the project, evaluated over a 20-year period, should be a

60-percent increase in the size of cattle and an increase in meat and milk

production of 75 and 95 percent.

The goals of the hevea project involve the establishment of: industrial palm

plantations of 3,000 hectares, 600 hectares for the first phase; 2,000 hectares

of village palm plantations; 7,000 hectares of industrial hevea plantations,

400 hectares for the first phase; 1,000 hectares of village hevea plantations;

and from 600 to 1,000 hectares of bottom land rice paddies.

Production anticipated when peak capacity is reached will be 17,000 tons of

palm oil, 2,000 tons of palm cabbages and 17,000 tons of rubber.

The impact of these projects will be substantial economically and socially.

These new operations will make it possible to strengthen bonds of cooperation

between the Republic of Guinea and the French Republic in the vital sector of

rural development.

11,464

CSO: 3419/50

70
GUINEA

GRANDES CHUTES HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT OFFICIALLY OPENED

Conakry HOROYA in French 10 Dec 86 p 9

[Article by Jerome Dramou]

[Text] The government of President Lansana Conte has just won its first

wager in improving the supply of electric power to Conakry.

On Monday morning, 24 November, Dr Ousmane Sylla, minister of natural resources

and energy and head of a large delegation of the CMRN [Military Committee for

National Recovery] and the government, presided over ceremonies marking the

official opening of the expansion of the Grandes Chutes hydroelectric project

located on the Samou River, some 120 km from the capital.

The ceremonies took place is an atmosphere of true celebration and confidence

in the future and were attended by high officials from the capital, including:

Henri Rhetore, French ambassador; Bakary Sylla, general director of the SNE

[National Electric Company]; Maury Kaba, program director of the SNE; Guy

Lecamus, director of the CCCE [Central Fund for Economic Cooperation];

Billand [sic], Economic Expansion Station; Gerard Plessis, CGEE [General Electrical Equipment Company] Alsthon France; Jean Louis Chauffour, CGEE Alsthom

Conakry. Nearby residents also attended.

Grandes Chutes Hydroelectric Development

The Grandes Chutes hydroelectric project was completed by the CGEE Alsthom

partner. Work began on 9 September 1985. The hookup to the Generator 3

system took place on 13 September 1986 and supplied 5 million kWh for a

1-month period of semi-industrial operation and continues to provide energy.

Generator 4, connected with the system since 8 November 1986, has operated

perfectly.

Purpose of Project

The project in question is for the purpose of expanding the Grandes Chutes

hydroelectric development of the Samou River, some 120 km from Conakry. It

has a multiple purpose: supplying power to the cities of Conakry, Kindia and

those located on the 60 kV-line linking the Grandes Chutes plant with

Conakry; and supplying water to the city of Conakry, the Debele mine and

the mining camp and compound.

71
The dam, the intake, a forced conduit and the hydroelectric plant, equipped

with two generators, were completed from 1951 to 1953. The project was then

complemented by the addition of a forced conduit and two additional generators.

These last two generators, Nbs 3 and 4, have been replaced and are named in

the CGEE Alsthom contract.

In addition, energy is carried to Conakry by a 60-kV line and to Kindia by

a 15-kV line. The leadout station also provides the interconnection of the

60-kV and 110-kV systems.

The project includes generators 3 and 4 with, starting upstream and moving

downstream: base valves; turbines, with the conductor, aspiratory device

and regulators; alternators and their excitation; refrigeration alternators,

bearings and control oil; transformer elevators, neutral cells, phase exits

and alternator-transformer connections.

A group of enterprises including CGEE Alsthom, Alsthom Jeumont and Neyrpic

was set up to execute the contract, in addition to the portion undertaken

by the CGEE Alsthom. Coordination of the entire project and the civil engineering for the construction were entrusted to the CGEE Alsthom, represented in

Conakry by Jean Louis Chauffour, resident engineer.

The horizontal Francis 8.8 Mw turbines — 600 tr/min — as well äs the base

valves, conductors, aspirators and regulatory devices were supplied and installed by Alsthom.

Overall refrigeration, transformers, neutral phase cells and connections were

supplied and installed by CGEE Alsthom.

Gerard Plessis, African representative of CGEE Alsthom, presented a film at

the Grand Hotel de 1'Indepehdahce on Tuesday, 25 November 1986, which was

attended by Guinean officials, including the general director of the SNE,

Bakary Sylla.

Two short films were shown on the power plant's automated system. The films,

produced by CGEE Alsthom, presented impressive scenes aiding viewers to see the

high technology which CGEE Alsthom now possesses in darn construction, the

supplying of electric power, the manufacture of equipment and related items.

The Grandes Chutes hydroelectric project expresses the will of the Guinean

Government to provide the best possible living conditions for the people by

supplying them with electric power. The Grandes Chutes development also illustrates the significance which the government of the Second Republic attaches to

international cooperation serving developing nations.

There can be no doubt that in Guinea, CGEE Alsthom Will do good work.

11,464

CSO: 3419/50

72
GUINEA

BRIEFS

CONAKRY AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT—The CMRN [Military Committee for National Recovery]

and the government, anxious to improve navigation and landing conditions at

the Gbessia Airport in Conakry, have asked the Central Economic Cooperation

Fund (CCCE) to finance a major investment program. Lamine Bolivogui, minister

of economy and finance, and Babacar N'Diaye, secretary of state for transportation and member of the CMRN, joined with Guy Lecamus, director of the CCCE

in Conakry in signing an agreement on 26 November 1986 concerning a credit

totaling 13.7 million French francs, some 700 million Guinean francs. The

credit will make it possible to finance a program including: complete rehabilitation of the control tower; construction of a fence around the airport; and

reconstruction of the thresholds and approaches. The program will be totally

financed by the Guinean National Budget and the Central Economic Cooperation

Fund. The project completes intervention of French-Guinean cooperation in

the field of air transport, which since 1983 has received some 160 million

French francs in subsidies and credits. [Text] [Conakry H0R0YA in French

12 Dec 86 p 10] 11,464

LOAN FOR GOLD MINES—Dr Ousmane Sylla, Guinean minister of natural resources,

energy and the environment, and Rene Aubert, president of the Chevaning Mining

Company (CMC), joined together on Wednesday, 3 December, in signing the loan

agreement for $12 million by the BIAO-SIFIDA [International Bank for West

Africa-Financial Company for Investments and Development in Africa] in Guinea.

This basic agreement involves mining and the marketing of production of the

Didi and Korou gold mines in the prefecture of Siguiri by the Gold Mining Company of Guinea (SAG) (a joint venture). Following the signing of the agreement,

Sylla, chairman of the board of directors, thanked the partners, who since

1981 have worked closely with Guinean personnel at the Siguiri site. He reaffirmed the will of the Guinean Government to make the Guinean Gold Mining

Company a total success, then guarantee the interests of Guinea and Africanization of SAG personnel in the near future. For his part, Aubert, president

of the CMC and deputy chairman of the board of directors, thanked Guinea for

the good understanding that has characterized work since exploration of the

site, including financing by the partnership of international banks up until

the operation of the mines beginning in 1987. He expressed his hope of seeing •

the Guinean Gold Mining Company serve as an example of success for the creation

of other economic units in Guinea. Attending the signing ceremony was Lamine

Bolivogui, minister of economy and finance, Kerfalia Yansane, governor of the

Central Bank, and several officials from the departments concerned. [Text]

[Conakry HOROYA in French 12 Dec 86 p 3] 11,464

73
ARABIC MAGAZINE, ALGERIAN COOPERATION—Minister of Information and Culture of

the Republic of Guinea, Conakry. Dear Mr Minister: I hereby acknowledge

receipt of your letter dated 12 November 1986, informing me of the publication

starting this month of the monthly Arabic version of HOROYA. This happy event

provides me with an opportunity of congratulating, through you, the members of

the CMRN and the government, as well as all members of the Guinean press for

the efforts you have constantly made to establish a quality press and strength

strengthen Islam and the use of the Arabic language in Guinea. I can only

assure you of my personal support. I promise to spare no effort to develop

the magazine. In such a context, I would like to inform you that I have

issued instructions to the press service of our embassy to regularly send to

the magazine staff all Algerian magazines and journals in the national language

and to subscribe to your periodical. In addition, I have suggested to the

Algerian Ministry of Information that we should consider the "twinning" of

this magazine with one of the Algerian periodicals in the Arabic language,

which would without a doubt make it possible to establish close-cooperation

between the organs of the press of our two country and strengthen relations

of friendship and cooperation between Guinea and Algeria. Sincerely yours,

Ambassador A. Boukhari. [Text] [Conakry HOROYA in French 12 Dec 86 p 3]

11,464

CSO: 3419/50

74
LIBERIA

EEC GRANT FOR RURAL WATER SUPPLY ANNOUNCED

Monrovia NEW LIBERIAN in English 11 Nov 86 pp 1, 6

[Text] A grant of $2.5 million has been approved

by the European Economic Community (EEC)

in Brussels, Belguim

for the improvement

of rural water supply

project and. sanitation

facilities in four

coastal counties in

Liberia.

According to the Ministry of Planning and

Economic Affairs which

served as national authorizing office for

the EEC in Liberia,'

the four counties to

benefit fr m the grant

include, Grand Bassa,

Gratjd Kru, Sinoe and

Riverce ' ; counties.

A release from the

Planning Ministry quoted by the Liberia

News Agency (LINA),

said Friday that the

estimated cost of the

project is $2.7 million, of which the EEC

grant will cover the

construction costs of

250 water supply

points, the provision

of 180 ventilated pit

latrines, as well as

technical assistance,

for supervision and:

sensitization campaigns.

Planning and Economic Affairs Minister

Paul Jeffy said the

Government of Liberia

would finance the salaries, estimated at

$90,000 to- seconded

staff while local communities will provide

voluntary labor estimated, at $110,000 .

More ' than 40,000

people living in the

four rural communities, are to benefit

from the project.

It «rill also raise

the populät ion awarerness of water-related

hygiene and health problems , as well as

strengthen self-health

efforts in this field.

The release said the

project will therefore

contribute considerably to ameliorate living conditions and

to improve economic

activities in the project area, the release

said. — LINA

/9274

CSOr 3400/805

75
LIBERIA

ROK, CHINA TO ESTABLISH LIGHT INDUSTRIES

Monrovia DAILY OBSERVER in English 1 Dec 86 pp 1, 6

[Article by Nyenati Allison]

[Text] Two of Liberia's Asian

friends have agreed to open

a series of light industries

here shortly. South Korsa is

to engage in mining of

bauxite, managenese and

-uranium while China is expected to set up agricultural

tools manufacturing plant,

a tyre factory and a cement

plant.

Making the disclosure

following his recent visit to

the two Asian countries,

Minister Blamo said the

South Korean mining agreement will come into force

following the establishment

of a "Liberian-Korean

Economic Commission."

Modalties for the setting up

ofthe proposed commission

•re currently being worked

out.

According to Minister

Blamo, the setting up of the

joint economic commission

will be preceded by the

dispatching of several

geological experts to-Liberia

for prospecting.

If the mining plans are

implemented, it will be the

first involvement of the

Korea Government into

mining activities in Liberia.

As for China, Minister

Blamo said, it agreed to

produce tyre from locally

produced rubber, set up an

agricultural tools-making

plant, and establish nucleus

estates in line with Government's Green Revolution

activities and construct a

new cement factory.

Minister Blamo, however,

did not say whether the

nucleus estates would be set

up throughout the country.

Currently, the Chinese

Government "is working on

the design for the construction of a new Health

Ministry."

Unlike the cement factory, the establishment of a

tools-aking plant and a tyre

factory will be the first of

their kinds in Liberia.

According Minister

Blamo, the establishments

of the proposed industrial

in.stitutions will alleviate the

"country of losses" incurred on exports of raw

materials and reduce the

unemployment rate in the

country.

The Chinese Government, prior to the recent

proposed aids, has given

numerous infrastructural

and agricultural assistance

such as the setting up of the

now inactive sugar mill at

LIBSUCO in Maryland

County, and the construction of the Samuel Kanyon

Doe Sports Complex in

Paynesville.

/9274

CSO: 3400/805 76
LIBERIA

UPP CHAIRMAN MATTHEWS SPEAKS ON ECONOMIC ISSUES

Monrovia NEW LIBERIAN in English 2 Dec 86 pp 4-5

[Text of speech by Mr G. Baccus Matthews, chairman of the United People's

Party, delivered at a press conference on 27 Nov 1986 in Monrovia]

[Text]

The Chalrmrm of the Untied People'* Party.

(UPP), Mr. 5- ßaccus Matthew* on Ihur*dau

delivered a speech at hl* ßroad Street office

during a crowded pre** oonf.eM.ence at which

time he clewvlu outlined hU parly'* view* on

malor economic ls*ue*.

On hi* *peech, Mr. Matthew* who ^* al*o

Senatorial candidate for Montserrado, touched

on the need for the minting, of. more change

coinA, amalgamation of government agencx.es of

related function* and the construction of more

public buildings among other* a* co*t _*aving

measure* to *u*taln economic re-overy.. tor the

benefit of our readers, we hereunder publi*h

the full text of Chairman. Matthew*' *txvtement:

Ladies and Gentlemen

of the Press, "Friends:

The United People's

Party (UPP) is participating in the ensuing Municipal and

Legislative By-elections as a manifestation of its desire to

see a multi-party

political system exist

in actuality in this

country. This „is an

objective for which

many Liberians have

made extensive sacrifices over the years,

and it has been encouched in our Const:' -

tution. We therefo ;

believe that all citizens must now

endeavour to ensure

that that Constitution

Works.

The United People's

Party (UPP) has been

engaged in efforts

carefully calculated

to contribute to the

political stabilization process being

pursued by President

Samuel Kanyon Doe,

since we think they

are intended to enhance economic and social progress.

We believe that

political stability is

a pre-condition for

economic progress.

At this time, we

will address ourselves

to a number of other

issues of concern,

primarily those dealing with the economy :

MONETARY POLICY

We, like all other

citizens of Liberia,

would wish to see our

country return to the

days" not too long

ago, when U.S. dollar

notes were readily

available for overthe-counter transactions. Unfortunately,

this pleasant prospect

will not materialize

overnight and hardly

in the short term,

77
given present day economic realities at

home and abroad.

When the $5.00 coin

was introduced

1982, upon the recommendation of the IMF,

Liberia was faced with

the effect of accumulated short term indebtedness, much arising from the financing

projects incidental

to the OAU Conference

of 1979; extensive local obligation

arising from National

Bank drawdown on reserves of commercial

banks; problems incidental to deficit financing; a crises of

confidence in the economy and the attending

flight of capital; an

inability to restrict

the physical outflow of funds outside

of the banking process; and massive

shortfalls in revenues

due to a world-wide

recession in the rubber as well as the

iron and steel industries . In other words,

the U.S. dollar was

leaving the economy at

a time when we were

not earning enough to

bring in.

At the beginning of

I98O, there were about

2,000 rubaerfarms operating in the country.

By early 1983, theije.

were about 200-190 to

be precise. By this

time, Firestone had

stopped production at

its Cavalla estate and

freely given the plantation to government

while, at the same

time, . .offering to

sell its Harbel Plantation to government

for $26 million payable not in cash, but

in natural rubber.

While it is true

there was a decline in the price of

our major exports, it

is equally true that

there was also a decline in our access to

foreign exchange. The

saviour during this

period has been, and

continues to be, the

$5.00 coin wnicn redeemed us from being

reduced to an anomaly

in economic science:

a country in which no

money can be found.

Yet, we wish to suggest that the $5.00

coin be not perceived

as a permanent feature

in the economic life

of the Liberian people

but, rather, be viewed

as a temporary buffer,

saving us until such

time as our export

earnings would have

increased, thereby affording us greater access to the U.S.

dollar.

At this juncture,

let us declare that

we would wish, as , a

matter of policy, to

discourage the minting

of additional $5.00

coins; and help

to undermine public

suspicion about either

a design to print Liberian notes or to

increase the supply

of Liberian coins in

the system. Furthermore, the Government

should continue providing reassurance

against the prospect

of devaluating the Liberian dollar and

thereby undermining

the value of the savings and real property

of the citizens of

this country.

Let us also state

that we are not convinced that the Government has now developed the capacity

to effectively contain

the outflow of cash

through irregular

means. Therefore, we

will not encourage or

support the infusion

of U.S. notes in the

economy at this time.

However,while noting

the temporary relief

the $5.00 coin provides, we do recognize

the problem of small

change on the local

market and access to

foreign exchange for

international transactions.

While: the government

was slowly infusing

what now amounts to

about $80 million dollars of the $5.00 coin

into the money supply,

it appears that it did

not effect concomitant

appreciation of the

quantity of small denomination coins—

small change. Obviously, it must now mint,

with all deliberate

speed, about $20 million worth of small

denomination coins

78
whose infusion should

entail ä concurrent

and permanent withdrawal of an equal

amount of the $5.00

coin from circulation.

The government should

also continue its efforts to build adequate external reserves to finance international trade transactions covering essential commodities,

and effect other

necessary off-shore

payments, to include

a modest repatriation

of profits. Approaches

to external reserves

accumulation may be

advanced from a shortteam, medium term, and

long term perspectives

as follows:

»SHORT TERM

1. LPMC must reduce

its operating cost

while increasing

the price paid for

produce, especially

cocoa and coffee,

to levels competitive enough to arrest smuggling across the border.

The agency's contemplated price increase for cocoa

from 50<£ to 700 for

example, is not

enough when compared to the Ivorian price ' ~>f 95$>

2. Given the increasing competitiveness of Liberian

lumber on the world

market, better incentives should be

provided the Lumber

Companies so that

they may import capital goods to revitalize their operations and enhance

efficiency.

3. The major industrial powers, particularly the United States, Germany, France,Italy,

Britain and Japansnould be prevailed

upon to help the

government to build

its external reserves and stabilize the economy.

The infusion of

some money through

outright grants is

now absolutely

necessary and these

nations will have

to be persuaded to

go beyond current

levels of assistance. As this is

a concern which

transcends partylines, we are prepared to be associated with any

plans the government may contemplate towards such

ends.

* MEDIUM TERMS

We wish to lend support to government's

efforts to privatize

a number of non-strategic public corporations. Thus far, however, it ' has been

advertising abroad

with limited success.

Let us suggest that it

now consider the

course of first running audits of the

corporations to determine their assets and

liabilities. Thereafter, it should sell

shares to both

foreigners and Liberians, including the

employees of the corporations, with the

other shareholders

borrowing abroad

against the assets of

the corporation to

complete their purchase from the Government.

»LONG TERM

The short and mediumterm approaches to

accumulate external

reserves will buy

much-needed time. They

will enable a long

lasting and permanent

approach to get on

course: that is, the

Green Revolution, with

its prospects for

cash-crop production

and cut-backs on the

drain of reserves to

finance food imports,

particularly rice.

* EFFICIENCY IN THE

BUREAUCRACY

We are certain that

assistance from

friendly countries

will come only in direct proportion to a

demonstration of our

own political will to

make the hard decisions necessary to get

our house in order.

The Government bureaucracy is too large

and unwieldy. Inefficient and encumbered

by red tape, it has IT

79
ministries and more

than Ik autonomous

agencies engaged in

extensive duplication

of functions and overlapping responsibilities.

We can hardly pretend to be a serious

country when, for

example, at the Ministry of Finance, tax

payers must sometimes

spend days trying to

reach the Government's

cashiers. The Government itself is suffering from the weight of

its own bureaucracy

with the processing of

a voucher for office

stationery, for example, requiring no less

than 9 signatures from

at least three separate agencies.

In order for foreigners to go beyond

amused interest in our

intentions, we will

have to get our act

together. Why should

we expect,from abroad,

help with agricultural

production when the

Ministry of Agriculture is encouraging

private efforts while

the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been

advocating a communal

approach—with the

result being, the cultivation of dual

farms, one for the individual and the other

having no specific

owner? What belongs to

everybody, belongs to

nobody.

In the area of government services, the

battle for performance

of the procurement and

property control function is still not resolved. GSA continues

to insist that it has

this responsibility

by law but, in

practice, each agency

carries on its own

procurement and maintenance functions. In

the end, no one seems

*""> be able to say

e,. ictly what Government is consuming or

how Government property can be effectively

maintained.

The problem of the

duplication of function, must be addressed. Look at the function of Public Works

and rural Development:

according to the National Budget, the

objective of the Ministry of Public Works

is "to provide professional and technical

services to support

the' major program and

other agencies of Government in the field

of construction,"

whereas the objective

of the Ministry of Rural Development is

equally, "to provide

professional, technical and engineering

services needed for

the implementation of

programs undertaken by

the major program."

Agencies with related functions should

be amalgamated: Public

Works and Rural Development ; Labour and

Civil Service; Education and Youth '&

Sports, are good examples ._

As a cost-savir. \

measure, Governmen .

shoulc1 embark upon a

redeployment of labour

to the private sector

without entailing a

loss of income to

those who might be affected. Government

should spin-off services which can be

better performed by

the private sector

such as building maintenance, auto repairs,

mail deliveries, etc.

The manpower involved

should be organized

into private corporate

ventures whose services can then be contracted by both Government and the private sectors«

PUBLIC BUILDING-POLICY:

As at June 1, 1982,

the Government of Liberia had over 700

rented or leased buildings to house schools

hospitals and clinics,

offices, residences,

etc., costing more

than three million

dollars annually. The

General Services Agen-*»

cy is currently updating its records to access the level of increase. And there have

been increases.

The Government has

recognized the drain

its housing policy is

having on the national coffers, and it

is now embarked upon

80
the construction of

public buildings which

we trust will not become unduly ambitious.

We will provide encouragement for Government to continue

construction of public

buildings as a longterm cost-saving measure which equally

spurs employment and

enhances the physical

development of the

country. Whenever

possible, long term

soft loans should be

secured to build more

offices with programming at the same line

of current rental appropriations in the

budget to amortize the

loans.

* CODE OF CONDUCT

There are some men

in public service who

are sincere, dedicated

and honest. There are

others who have difficulty measuring up to

these high standards.

A few don"t even

bother to try; while

others become confused

when they seek to determine what is "acceptable" since, in

our society, a debate

ensues as to what,. in

fact, is the standard..

The following queries

may accentuate the

point:

1) Is there impropriety involved in

a cabinet Minister

employing his brother who is qualified for the job?

2) Is it acceptable

for a vehicle assigned to a high

government official to be used

for private family

matters or be borrowed for weddings, etc.?

3) May a Legislator,

who is a Counsellor-At-Law, enter

the court room to

practice law?

h) May a traffic

judge or an official of the National Police

Force own a taxi

cab?

5) May a government

official own a

private business

which seeks a contract from the

government?

Due to a lack of a

national concensus on

these and related

issues, a public official in our country

Could quite easily be

exposed to accusations

of conflict of interest, nepotism,misuse of public office

or corruption.Evidently a code of conduct

is necessary.

In the instance that

I am elected to the

Honourable Senate I

shall encourage the

prospect of a public

hearing on this issue

to establish the basis

from which appropriate

legislation may be

introduced.

Now, Ladies and

Gentlemen, we wish to

declare that the United People's Party

(UPP) is prepared to

cooperate with the

Government at achieving results consistent

with what we have advanced. It would

therefore follow that

were I elected Senator, I would act in

accordance with what

has now been declared

as the position of the

Party on the major national issues.

We thank you.

/9274

CSO: 34ÜÜ/304

81
PROBLEMS CONTINUE IN EDUCATION FIELD

Monrovia Teachers Association Suspended

Monrovia DAILY STAR in English 1 Dec 86 p 8

LIBERIA

[Text]

The Monrovia Consolidated School.

System Teachers Association (MCSSTA)

has been suspended by the National

Union of Liberia Teachers (MULT) "for

practicing new developments contrary

to NULT's policies and principles."

In a statement

issued to the

press over the

weekend, the KULT

Representative

Council said it

has given the

MCSSTA three alternatives to comply with, for the

lifting of the

suspension.

Among them, the

Representative

Council demands

that the MCSSTA

fully meet her

financial obligation to MULT and

agree to be governed by MULT.

MULT also said

that it wants the

MCSSTA to elect

a representative

government instead

of an interim leadership.

"Until those

conditions are

met, the MCSSA

will remain suspended as local

branch of N

;ULT,"

the statement

noted.

The decision to

have the MCSSTA

activities suspended emanated from

an ordinary session convened over

the weekend by

N'ULT for its representative council to address

itself to issues

affecting its

smooth operations

as a professional

organization.

The NULT Representative Council

observed at the

meeting that there

were strange developments in the

operations of NULT

in recent times

contrary to the

union's policies

and principles.

The statement

did not say what

were the developments, but noted

that the decision

to suspend the

MCSSTA was based

on the union's

conviction that

the MCSSTA "was

responsible for

said contradictory

developments.

It was not, however, disclosed

as to whether the

MCSSTA was represented at the NULT

Representative

Council meeting

where the decision

was reached, but

it is believed

that the interim

leadership may

address itself to

the issue later

today.

82
Teachers Strike for Fund Accountability

Monrovia DAILY STAR in English 2 Dec 86 pp 1, 7

[Article by Nathaniel Jallah]

[Text]

Thorn are reports that normal classroom activities have come to a standstill in Sinoe County, following a go

slew action by teachers in that county

in demand of an account for more than

$6,000 allegedly collected from them

by the local education authorities in

that county.

Reports reaching

this paper from

Greenville said

that the teachers

began their goslow action early

last week after

the Chief 'Kducation Officer in

that county,, Mr.

Irvin Koffa had

refused, to give

account tor the

amount.

According to our

correspondent, the

decision by the

teachers to lay

down their chalks

stemmed from a oneweek ultimatum

given the education authorities

:o turn the amount

over to the chairman of the financial committee of

the Sinoe

Teachers' Union,

Mr. Samuel A.

Ross, III, and the

treasurer of that

committee, Mrs.

Martha Johnson

Grigsby.

The November 21,

1986 issue of the

DAILY STAR ni

paper reported

that the teachers

had threatened a

'go-slow' if the

local education

authorities fail

to account for the

amount.

The threat was

reportedly made

by the teachers

who contended that

the compulsory

payment of $10.00

by each teacher in

the county for the

construction of

teacher guest

houses in Grand

Gedeh, Maryland,

Grand Kru and

Sinoe Counties,

could not be

accounted for.

But' the CEO

denied the teacher's allegation

and noted that

they (teachers)

were contradcting

themselves since,

the collection of

the funds was an

understanding

reached between

his office and the

teachers, through

a written directive by the Senior

Regional Officer

in Grand Gedeh

County, Mr. Johnson S. Walibo.

However, Mr.

Walibo told newsmen at the Ministry of Education

tint he had no

knowledge of

instructing the CEO

to collec funds

from the teachers.

In an effort to

ascertain the 'goslow' action by

the teachers, Mr.

Kofa told our correspondent that he

was not aware of

teachers laying

down their chalks,

but noted that he

heard rumours that

the teachers were

not attending

their normal

classes.

When reporters

visited the public

schools to chat

with the aggrieved

teachers, they

were taken by surprise when they

met the schools

closed, with, the

exception of the

Science Center at

the Sinoe High

School, where only

Peace Corps Volunteers were seen

carrying on their

duty without students.

As a result of

the 'go-slow',

hundreds of students from private

schools throughout

the county have

refused to attend

classes because

of threats from

their colleagues

to attack them,

if they are to

continue attending

classes.

Meanwhile, the

St. Joseph's

Catholic -' Junior

High School in

Greenville, has

expressed its dissatisfaction over

the continuous

disruption of

classes by public

schools and called

on the Ministry

of Education to do

ail it can in

finding a lasting

solution83
Islamic Teachers' Strike Demands Arrears

Monrovia DAILY STAR in English 5 Dec 86 pp 1, 7

[Article by Ephiriam Johns]

[Excerpt]

Teachers at the Islamic Training

Junior High School in Kakata, Margibi

County, have reportedly laid down

their chalks in demand of.five months

salary arrears and other working incentives.

According to the

teachers, the decision to lay down

their chalks was

reached due to the

failure by the

Board of Directors

of the school to

address itself to

the financial problems they are

The teachers who

claimed that they

have not been paid

since June this

year, said the

strike action was

necessary since

they could not get

redress from the

institution's

board of directors.

The teachers

also revealed that

.they were constrained to "stay

away from school

because the board

is allegedly using

the institution as

a "Credit Union"

by lending the

school's fund to

board members

for business transaction .

"As a result of

the unwholesome

practice, the

board found

lb difficult to

meet up with its

payroll, since

those who credited

the amount have

failed to pay the

amount," the teachers added.

When contacted,

the man who claimed to be the

Director of the

school and Iman,

Alhaji Vafie Korsia, said he had

no comment to

make.

For his part,

the Governor of

the Mandingo Community in Kakata,

Alhaji Lansana

Sheriff, said that

he is not a member

of the School

Board, neither is

he a part of the

institution. He

pointed out that

matters pertaining

to the school are

taken caro of by

its board and executive members.

/9274

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MADAGASCAR

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS STRIKE AGAINST MINISTERIAL REFORM DIRECTIVES

Paris THE INDIAN OCEAN NEWSLETTER in English 13 Dec 86 p 5

[Text] The atmosphere has been highly charged in the Malagasy capital for

the past few days, with numerous pamphlets being distributed, as the

students have hardened their attitude to government reforms. Led by the

Union Nationale des Associations Estudiantines de Madagascar, the students

of the university of Madagascar and other regional faculties are now firmly

resisting ministerial directives on "the reform and management of university

facilities." A demonstration was staged on December 9 in Antananarivo by

students accusing the government of opting for an elitist system which

takes no account of their living conditions. In meeting after meeting the

students have tried to convince the authorities, but without result. Faced

with the indifference of the government, which plays down their grievances

and their power, the students have begun a strike until the measures are

definitively withdrawn.

The president of the MRVM, the student group affiliated to the VONJY party

of Marojama Razanabahiny, has spoken in support of the strike. Previously

the parties in the Front National de Defense de la Revolution had refrained

from taking a stance on the student problem.

The MAREMA student movement linked to President Didier Ratsiraka's party,

the AREMA, is also paying lip service to the principle of the strike, while

hoping to take control of the protest movement which is now threatening to

spread to the provinces. Ignace Rakoto, the minister for higher education,

spoke recently in Fianarantsoa, where he was unable to convince his audience.

The faculty of Tulear remains under pressure (see ION No 247).

Meanwhile Celine Ratsiraka, the president's wife, condemned the student

unrest last weekend, blaming it on "professional students." Antananarivo's

inhabitants, still shocked by the "kung-fu massacre" last August when the

army assaulted the headquarters of martial arts practitioners, are reluctant

to show open approval for the students' strikes. The protest movement was

unaffected by a report in the daily Madagascar-Matin to the effect that the

government would be prepared to postpone some of the measures that are being

contested.

/9317

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MADAGASCAR

BRIEFS

FAMINE IN SOUTH CONFIRMED—The pro-government daily paper, MadagascarMatin, mentioned for the first time on December 2 the fact that famine

was prevalent in the Androy region of south-east Madagascar, in delayed

confirmation of The Indian Ocean Newsletter report of November 8

(ION No 255). The newspaper, which is usually uncritical of government

policy, commented that "the offence of non-assistance to a region in danger

is currently being committed in the south." [Text] [Paris THE INDIAN OCEAN

NEWSLETTER in English 13 Dec 86 p 7] /9317

BUDGET INCREASED—To general surprise, Madagascar's draft finance law shows

a rise in the budget of 53 percent in relation to 1986, with operating

expenses put at 326.5 billion Malagasy francs compared to 218.8 billion

last year. Planned capital expenditure is up 53 percent from 77 billion

Malagasy francs to 118.2 billion. These rises are to the advantage of the

health services (up 32.3 percent), primary and secondary education (up 15

percent), defence (up 11 percent) and higher education (up 11 percent).

Another feature of the budget is the downward revision of between 10 and

15 percent, in the level of company profit tax, which currently stands at

45 percent. In spite of this measure, the budget envisages additional tax

revenue of 77.3 billion Malagasy francs. [Text] [Paris THE INDIAN OCEAN

NEWSLETTER in English 13 Dec 86 p 7] /9317

CSO: 3400/759

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MAURITIUS

BRIEFS

LIBYAN ASSETS TO BE FREED—The Mauritian government has decided to release

all the Libyan assets in the country which have been frozen since the

expulsion in January 1984 of Tripoli's diplomats from Port Louis, the

weekly publication Week-End has reported. The amount involved is said to

come to a total of seven million rupees. If this report is correct, the

move could be followed by the return of Libyan diplomats to Mauritius.

A pressure group is said to be busy trying to persuade prime minister

Anerood Jugnauth to agree to resume relations with Tripoli. The Indian

Ocean Newsletter reported in its October 18 issue (ION No 252) the appointment of Eshan Khodabux, the leading defender of Libyan interests in the

island, as editor of the Defi, a pro-government mewspaper close to finance

minister Vishnu Lutchmeenaraidoo. It is he who reportedly is the source of

Week-End's report. [Text] [Paris THE INDIAN OCEAN NEWSLETTER in English

13 Dec 86 p 2] /93J17

CSO: 3400/759

87
MOZAMBIQUE

NATION'S EVOLVING RELATIONS WITH U.S. ANALYZED

Lisbon AFRICA in Portuguese 26 Nov 86 pp 4,6

CArticle by Sigawule Muyendzi]

[Text] "It is the hour of the Americans." (Caption accompanying a photograph

of "country and western" musicians in the newspaper DOMINGO, from Maputo in

November 1984)

Until about 5 years ago, the United States was viewed by the government-inspired

Mozambican press as the most dangerous imperialist enemy. This image was deliberately emphasized in the celebrated presentation to the local and international

press of some Mozambicans who had been corrupted by the "CIA's espionage network

in Maputo." Given a staging that was lamentably flawed—because of the "patriotid' excesses of the accuser (a young man who was certainly an aficionado of

American spy movies), compared to which excesses the calm statement of one of

the "traitors" (Chissano's right hand man in the Foreign Affairs Ministry) seemed

positively noble—the exasperated information minister, Jose Luis Cabaco, ended

the press conference with a noisy thump of his fist on the table, after choleric

accusations against the United States. Three years later, in 1984, the "traitor"

had been given amnesty and Cabaco was showing up, smiling warmly and broadly,

in photographs taken at the U.S. Embassy.

It may be much too soon to conclude from thiss that there have been profound

changes in the positions of the two countries. There is no doubt, however, that

1984 emerges as the "pivotal year" for Mozambican politics and thus in its

relations with the Americans. It need only be noted that this was a year of

important events, which were certainly related» in March, Samora signed the

N'Komati Accord (to which the Americans contributed as intermediaries); in April,

banker David Rockefeller visited Maputo and was received by Samora (while the

local press was justifying the capitalist investments, NOVOSTI was publishing an

article in which it accepted the "concessions in a transition period"); shortly

thereafter, a delegation arrived, comprising 31 banking officials and technicians

of the "World Affairs Council of Northern California"; Interior Minister Guebuza,

considered pro-Soviet, was dismissed; Frank Wisner, deputy assistant secretarycf äate

for African affairs, prepared to visit Maputo as part of his plan of "constructive engagement"; the president of the Maputo Chamber of Commerce visited the

United States; in August, as a result of insistent public criticism, the USSR

explained the "advantages" of its cooperation with the Mozambicans, in an article

88
paid for and identified as "publicity" in the local newspapers; in September,

Mozambique went to the IMF; the following month, for the first time, FRELIMO

and RENAMO publicly entered into negotiations, in Pretoria, and Samora paid

his first visit to Malawi.

Ambiguity

It is obvious that the economic crisis and the war were the primary "incentives"

for this whole series of events. The rapprochement was peaking in 1985, when

the U.S. administration was arranging $1.15 million in military aid to Mozambique; although this measure was thwarted by the unacceptable demands of the

House of Representatives (drastic reduction of the number of Soviet and Cuban

advisors), the United States succeeded in opening an important breach in the

"iron curtain" of FRELIMO propaganda. From then on, the U.S. contributions

began to be duly publicized in the local press. The Mozambicans "discovered"

that, even in 1983 and 1984, Mozambique was the African country which had

received the most aid from the United States; that in the last 3 years the

United States had been the largest donor; that this aid, to the tune of about

$58 million per year ($45 million in drought relief and $13 million for development), had equalled that of the Scandinavian countries (FRELIMO's oldest and

most faithful friends) and the USSR (basically military aid) combined. The

"reactionary Reagan, whom the residents of Nampula had already been calling the

"president who sends us 'jeans' with dollars in the pockets" (actually, used

clothing in which, occasionally, the "rich" Americans overlook some folding

money), came to be considered a political leader with whom dialogue is

possible and, in September 1985, Samora went to the United Syates. Some months

before, the front page of NOTICIAS featured a large photograph of a smiling

President Machel, shaking hands with Melvin Laird, former U.S. secretary of

defense. However, the caption saidi "We are nonalgined; we desire socialism."

This language, at times indecipherable, was simply the mark of the duplicity

which has ruled relations between the two governments up to now. We have

already seen how Reagan proposed military aid and how the House of Representatives

denied it. We have also seen how the American administration preached "constructive engagement" and how it was supporting "apartheid"; how it provides

emergency aid, but voices reservations; for example, Congressman Howard Philips

observed that "the only sign of pro-Western leanings on Mozambique's part is

that they are prepared to accept money from the United States." Still, the

donations have continued, with regularity. The visits by delegations have also

intensified, albeit without immediate practical results (i.e., investments).

There have been certain signs of the persisting mistrust and, primarily, ambiguity, which has taken on curious aspects.

Case of the Sovereign [_sic] Order of the Knights of Malta

Let us look at just one example. In September 1985, the Sovereign Order of the

Knights of Malta, donated, through the Portuguese-American Association, a

quantity of clothing, medicines and food, valued at $20 million, A year later,

20 containers, valued at $5 million, were shipped to Niassa. Well, this Order

is a philanthropic organization of the American far Right and its leadership

includes such political figures as William Casey (former CIA) and Alexander

Haig (former Secretary of state), religious conservatives such as Cardinal

J. O'Connor (New York) and Cardinal F. Law (Boston) and even such fascist

89
adventurers as Roy Conn (who was once hatchet man for the infamous Senator

Mc Carthy). Its current "patron" and Maecenas is multimillionaire Lewis

Lehrman, who is a supporter of American intervention in Central America and who

has already been photographed at Savimbi's side in Jamba. He collaborates with

the Air Commando [Association and] SOLDIER OF FORTUNE magazine, known to be

associated with mercenaries, and he founded Americares, whose advisory council

includes a brother of Vice President George Bush. We do not know if Americares

is related to CARE-Mozambique, but it is public knowledge that this last organization is coordinating the logistics of the Department of Disaster Prevention

in Mozambique from 1984 to 1988. Although Americares is very discreet in its

giving (only $7 million from 1984 to 1986), it owns very powerful radio transmitters and receivers, whose huge antennae are rivaled only by those of the

Embassy of the USSR, which, ironically, is located a few meters away from the

CARE headquarters.

Lehrman is on the council of the Heritage Foundation, RENAMO's principal support

in the United States.

It is also strange that the walls of his offices are decorated with "geological"

maps of Mozambique, made in the United States, of course.

Here Come the Americans

The non-governmental organizations (ONG) are beginning to swarm Maputo. They

include USAID, "Hope for Africa," the "USA for Africa," "Our Developing World,"

etc.. If we add to these the constant presence of the American Embassy, the

IMF, the World Bank and ESSO (which, some sources say, has already hired an

American colonel—a Rambo?— to train Mozambican troops), General Motors

(lauded by Enear Comiche, governor of the Bank of Mozambique, for its integrity),

ITT, General Electric and so on, the picture becomes clearer. The once subversive

Voice of America is even announcing its Mozambican programming in the newspaper

N0T1CIAS! All this demonstrates a sincere American interest in belying the much

proclaimed indifference of a few years ago. There is further evidence of this

interest. The United States has been Mozambique's second largest customer since

1976, close behind the USSR and ahead of the GDR. Whereas, in 1973, the United

States accounted for only 13.6 percent of the purchases from the Portuguese

colony of Mozambique (Portugal stood first, with 35.6 percent), in 1979 the

U.S. purchases amounted to 23.5 percent, more than the EEC countries combined

(22.9 percent) and almost twice as much as Portugal (14.6 percent). Reagan

has already offered $500 million of the $700 million needed for the Beira Corridor. Decidedly, the United States is wagering on Mozambique. Some might say

the Americans were hoping that the young country was on its knees, the better to

impose their conditions. In fact, one of these conditions is known. American

aid must be channeled to private farmers, and is not to be extended to state

farms or cooperatives. American imperialism was even more"provocative" when,

at the last FACIM [Maputo International Trade Fair], its pavillion propagandized

the mythical "self-made man," giving Mozambicans "with initiative" (an expression

much used by the capitalists, which has now been adopted by the Mozambican

press) the expectation that anyone can get rich by putting good little ideas to

work.

The recent loss of Saraora does not appear to alter the development of the situation, although it was accompanied by the disappearance of some other names that

90
could also have had something to do with this rapprochement. Aquino de

Braganca used to tell me that one trip to the United States is worth more than

10 trips to China; Fernando Honwana was in the United States this year, garnering

sympathy and support for the Beira Corridor; Lobo, vice minister of foreign

affairs, attended an American university and was ambassador to the United

Nations for almost 10 years. The fact is that Chissano seems to be an individual

in whom the American administration has trust. NEWSWEEK reported that the

Americans' preference for Chissano»s then potential presidency was so enthusiastic that they wanted to conceal it, fearing that it could be the "kiss of death"

for Chissano*s chances to succeed Samora.

Cultural Omnipresence

Last, but certainly not least, we must bear in mind the cultural aspects which,

to us, are the most important political trump card. It is known how the

Americans are appreciated (envied) in Mozambique. Culturally acclimatized by the

colonial process, in which Portugal's position as a Western country was unquestioned, and by the proximity of South Africa, whose culture is, superficially,

"made in the U.S.A.," the young Mozambicans in the cities—and not only in the

cities—continue to prefer American movies and American television serials

("Fame," for example) and to go crazy for "Adidas" sneakers and "jeans."

Yet, are the Mozambicans at fault when the best modern music is American, but

with predominantly black roots? The "lure of the West," more precisely, tne

"Far West," is irrepressible and irreversible. This whole attraction is

expressed in the confession of the Mozambican poet Patraquim, told, one imagines,

to the Russian Maiakovskit "I suffer the swinging style of that gang, chewm

gum' to complete the get-up of sneakers, jeans and T-shirt, because I know this

is not good (...)" Then...

At Stake

The conclusion—hasty, to our mind—could be as follows! from all indications,

sooner or later, the regime will abandon socialism and turn to capitalism; it

will break with the USSR and ally with the United States. This interpretation

would disregard several important aspects, such as. the FRELIMO power structure;

the situation in southern Africa; the "socialist" penetration among the military

and other beneficiaries of scholarships from the university, the party and the

companies; the sincere nationalism of the top leaders and even the genuine

Marxism of some of them.... It is more legitimate to conclude that the American,

capitalist and imperialist penetration is undoubtedly owing to the state of

weakness (growing? temporary?) of the party-state and that at the center of this

development there rises, once again, the issue of 20 years ago, of 11 years ago.

the conquest of the independence of the Mozambican nation!

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MOZAMBIQUE

VISITING SOVIET LABOR DELEGATION HEAD SPEAKS

Maputo NOTICIAS in Portuguese 19 Dec 86 p 2

[Text] Anatoliy Surovtsev, secretary of the Central Committee of the

Construction and Construction Industry Workers' Trade Unions in the Soviet

Union, said last Wednesday in Maputo that the struggle the Mozambican workers

are waging for economic freedom and against the armed bandits in the pay of

the Pretoria racists will continue to receive firm and solid support from the

trade unionists in his country. This official spoke to our reporters just

moments before leaving Maputo to return to his country. He was concluding a 1

week visit to Mozambique within the framework of the cooperative relations

existing between the trade union organizations in the two countries.

Speaking about his visit to our country, Anatoliy Surovtsev, who also heads

the construction industry trade unions in his country, expressed his

satisfaction with the results achieved during his trip, because, he said, his

delegation had an opportunity to see how the Mozambican workers, particularly

those in the construction sector, with whom he had direct contact, are

dedicated to the construction of projects and at the same time the defense of

their labor sites.

"During our stay we made contact both with trade union structures and with

workers in the construction branch in Maputo. We were impressed by the level

and scope of the drainage projects in Maputo, the artistic level of the

furnishings in the bottle factory, and it was also interesting for us to hear

the workers themselves tell about the difficulties in their daily work. This

will make our support of the sector easier, especially with regard to problems

resulting from the shortage of labor tools and protective gear," Anatoliy

Surovtsev said.

This visit, which is the second the head of the Soviet trade union delegation

has paid us, had as its purpose the development of friendship and talks with

the unions in Mozambique, which will promote the deepening of the cooperative

relations existing between the trade union organizations in the two countries.

Concerning the results achieved, although no agreements have as yet been

signed, as this was not on the agenda for the visit, this official said they

were profitable, because apart from the trade union sector, the welcome his

92
delegation was given "confirms once again the firm friendship existing

between the Soviet and Mozambican peoples, as well as between the governments

of the two countries," he said.

Asked to speak about the prospects for cooperation between his trade union and

the construction workers' union which is to be created in our country shortly,

Anatoliy Surovtsev said he hopes that the two unions will have very strong

relations, and as soon as the new union is established, the two structures

will define the guidelines for cooperation. As an example of this

collaboration, he mentioned the training of Mozambican trade union cadres in

his country.

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MOZAMBIQUE

BILATERAL RELATIONS PRAISED BY PRC AMBASSADOR

Maputo NOTICIAS in Portuguese 17 Dec 86 p 3

[Text] "The people of Mozambique will win!" This was how Zhang Baosheng,

ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of

China, concluded the statement he made to NOTICIAS in Maputo about the

situation in southern Africa and the relations between the Chinese nation and

the People's Republic of Mozambique.

In his statement, Zhang Baosheng said:

"At a time when the year 1986 is just ending and 1987 is about to begin, I

would like to take the opportunity to greet the people of Mozambique and to

congratulate them for the heroic struggle and arduous efforts they have put

forth in this year just ending, and to wish them new and greater successes in

the year to come.

The relations between China and Mozambique are characterized by their lasting

nature and profound friendship. They were forged during the lengthy common

struggle against imperialism and colonialism. As the leaders of Mozambique

have said, the people of Mozambique and the people of China are both brothers

and comrades in arms.

This is a friendship to which the leaders of our two countries have devoted

great attention and love.

President Samora Machel visited China five times, and President Chissano has

been to China on two occasions.

Chinese leaders on various levels have visited Mozambique, one after the

other, and this has contributed greatly to the friendship and cooperation

existing between the two peoples.

I am certain that the tree of friendship planted and watered by the SinoMozambican leaders will take root and will grow ever stronger.

It is easy for China and Mozambique to understand and sympathize with each

other, because they are both developing countries. In the process of their

revolution and construction effort, the Chinese people have always had the

94
encouragement and support of the people of Mozambique, while the Chinese

people have always stood by the Mozambicans, providing them with everything

within they could to contribute to and cooperate in their struggle and

construction effort.

China established diplomatic relations with Mozambique as soon as it

proclaimed its independence. Since then, the two countries have engaged in

broad and effective cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and

health sectors, as well as others, and the economic cooperation between the

two countries and their projects have been closely linked with the daily life

of the Mozambican people.

The following are the norms to which China adheres in developing its economic

relations with the countries of the Third World:

—Mutual support and respect.

—Mutual and complementary equality and benefits.

—Joint progress.

I believe that the cooperation between China and Mozambique is becoming ever

broader, and the friendship between the two parties, governments and peoples

is consolidating and developing constantly.

In the past as in the present and future, it has always been one of the basic

policies of the Chinese government to strengthen unity and cooperation with

African countries and to support the just struggles these peoples are waging.

The government and the people of China are closely following the development

of the situation in southern Africa, and they firmly support the Namibian

people in their struggle for national independence, as well as the struggles

of the peoples in this region against apartheid. This is because these

struggles are inseparable from those the peoples of various other countries

have undertaken in defense of peace and justice.

The Chinese people forcefully condemn the South African authorities for their

stubborn persistence in racist domination, their bloody repression of the

black population in South Africa and their unscrupulous aggression against and

efforts to destabilize neighboring countries. The Chinese people resolutely

support real sanctions against South Africa.

The young People's Republic of Mozambique, which has contributed and is

continuing to contribute to the just struggles of the peoples of southern

Africa, is one of the Front Line countries.

The aggression against and destabilization of Mozambique have been such as to

reveal the firmness and clarity of the position of its people with regard to

the racist South African regime.

It was in this struggle that President Samora Machel fell. His tragic death

had a great impact, and the presence of such numerous foreign delegations at

95
the funeral ceremonies revealed not only the prestige and importance which

President Samora Machel enjoyed internationally, but also offered proof that

the People's Republic of Mozambique ranks high in the world and that the

struggle of the Mozambican people has the support and sympathy of all other

peoples.

I am convinced that under the leadership of the FRELIMO Party and President

Joaquim Chissano, the people of Mozambique will overcome the temporary

difficulties they encounter along the path of progress, and that they will win

new and more grandiose victories in their struggle to safeguard independence,

sovereignty and security and in their effort to revive the economy, provided

that they join closely together, persist in the struggle and consistently

synthesize their experience.

The people of Mozambique will triumph!"

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MOZAMBIQUE

PRIME MINISTER VISITS PEQUENOS LIBOMBOS DAM SITE

Maputo NOTICIAS In Portuguese 19 Dec 86 p 2

[Article by Almlro Santos]

[Text] The filling of the reservoir at the Pequenos Libombos Dam in the

district of Boane in Maputo began yesterday, after the provisional openings in

the dam wail, through which the Umbeluzi River flow passed, were blocked.

Prime Minister Mario da Graca Machungo was present for the closing of the last

two openings. He arrived at-the site at about 10:30 am, being accompanied by

Minister of Construction and Water Resources Julio Carrilho, Minister of

Agriculture Joao Ferreira, Minister of Finance Abdul Magid and Maputo Province

Governor Jose Moiane.

The delegation accompanying Prime Minister Mario Machungo also included other

party and government officials, as well as the Mozambican ambassadors

accredited to China and the United Nations. The delegation headed by Mario

Machungo arrived at about 10:30 am in a helicopter, which landed in a field

near the dam project site.

On his arrival, Mario Machungo was welcomed by Engs Rogerio White, project

director, and Altenor Pereira, as well as other officials, including the

Maputo water resources director.

The importance of closing the openings through which the Umbeluzi River flow

passed was explained by Eng Rogerio White. He said that this was a part of a

previously drafted program which will result in the filling of the Pequenos

Libombos dam reservoir in a period of time which will depend on the rainfall.

The filling of the dam reservoir will make it possible to store water and to

regulate the flow of the Umbeluzi River, which varies, depending basically on

the rainy seasons.

According to the explanation provided to Prime Minister Mario Machungo, the

blocking of the openings will bring the water up to a determined level. There

are to be two lateral filters through which it will pass.

The desired level will be reached, according to estimates made yesterday

morning, in about 11 days. However, Eng Rogerio White stressed, that level

97
may be reached in 10 days, or even just 2, since this depends heavily on

whether a great deal of rain or just a little falls.

As a concrete example of this phenomenon, Eng Rogerio White explained that

during the tropical storm Domoina, the river flow was so great that, under

present circumstances, it would only take 2 days to reach the water level

planned.

With the containment of the Umbeluzi River, the filling of the Pequenos

Libombos Dam reservoir will begin. Its importance in terms of water resources

has to do with the need to control the water so that it can be rationed during

the dry season.

On the other hand, with the flooding of nearly 38 square kilometers, this

undertaking will prove very useful, both economically and socially, because in

addition to the energy which will be provided in the region (only in the

district of Boane), this undertaking will allow for the irrigation of about

14,000 adjacent hectares.

But as Eng Altenor Pereira said, this is only one of a series of projects on

the basis of which a great contribution will be made to improving the water

supply serving the city of Maputo.

Thus the system presently supplying the city of Maputo with water will

benefit, beginning early in the second half of next year, from double the

volume, in terms of the quota established to date. This means that the water

pipes in the city of Maputo will have to be strengthened or replaced. This is

a project which, officials affiliated with the sector say, has already been

begun. Work is being done currently on the basis of the new requirements.

In addition to this, the storage of water in the dam reservoir will provide an

available supply for any future period of drought. On this basis, the city of

Maputo could be supplied with water for a period of 3 years without rainfall.

Eng Rogerio White said that the water stored in the Pequenos Libombos Dam

reservoir could provide a 2-year supply. This would mean that in order to

flood the entire reservoir area as is planned, it will be necessary to wait

about 2 years. However, he said, the time required will depend on the volume

of the river's flow, and that in turn depends on the intensity of the rainfall

which occurs.

Another process being carried forward, parallel with the plan for storing

water at the dam, is the double system based on the processing at the

Treatment and Pumping Station, so as to establish a system of response to the

subsequent volume of the Umbeluzi River.

In addition to these various advantages of the dam reservoir, there is a

similar one pertaining to control of the water resources in the district of

Boane, the benefits of which will extend to the city of Maputo, with the

increase and greater extension of water distribution, as already mentioned

above.

98
An Enduring Product

Prime Minister Mario Machungo, accompanied by the officials from the various

ministerial offices represented there, was present for the closing of two of

the three temporary openings in the Pequenos Libombos Dam wall.

The openings, three in all, permitted the water of the Umbeluzi River to pass

through. One of them was closed on the day preceding Prime Minister Mario

Machungo's arrival.The---«-losing of i;he last openingr took place at about 11:30

am yesterday, when a plate 10 centimeters thick and about 5 meters high was

put in place on the lower body of the dam.

The placement of the first plate was witnessed by the prime minister from the

side of the reservoir, while the second p was put in place after Mario

Machungo had proceeded to one of the internal platforms in the dam, from which

an overall view of the Umbeluzi River, on the side where the river flow was

blocked, was possible.

Mario Machungo was present for the placement of the plates, and thus he was a

witness to the mastery of the operators who, from the highest platform on the

dam, proceeded to put the plates in question over the openings, located about

40 meters from the position occupied by the crane operators.

The prime minister then toasted the beginning of the first phase of the

filling of the reservoir, together with the dam technicians and workers. This

can be regarded as an event wwhich will have a great economic and social

impact on the economic recovery of our country.

This project can be viewed as one of the leading sources of pride for the

people of Mozambique, both because of its importance and because of the

grandiose nature of this concrete giant.

The Third Congress of the FRELIMO Party approved the construction of the

Pequenos Libombos Dam, and work was begun in 1983. The list of expected

benefits was the basis of the hope that this project would improve the current

water supply for the city of Maputo, as well as providing other expected

social advantages, above all where the regional energy supply is concerned.

Possible Restrictions

Logically, keeping these three openings closed until the level 20 is reached

will mean that water will not reach the Umbeluzi Treatment and Pumping

Station. This may lead to various situations requiring limitations on the

normal processing and distribution of water to the city of Maputo or, in the

worst of cases, a possible cut in the supply of water to the Umbeluzi

Treatment Station. This might in turn mean that the city of Maputo would be

without water for the time it takes for the water to reach the planned level.

It was learned from certain officials in the water resources sector, for

example, that a water-pumping system will be used at the dam for as long as it

takes to reach the level referred to above.

99
This plan will make it possible to supply at least 1 cubic meter of water per

second to the Umbeluzi Treatment Station. A source at that station said that

this volume of water, together with what is already en route from the dam to

the station, will provide enough volume so that the possibility of cutting the

normal distribution of water is not contemplated. However, this assessment

does not mean that there might not be minor limitations, that source said.

But if in fact there are minor reductions in the quotas of water supplied to

the city of Maputo, they will not be such as to justify great concern, again

according to the source at the Umbeluzi Water Treatment Station.

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100
MOZAMBIQUE

FISHING POTENTIAL OF INHAMBANE PROVINCE ANALYZED

Scarcity of Fish in Markets

Maputo NOTICIAS in Portuguese 16 Dec 86 p 3

[Article by Custodio Inacio]

[Text] Not infrequently residents (and visitors) wonder about the shortage

of fish in the city of Inhambane (meaning the markets), since this province,

from the north to the south, has an enviable maritime coast suited to the

production of the most varied types of shellfish. This question would even be

asked by one unfamiliar with the famous redfish, skate, jackfish, mackerel and

many other varieties which Inhambane prided itself on producing, consuming,

and why not, naturally, exporting, not so many years ago.

Today when one visits any market in the cities of Inhambane and Maxixe,

although the situation in the latter is in some ways different, what is

consistently available is the little fish caught in the bay. Even these

little fish, which not so long ago were the famous extra (an expression of

thanks) added in for the expenditure made, are now the focus of greater

attention. And, logically, the stalls selling them are the scene of great

disputes, pushing and shoving and perhaps the most heated discussions. "Where

there is hunger, everyone talks and no one is right," according to the

proverb.

The lucky person who eats fish from the high seas or even the so-called little

fish at least once a month achieves this in one of two ways. Either he is a

fisherman or his near relatives are, or he deals on the black market, where

cigarettes, sugar, soap, batteries and other scarce items are used instead of

meticals to buy fish. Another common practice is the exchange of bumper or

"sheik" fish for the priority right to buy mackerel or another prime species

of fish.

Fishermen complain of a shortage of supplies, and efforts have been and are

being made to guarantee them the minimum necessary, just like other ordinary

citizens receive. They are demanding fishing equipment, and as far as we

know, as compared to earlier periods, they are being provided with some

equipment so that they can work the seas. Only if it were necessary to make

comparisons of the consumption of goods of first necessity by the fishermen

101
and their fishing catches, a tremendous headache would be created by the gap

between their consumption, which is high, and their production, which is

extremely low.

But our real purpose here is not to make comparisons. It is something else,

perhaps a far cry from the production factor as such.

From the winning of independence to the present, the province of Inhambane has

incomprehensibly grown accustomed to consuming imported fish—bumper and sheik

fish (better known as Pedro Bene).

Very recently, between 20 and 22 November last, the Second Provincial Seminar

on Fishing was held in the seat of the district of Inhassoro (the largest

fishing center in the province). Its working agenda included an analysis of

the reality in the fishing sector.

Incredible as it may seem, the participants in the seminar saw with their own

eyes what a local fisherman called a "lucky day," when he caught in his

trawler net no more and no less than a ton and a half of fish in a period of

approximately 4 hours. A ton and a half!

And it is here that the problem begins. The people on the Inhassoro coast are

almost all fishermen, and thus they rarely allow themselves the luxury of

buying shellfish. The result is that after the minor purchases made,

basically by government employees, the balance (obviously a large quantity) is

cleaned, salted and dried. This ton and a half does not include, moreover,

the quantity which the divers took from Bazaruto. Thus the citizens of

Inhambane and Maxixe wage frightening battles for the 400 kilograms which Mr

Martins delivers regularly, 60 percent of which must be turned over to the

PESCOM for the heavy consumers, such as the hospitals, nursery schools and

other institutions. - -

A high-ranking party and government official in Inhambane and I myself, why

not, were incredibly surprised by what we saw. Another official told me in

confidence that in many cases, our people are not dying because of the

drought. Although he admitted that this scourge does play its role, the truth

is that we are dying because of ignorance.

In Inhassoro there are about half a dozen fishermen who use mechanical

trawling equipment, and one can imagine how much fish would be caught by the

end of 2 weeks with an average of 3 tons per day. The total would be nothing

less than 180 tons of fish for Inhassoro alone.

If the PESCOM refrigerator truck were to bring us the "high-seas" fish from

Inhassoro instead of the "sheik" fish from the city of Maputo, who would gain

by this and how much?

I might venture that if foreign exchange were not spared, if at least the

quota for the city of Maputo and on the other hand, Inhambane, were increased,

the whole area would again be able to consume the "high-class" fish which are

plentiful along the approximately 700 kilometers of coastline in the

provincial territory.

102
The Second Provincial Seminar on Fishing examined the question, and in due

course made the proper recommendations. If they are implemented, we will

again have the famous "dividend" of little fish, very tasty for a small snack,

moreover, and not that alone.

Fishermens' Meeting Seeks Solution

Maputo NOTICIAS in Portuguese 16 Dec 86 p 3

[Text] Traditional and semi-industrial fishermen and many other individuals

involved in fishing work met between 20 and 22 November last at the district

seat of Inhassoro (the largest fishing center in the province) in what was

regarded as an unequaled opportunity, at least in the province of Inhambane,

for taking up, among many other things, an assessment of the work done since

the first meeting of this sort held in 1983.

The Second Provincial Seminar on Fishing in Inhambane, at which Governor Jose

Pascoal Zandamela presided and which was attended by Secretary of State for

Fishing Tenreiro de Almeida, was in the opinion of the fishermen themselves a

suitable occasion for evaluating the real capacity of this zone of the

country, as well as the willingness of the "men of the sea" to contribute to

the battle against hunger, the result of the drought which is continuing to

take lives.

Another purpose of the gathering was to plan the future of the fishing branch

in the province within the context of the 3-year plan, the general guidelines

of which had been previously approved at a government session. The fishing

sector was deemed to be one of the few viable alternatives for dealing with

the food shortages, basically in the interior, caused by the lack of rainfall.

The Second Provincial Seminar on Fishing in Inhambane also assessed the

preparations for the establishment next year of the first fishing combine in

the history of this part of the country.

The analysis of the activities carried out since 1983 indicated that one of

the problems hindering the productive development of the semi-industrial

sector in the fishing industry was, and to a certain extent continues to be,

the shortage of bait and ice (both in the specific case of the city of

Inhambane) and the lack of repair shops for ships' engines, skilled

technicians for shipbuilding and transport facilities for shipping fuels,

particularly where the districts of Inhassoro and Vilanculo are concerned.

In the traditional sector, the difficulties in the past 3 years have had to do

with inadequate supplies of fishing equipment and materials and goods of first

necessity required by the fishermen, as well as the fact that Inhambane Bay

has been impoverished in terms of marine life, due in the opinion of the

participants in the seminar to the lack of a conservation period, although

there was no confirmation of this from the Fishing Research Institute.

The low level of the volume of fish supplied to cities and towns, as well as

the interior, in the 3 years which have passed since 1983 was also due to the

103
diversion of large quantities of fish to markets in the province of Manica and

Sof ala, instead of its being sold in the province. This was in violation of

the existing interprovincial agreements.

When this whole range of issues hindering the development of fishing

production and thus the improvement of supplies to the people had been

analyzed, the Second Provincial Seminar recommended that the provincial

government direct the provincial representatives of the PESCOM to increase the

capacity to produce ice, such as to meet the demand. It also recommended that

a study be made of the possibility of establishing a workshop for the repair

and maintenance of the engines of shallow, average and deep-draft vessels.

Other recommendations made by the seminar had to do with the need to hire

skilled Mozambican personnel for shipbuilding at the Inhambane (city) and

Vilanculo shipyards, to strengthen the transport facilities of the PESCOM

for the shipping of fuels and for its internal functioning, and also to

increase the quantities of fishing equipment and materials to be purchased.

The Second Provincial Seminar on Fishing in Inhambane proposed that the

granting of new fishing licenses for Inhambane Bay be suspended until the

investigation planned by the Fishing Research Institute is completed, and it

entrusted the production of bait for the city of Inhambane to the fishing

centers in Vilanculo, Inhassoro and Bazaruto.

The conclusion of the Second Provincial Seminar on Fishing in Inhambane was

marked by the holding of a popular gathering in the Inhassoro district seat,

at which the governor of Inhambane reported on the results of the meeting.

Inhambane Governor Jose Pascoal Zandamela appealed for a joint effort in

fishing and farm production in order to achieve economic independence. In

connection with farm production, he also stressed the importance of raising

cotton to combat the clothing shortage.

Production Increase Planned for 1987-89

Maputo NOTICIAS in Portuguese 16 Dec 83 p 3

[Text] During the 3 years between 1987 and 1989, the fishing centers in the

province of Inhambane are expected to produce 20,636 tons of fish at a

minimum, representing an increase of about 90 percent over the production

figure planned for next year.

This production quota for the next 3 fishing years was established at the

Second Provincial Seminar on Fishing in Inhambane, which approved the general

guidelines for the 3-year plan for the development of fishing activities in

this part of the country. The 3-year plan makes it clear that the immediate

goal to be achieved is to guarantee a minimum of 20 kilograms of fish per

person during 1987, particularly for the urban zones, towns and the interior

of the province.

The general directives for the 3-year plan for the development of fishing

activities in the province call for the production of about 1,500 tons of fish

104
next year for the cities of Inhambane and Maxixe alone, with the largest

production quota being assigned the district of Inhassoro, which is to produce

1,160 tons of fish.

The guidelines submitted and approved at the conclusion of the Second

Provincial Seminar on Fishing in Inhambane make it clear that to achieve the

goals established, it is necessary to improve the organization of the main

fishing centers with a view to a rapid increase in production and

productivity. In fact, the fishing centers in Vilanculo, Inhambane, Inhassoro

and Nova-Mambone will have priority next year for supplies of fishing

equipment and materials, as well as the indispensable fuel.

The level of fish supplied must reach 20 percent of the supplementary products

needed in the zones in the interior, where the population total is close to

235,000. To this end, according to the directives, the fishing centers in

Vilanculo and Nova-Mambone must contribute 90 tons of dried fish, while the

other districts and towns situated along the coast or with a fishing potential

because of lakes and rivers must channel their efforts toward guaranteeing a

minimum consumption of 20 kilograms per person.

The general directives for the 3-year plan for the development of fishing

activities in the province of Inhambane also provide that in 1988, the levels

of production and supply must, increase by a minimum of 15 percent, taking into

account the greater effort to be made by the provincial government through the

fishing combine being planned and with the support of the Secretariat of State

for Fishing.

In seeking solutions to the problems currently facing the fishing sector in

the province, and within the new foreign-exchange management policy, these

directives provide that the actions planned for the next 3 years must take

into account the need gradually to promote the export of fishing products,

including spiny lobster, shark fin, crab, and sea cucumber, among other

things, in a first phase.

To this end, the efforts to achieve the goal will be pursued in coordination

with the Secretariat of State for Fishing, with the active participation of

the fishermen, who will benefit from the legal provisions concerning the new

foreign-exchange management policy.

The general directives for the 3-year plan for the development of fishing

activities in the province of Inhambane call for guaranteeing the minimum in

all the main fishing centers in order to satisfy the demand of the population

in other provinces for fish, in accordance with the agreements signed with

their respective governments.

Fishermen Welcome Combine Plan

Maputo NOTICIAS in Portuguese 16 Dec 86 p 3

[Text] The establishment of a fishing combine in the province of Inhambane is

viewed by the traditional and semi-industrial fishermen in this part of the

country as a wise choice for the resolution of the multiple problems facing

\ 105
the sector. These Include in particular the lack of specialized workshops for

the repair and maintenance of ships» engines and facilities for preserving

and marketing the product.

Ganha Hakon, a semi-industrial fisherman in Inhassoro, told NOTICIAS that the

establishment of the fishing combine will benefit all the fishermen, since, on

the basis of the existing prospects, effective support will be provided'for

the building and repair of ships, workshops for the repair and maintenance of

engines, facilities for the preservation and marketing of production, and

supplies of fishing equipment.

The owner of two ships for fishing on the high seas, two nets and two tractor

mechanisms for trawling, Ganha Hakon has been outfitting ships since 1972 and

currently employs more than 40 workers.

With a daily production of about a ton and a half of fish, our interlocutor

said that his main difficulties have to do with the shortage of fishing

equipment and food for the workers. In connection with the purchase of spare

parts and equipment, for example, Ganha Hakon noted that he currently has one

tractor mechanism inoperative because of a jammed winch. It can only be

repaired in Beira or Maputo, because of the lack of local facilities for the

purpose.

"With regard to nets, we have had no major problems, but the same is not the

case now with steel cables. Because they are in short supply, we have been

forced to reduce the rate of production. For example, we formerly oast

trawler nets 3,000 meters, but now the distance is only 2,000, which naturally

has its effect on the final result," Ganha Hakon said. He also voiced his

concern about the supply of food for the 45 workers he employs. He said that

in fact "We have tried to improve the situation through the province of

Sofala, with which we have contracts for the supply of some quantities of fish

m exchange for food and other products."

Ganha Hakon, a semi-industrial fisherman from Inhassoro, then talked about the

possibility of exporting spiny lobster, shark fin, crab and other shellfish

within the legal distribution circuits and on the basis of the new foreignexchange management policy. He said that this would be a wise solution

because with the foreign exchange obtained from exports, equipment, spare

parts and fishing materials which are in very short supply could be imported.

The European Economic Community is currently implementing a program of support

for the fishing sector in the districts of Vilanculo, Inhassoro and Govuro.

At present, according to our information, its efforts have been limited to the

shipment of fishing equipment from Maputo to these zones. Our interlocutor

£

a

? e

unde^tak±ng enthusiastically, because the resources in the hands

of EQUIPESCA are being made available to the fishermen in the various areas of

activity.

Speaking about the Second Provincial Seminar on Fishing which was recently

held in Inhassoro, Ganha Hakon said it was valuable because "It reminded us of

our obligations in this critical phase of the country's economic recovery to

which we are called upon to contribute."

106
Ganha Hakon said in conclusion that the results of the seminar will make

themselves felt in the short, medium and long run, because the directives

established call for greater support for the sector, and this will be

reflected in an increase in production. "The visits paid to our camps here in

Inhassoro made it possible to assess our efforts and the difficulties we

face, and it also provided an opportunity for us to confirm that with more

support we can do more."

Private Fisherman Speaks

Maputo NOTICIAS in Portuguese 16 Dec 86 p 3

[Text] "If what was decided at the Second Provincial Seminar on Fishing held

here in Inhassoro is carried out, there will be a substantial improvement in

fishing production in the province. The establishment of the fishing combine

will benefit the sector with the repair and maintenance of engines, supplies

of fishing equipment, and also facilities for preserving, shipping and

marketing fish," a local fisherman said.

Victoriano Jorge Cabrita, who has been a semi-industrial fisherman since 1970

in the district of Inhassoro, talked to NOTICIAS. He said that because of the

difficulties in transportation, as well as the lack of cold-storage equipment

since the PESCOM facilities in that zone were sabotaged in 1982 by the armed

bandits, the fish caught is almost entirely dressed, salted, dried and sold on

a priority basis in the provinces of,Manica and Sofala.

Asked about his difficulties, in particular in supplying the 47 workers

employs, Victoriano Cabrita said that he has experienced no major

difficulties, because when he sells his fish, he requires that a part of the

payment be in goods of first necessity, clothing and other essential goods.

Our interlocutor, who has one ship for fishing on the high seas as well as

tractor mechanisms and nets for trawling, obtains a daily yield of about a

ton, which he says is profitable. He informed us that he has had no great

problems with fuel either. In other words, his fishing activity in Inhassoro

has never been paralyzed by a shortage of fuel. He added that the same could

be said about some fishing equipment and supplies which have been provided by

EQUIPESCA through the provincial intermediaries, or by the European Economic

Community, which also distributes goods for EQUIPESCA.

Victoriano Cabrita told NOTICIAS that with a view to doubling his production

capacity, he is going to build more ships as well as installing cold-storage

chambers to preserve fresh fish for later marketing at various points in the

province, as well as other zones in the country, in accordance with the

agreement signed by the government of Inhambane with the governments of the

other provinces.

Our interlocutor said that although fishing for spiny lobster, which is

caught in the nets from time to time at present, is not tradition in this

zone, a study has already been undertaken with a view to initiating fishing

for this species because of export needs, in coordination with the Secretariat

of State for Fishing. Exports will include not only spiny lobster, but also

107
shark fin and crab. This will make it possible to import equipment, spare

parts for ships' engines and tractor mechanisms, as well as other fishing

equipment, our interlocutor said.

During this fishing season, which began last October and will end in June of

next year, Cabrita hopes to produce 100 tons of fish, a goal which he says

will be reached and surpassed.

In fact, from what we were able to see, this goal did not appear to take the

real capacity and resources available into account. We say this because

between October and the middle of the second half of November alone,

Victoriano Cabrita had already produced a little more than 40 tons. This

leads us to believe that at this rate, he will be able to achieve a

production total of 120 tons in 150 working days, that is to say 5 months.

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108
MOZAMBIQUE

BRIEFS

DOCTORS WITHOUT FRONTIERS OFFICE—An agreement formalizing the authorization

to undertake and develop work in the health sector in Mozambique was signed in

Maputo yesterday morning by representatives of our government and Doctors

Without Frontiers, a nongovernmental organization. Based on the agreement

signed, this organization, which is staffed by voluntary medical personnel,

can establish an office in our country and provide needy people with support

by means of programs offering medical care and rehabilitation and the

establishment of health centers. Doctors Without Frontiers, an organization

which has been working in our country for about a year, is providing emergency

health care in the provinces of Tete and Inhambane—more specifically, in the

districts of Funhalouro, Inhassoro, Mambone, Mabote and Vilanculo. It

provides medicines, food and rehabilitation at health centers which were

damaged or destroyed. The agreement was signed by Minister of Cooperation

Jacinto Veloso, and on behalf of the nongovernmental organization, by its

coordinator in Mozambique, Dr Luc Van Der Veken, shown in the photo exchanging

documents. [Text] [Maputo NOTICIAS in Portuguese 23 Dec 86 p 8] 5157

DPRK YOUTH DELEGATION VISIT—The visit paid to the headquarters of the

Provincial Committee of the OJM in Maputo yesterday morning, as well as the

courtesy visit paid during the afternoon to the headquarters of the Central

Committee of the Mozambique Youth Organization and its secretary general,

Zacarias Kupela, occurred on the next to the last day of the stay of the youth

delegation representing the Union of Working and Socialist Youth of the

Democratic People's of Korea which arrived in our country last Thursday. The

young Koreans, who came to our country at the invitation of the Mozambique

Youth Organization for a 1 week visit, are to return to their country today.

The delegation, headed by Li Song Guk, vice president of the Union of Working

and Socialist Youth of Korea, came to Mozambique to assess bilateral

cooperation, as well as to plan future actions. During their stay in Maputo,

the young Koreans participated in a number of meetings with officials of the

OJM on various levels and exchanged information on the situations existing in

the two countries. The Korean delegation also paid a number of visits to

sites of historic, political and cultural interest, as well as farm production

centers in the city and province of Maputo. The photo shows the young Koreans

talking with an OJM official on the day of their arrival in Maputo. [Text]

[Maputo NOTICIAS in Portuguese 16 Dec 86 p 2] 5157

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109
NIGERIA

YUGOSLAVIA EXPLORES COUNTERTRADE PROSPECTS

Kaduna NEW NIGERIAN in English 1 Dec 86 p 2

[Article by Ola Jone]

[Text] YUGOSLAVIA is exploring

ways of entering into countertrade agreements with Nigeria,

its ambassador to Nigeria, Mr.

Vlatko Cosic, has said.

The ambassador who visited

the New Nigerian Newspapers Limited, Lagos office told the Managmg Editor Mr. Ndanusa Alao that

if the deal was approved, his

countcy would be interested in

various products from Nigeria.

Some of the products he mentioned include cocoa butter, coal

bitumen, rubber, columbite. cot-'

ton, groundnut, zinc and lead.

Mr. .Cosic explained that his

country would be ready to carry

out investiment projects which

were of interest to the federal

government in exchange for

whatever product it lifted from

Nigeria.

He said that exchange for commodities from Yugoslavia would

be based on products which

Nigerian counterparts might consider as of interest.

The ambassador also disclosed

that his country, was exploring

the possibility of entering into

cooperation with Nigeria in the

area of mass communication...

This, he said was necessary for

the two countries so that they

could both share experience and*

also exchange vi&it with a view to

promoting understanding between Nigeria and Yugoslavia.

Enumerating federal government's project handled by

Yugoslav firms, Mr. Cosic spok«

tof the trade fair complex in Ojc

Road, ASCON in Badagry, Hadejia Irrigation system in Kano and

Savannah Sugar project in

Gongola State.

The ambassador further

disclosed that his country was

building a multi purpose cargo

vessels with 16,000 dead weight

tonnes for the Nigeria National

shipping line while 2 out of 33

Yugoslav companies based in

Nigeria since 1966 had entered a

joint venture with Nigeria to set

up drug manufacturing companies in the country.

Mr. Cosic described the South

African planned attack on

Nigeria as "surprising, strange

and unrealistic."

He expressed his country's support for imposition of sanctions

against the South African government because "it is only sanction

that can solve the problem of

apartheid in South Africa."

The ambassador who also said

that his country supported the

struggle of the Frontline. States

and the majority rule in South

Africa said Yugoslavia shares

identical views with Nigeria en

various crisis that engulf African

continents.

He also emphasised on the need

for South-South cooperation so

that the developing countries

would have their fair share in the

world.

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110
NIGERIA

INFORMATION MINISTER MOMOH ON HIGH INFLATION

Kaduna NEW NIGERIAN in English 5 Dec 86 pp 1, 3

[Text] The Information Minister, Mr Tony Momoh, yesterday in Lagos announced

that the inflation in the country now stood at 300 percent.

Launching the first phase of "the campaign against the rising cost of living.'

Mr Momoh said the campaign was necessary because the situation could "no

longer be condoned either by sheer force of reason or by the dictates of

people's pocket,"

He further said the rising cost of living no longer required merely appealing

to a sense of fairness and justice, but a campaign because "no well-meaning

government like ours will be satisfied to wait while many of its citizens

live in abject poverty."

The minister said unless the masses organised themselves into consumer and

cooperative societies, lowering the cost of living would always elude them.

Mr Momoh then called on the media, cultural groups, age grades and market

women to form co-operative associations as a means of cutting down inflation.

He stressed that it was mandatory for manufacturers and industrialsts to

fix and display prices of their goods.

In her speech, the First Lady, Mrs Maryam Babagida, said women had played

significant roles in the economic development of the country.

She said, although they might not have been adequately rewarded, they were

satisfied with seeing their children happier, healthier and better educated.

Mrs Babangida then appealed to all market women, manufacturers, distributors

and transporters to assist the government in its long-term plans to make life

easier for all.

The address of the First Lady was read by the wife of the Chief of General

Staff, Mrs Augustus Aikhomu,

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111
NIGERIA

NUMBER OF EXPATRIATE QUOTA APPLICATIONS FALLS

Kaduna NEW NIGERIAN in English 6 Dec 86 pp 1, 11

[Article by Abubakar Umar]

[Text]

THE number of expatriate

quota applications had

decreased following government directive that in granting quota to companies, the

Ministry of Internal Affairs

shouldensure that at least two

Nigerians understudied the

expatriate on such positions.

Minister of Internal Affairs,

Colonel John Shagaya told

newsmen in Abuja yesterday

that the objective was net to

harm foreign business but to

encourage indigenous particiDation and eventual running ot sucn ousmesses.

He assured foreign investors of undisturbedreturns

on their investments as

Nigerians 'acquired the

technology and expertise to

run such businesses.

He said between January

.and .October. 1.920 auota applications were treated, out of

which 867 were withdrawn

•ith a view to creating more job

opportunities for qualified

Nigerians.

During the same period, Colonel Shagaya said, 243 applications were received from prospective investors seeking permission to establish businesses.

He said 161 were interviewed but

only % companies were granted

business permits.

He said the remaining 65 were

recommended for approval subjectto fulfilment of certain conditions, such as evidence of acquision of land and purchase of

equipment.

On the issuance of passports

and travel certificates, Colonel

Shagaya said although the

passport office was set up to

render social services, the

measures introduced to enhance

security had yielded good financial returns.

He said 141.658 passports were

issued in 1985 with a revenue of

7,157,832 Naira realised, while

8,919,344 Naira was realised from

the sale of 133,925 passports between January and October this

year.

Colonel Shagaya said government planned to computerise the

Nigerian passport system to ensure security and minimise

delays in processing application

forms and urged Nigerians to

give the maximum co-operation.

Meanwniie, the Department of

Customs and Excise in the

Ministry of Internal Affairs

realised 2.4 billion Naira as

revenue between January and

September this year.

The Minister in charge of the

ministry, Colonel John Shagaya,

disclosed in Abuja yesterday.

He said the revenue target set

for the department in the current

year was 2.9 billion and the areas

included duties on imports, exports, excise duties and other

fees, along with the recently

abolished 30 per cent importlevy.

Colonel Shagaya, who was addressing a press conference, said

during the period under review,

revenue realised from import

112
He illustrated by saying while

there were 1,040 seizures involving 366 suspects between January

and August last year, there were

756 seizures involving 266

suspects for the same period this

year.

In the meantime, the national

identity card project has been

scheduled to take off latest next

June, Minister of Internal Affairs, Colonel John Shagaya, has

said.

He added that a pilot scheme

would however be undertaken to

test out the routines, procedures

and other related activities mappedfor the registrationbefore the

take off date.

He told a press conference in

\buja yesterday that what had

delayed the taKfc off was Ute ex- •

ecution of essential intrastructural facilities.

Colonel Shagaya said the

facilities were the craation of

computer houses in all the state

capitals and Abuja, the installation and commissioning of the

computers, micro film and etectromechinical equipment.

duties was 795.4 million Naira,

export duties 2.64 million Naira;

and excise duties 796.7 million

Naira.

He said 10.5 million Naira was

realised from other, fees while

826.4 million Naira was realised

from 30 per cent import levy.

The minister said with the

amount already collected, it was

hoped that the department would

exceed the revenue target even

though the abolished 30 per cent,

import levy would have ceased to

make its contribution in the last

quarter of the year.

On smuggling, Colonel

Shagaya said hard drug pushers,

in apparent disregard of stiff

penalties, were being caught in

tens almost daily in our international airports.

He said between January and

October this year, 94 hard drug

seizures, valued at 30,015,000

Naira were made at the Murtala

Mohammed Airport, Ikeja alone.

Colonel Shagaya said except

for the'stubborn resistance of

drug traffickers, there has been

an overall decline in smuggling

activities.

/9274

CSO: 3400/303

113
NIGERIA

TRANSPORT UNION THREATENS PRICE RISE IF VEHICLE PRICES INCREASE

Kaduna NEW NIGERIAN in English 4 Dec 86 p i)

[Article by Sani Babadoko]

[Text]

TRANSPORT fares would go

up by exactly 250 per cent from

the day the Federal Government

approved the proposed 250 per

cent increase in prices of vehicles

manufactured in Nigeria, the

President, National Union of Road,

Transport Workers < NURTW):

Chief Eyo N. Honesty has said.

He said NURTW was setting up

a committee to monitor the

rumoured increases so as to

recommend increases in

transport fares.

Chief Honesty said at the opening of NURTW National Executive Council (NEC) meeting

in Kaduna yesterday thai, if the

government approved the proposed increase there would be a

'bandwagon effect.' These, he

said, included automatic increase

in prices of spare parts, motor

oil and lubricants, insurance

premium, transportation of

foodstuff and the "general cost of

living in the country."

He said the federal government

should remain impervious to

"this mad rise in vehicle cost,"

adding that nobody would love to

be faded out of business" as such

every Nigerian should bear the

brunt and not transport workers

alone.

He said "if the government is

considering that the economy of

this country could be improved

through impervious squeeze of

those who operate transport in

this country, then it is a failure

achieved in a grand style which

we will not succumb to."

Chief Honesty called for a

"drastic- reduction" in prices of

vehicles sold in Nigeria and immediate closure of all assembly

plants in the country. He also

called for the introduction of

passenger manifest at all

passenger boarding points in the

country by NURTW to help

"identify travelling passengers

in case or cases of accidents."

He urged the government to

retire "corrupt police officers" to

give way to more honest ones.

"Police must remember that

they are part of our society. False

issuance of check slips meant to

extort and exploit steering

drivers throughout the country

should stop forthwith" he added.

Chief Honesty said there was a

mysterious letter in circulation

porported to have emanated from

the ministry of labour to state

ministries of local government

which he said was a slap on

Decree No. 17 of 1986. He said the

letter was not only inciting but in

contempt of the High Courts in

the country since the contents involved a case ponding in the high

court for determination.

/9274

CSO: 3400/802 114
POLICE ABLE TO ARREST STUDENTS ON CAMPUSES.

Kaduna NEW NIGERIAN in English 8 Dec 86 pp 1, 3

NIGERIA

[Text]

FEDERAL Government has

directed all universities lo refer

to the police any criminal act

committed on their campuses by

students.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sokoto, Professor Mahdi

Adamu. said at the eighth convocation ceremony of the university Saturday, that campuses

would now be just like any part of

the town where the police could

«o and pick up a suspect.

He said while the\ would not

like to hand over a student to the

police, they should now know "if

a student plays a wrong music he

or she would have to dance lo it

alone in full."

Professor Mahdi said the ban

on student unionism had now

been lifted but made voluntary by

the government.

He said only a student of good

academic standing would be

eligible to contest election, adding that they must get "grade

point average (GPA) of 2.00 and

above."

He said students must

matriculate m the university

before they could vote, adding

that the measures were being applied to improve the quality of

students' unionism.

He said the rate of withdrawals

in the university this year was

higher than usual and this could

be attributed to the students'

disturbances inMay

The vice-chancellor also said it

had become a regulation in the

university that any academic

staff who had severed for four

years without a masters degree

"must leave the academic line."

He said they have about 100

staff attending various courses in

and outside the country, with a

few of them in the University of

Sokoto.

He said their desire was to have

a large team of Nigerian Ph.D

holders within the next three

years.

Professor Mahdi said the introduction of the four-year

degree programme was not

problem-free and afforded them

the chance to review their degree

programmes, otherwise the exercise would have been like "a

mere attachment to the three

year-degree system."

/9274

CSO: 3400/801

115
SOKOTO STATE ORDERS CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL MOSOUKS

Kaduna NEW NIGERIAN in English 8 Dec 86 p 3

[Article by Ibrahim Salihu]

NIGERIA

[Text] SOKOTO State Government

had directed secretaries of the 19

local governments in the state to

dose down "all illegal Jumma'at

Mosques."

A letter reference

NO/SEC/ll/TI/24 signed by the

Permanent Secretary, Careers

and Special Services Departments, Alhaji Abdullahi Isu, said

such mosques should apply for

permission to operate in accordance with the law if they wished

to remain open.

The permanent secretary said

they had received information

that "the illegal mosques" were

established without proper

authority, adding that the directive had been copied to his"

counterpart in the Ministry of

Local Government for his information and m <>r(\ purposes

The New Nigerian understood

that the local government

secretaries had in turn sen.' copies

of the letter to all district an

village heads, religious bodies

referred to as "religious parties"

and other law enforcement agencies.

Full text of the statement

reads: "I am directed to draw

your attention to the fact that information is still reaching this office that Jumma'at Mosques are

being established without propei

authorities which is contrary to

the law.

"It is in view of this you are

directed to ensure that all illegal

Jumma'at Mosques are closed

down andif they are worth to conlinue. they should apply in accordance with the law.

"This letter has been copied to

the permanent secretary

Ministry for Local Government

for his information, and record

purpose."

/9274

CSD? 3400/803

116
NIGERIA

AIR FORCE COMMODORE ON CALABAR UNIT

Kaduna SUNDAY NEW NIGERIAN in English 7 Dec 86 p 16

[Article by Clement Unegbu]

[Text] Arrangements have reached an advanced stage to establish a unit of

the Air Force in the Cross River State capital, Calabar, as part of plans to

beef up the security of the country.

Speaking on the arrangements, the Air Officer Commanding the Tactical Air

Command of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore, Nuraini 0. 0. Yusuf, explained that the action was necessitated by the important role Nigeria was

playing in African politics and the need to defend our territorial air space.

Air Commodore Yusuf, who made the disclosure during a courtesy call on the

state governor, Naval Commander Ibim Princewill, expressed satisfaction with

the extent of work done so far by the state government towards the movement

of an Air Force base to Calabar.

A national weekly based in Lagos had reported only a forthnight ago that

racist regime in South Africa was planning to carry out an air raid on some

strategic places and installations in Nigeria.

The proposed raids were said to be a reprisal for Nigeria's role aimed at

dismantling the inhuman system of apartheid. The targets earmarked for attack

include the three refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna.

Reacting to the newspaper report, Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Sani

Abacha, confirmed that Nigeria had been receiving such reports in the past,

and had not over looked them.

Major-General Abacha, however, assured the nation that Nigeria was combat

ready and would not only contain, but would even forestall any such attacks.

/9274

CSO: 3400/802

117
SOUTH AFRICA

JAAP MARAIS EXPECTS TO ANNOUNCE COOPERATION BETWEEN CP, HNP

Pretoria DIE AFRIKANER in Afrikaans 10 Dec 86 pp 1, 13

[Article: "Marais Suggests: Announce Cooperation on 24 January"]

[Text] The so-called unity conference of the Conservative Party [CP] on

24 January should be transformed into a great gathering at which a cooperation

agreement between the Herstigte Nasionale Party [HNP] and the CP is announced.

So said the leader of the HNP, Mr Jaap Marais, in an interview with DIE

AFRIKANER this week. Mr Marais took this important initiative against the

backdrop of reports that there are serious reservations among ordinary CP

members about the plans of the CP leadership for a unity conference. One CP

divisional committee—that at Standerton—has already asked the CP leadership

to resume negotiations with the HNP on policy matters.

Mr Marais told DIE AFRIKANER that various CP supporters had made representations

to him about joint action by the HNP and the CP in the expected coming byelections. "The problems of a rapid unification of the two parties were

also discussed in depth, and the CP members concerned and I jointly came to

the conclusion that unification is a laborious and drawn-out process. Every

branch and divisional committee of each of the parties must, for example,

be dissolved and reconstituted into a new branch and divisional committee

with newly elected officers. It is a process that gives rise to many problems

of mutual rivalry that will keep the new central bodies of such a unified

party busy for a long time. This will be at a time when the party ought to

be harnessing all its forces against the government."

Mr Marais said that everyone had agreed that from a purely practical point of

view it was undesirable to attempt a hasty unification before the general

election that was likely to take place in April next year.

Asked by DIE AFRIKANER what solution he had proposed, the HNP leader replied:

"My position is that the negotiations over a cooperation agreement between

the parties should be resumed as soon as possible so that 24 January can be

used for the announcement of a cooperation agreement. That then becomes the

date on which the two parties can immediately join forces against the

government."

118
Mr Marais said furthermore that CP members had asked him whether he was

ready for talks with the leader of the CP, Dr Andries Treurnicht, with a view

to a cooperation agreement. "My answer was in the affirmative. There has

already been a proposal to this effect from the HNP side at one of the earlier

discussions between the parties.

"My abovementioned position on these matters would be conveyed to Dr Treurnicht.

If we are serious about fighting the government, that is the obvious way,"

Mr Marais stated.

12906/12851

CSO: 3401/76

119
SOUTH AFRICA

DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH ON BRINK OF SCHISM

Pretoria DIE AFRIKANER in Afrikaans 10 Dec 86 pp 1, 13

[Article: "Conservatives Demand White Church: Dutch Reformed Church Faces

Split"]

[Text] The NGK [Dutch Reformed Church] is inexorably headed for schism.

Amid increasing tension and upheaval in the Church, conservatives are demanding

that it give up its official policy of being open to everyone. They are

calling for a new resolution requiring the Church to declare itself a white

church to be adopted at an extraordinary General Synod. Observers believe,

however, that the likelihood of such a Synod being summoned is extremely small.

The left wing in the Church will definitely not be willing to give up the

gains it made at the recent General Synod, it is said.

Conservative opposition to the decisions of the General Synod is rapidly

increasing in scope. The roughly 3,000 members who attended last week's

gathering in the Skilpad Hall in Pretoria are apparently just the tip of the

iceberg. There have been reports in the meantime of widespread unrest in the

Church, with church councils rejecting the Synod's decisions and others that

have already begun to withhold their Synod contributions.

The chairman of the Continuation Committee of the objecting members, Prof

W. J. G. Lubbe, told DIE AFRIKANER, however, that he still has confidence in

the negotiations to be conducted with the church leadership. "I don't want

to predict that the negotiations will fail. We won't negotiate if we think

the negotiations are going to fail."

Prof Lubbe emphasizes, however, that the white nature of the NGK is not

negotiable. "We want to reserve membership in our Church for our own people.

There is already a universal Church of Christ to which all believers belong.

That Church takes shape in the cultural foundations of peoples."

Aside from open membership, conservatives also object to the policy of the

Synod that unity takes precedence over diversity, Prof Lubbe says.

Diversity is thereby forgotten, and priority is given to unity.

120
The way in which apartheid has been dragged into the Church and society is

also unacceptable, Prof Lubbe asserts. Apartheid is the only political system

that is discussed. Apartheid is caricatured; it is condemned, and then blame

has to be taken for it.

Prof Lubbe says a request is going to be made for the calling of an extraordinary General Synod. The resolutions of the General Synod to which exception

is taken must be reformulated, because no interpretation of them can be

satisfactory.

The Continuation Committee is going to draw up a list of grievances for

submission to the General Synodal Commission, says Prof Lubbe. At the same

time, preparations will, however, also be made for the possibility of the

negotiations failing. These preparations will, however, take second place,

Prof Lubbe says.

In a resolution that was adopted unanimously at the Pretoria gathering, it

is emphasized that it is not the conservatives who are trying to split the

Church. "We are not schismatics. We are not the ones who ignited the veld

fires of dissatisfaction; it was the General Synod. We did not create a

crisis situation in the Church; we are simply taking crisis measures."

The document says that a Synod should ask itself whether it knows its people

when the resolutions of such a Synod stir up so many objections from so

many members in so many places. "Is the fault simply with 'stubborn members'?

Has the Synod itself not perhaps alienated many of its own church members

with its resolutions?"

Among the decisions of the Pretoria gathering that caused most stir was the

one advising members to withhold contributions to their congregations and

send them to the Continuation Committee. This decision drew an especially

heated response from the executive of the Synodal Commission, which took note

ot it with "dismay" in a statement. DIE AFRIKANER has been authoritatively

told that a reduction of only 20 percent in contributions may plunge the NGK

into a serious financial crisis.

According to Prof Lubbe the Continuation Committee's petition of protest will

be dispatched in April or May next year. A resolution at last week's

gathering provides for the committee to report back to a gathering of

objectors before the end of June.

The address of the Continuation Committee is 101 Semar Building, Corner of

Pretorius and Du Toit Streets, Pretoria. The provisional telephone number

is (012) 26-9085.

12906/12851

CSO: 3401/76

121
SOUTH AFRICA

WHITE FARMERS' LAND TO BE GIVEN TO BLACKS

Pretoria DIE AFRIKANER in Afrikaans 10 Dec 86 p 5

[Article: "Official Lets Cat Out of Bag: Thousands of White Farms for

Blacks"]

[Text] Government policy currently aims at moving 5.5 million blacks to the

cities from the "homelands" and the settlement of black "farmers" on 2.8

million hectares that are now white agricultural land.

This astonishing development emerges from a lecture recently delivered by a

senior official of the government's Southern African Development Bank, Dr

Matthew Cobbett, at a symposium at York University, in Britain. On this

occasion Dr Cobbett also met official representatives of the ANC and members

of the UDF.

According to reports, the ANC was not supposed to talk to Dr Cobbett, because

the foreign universities have instituted an academic boycott against South

Africa under ANC pressure, but that organization sent official "observers" to

attend the congress. Members of the UDF were not thus restricted and also

took part freely in the discussion that followed the lecture.

Those in the know believe that Dr Cobbett's calculated indiscretion was

intended to reassure the radical left wing about the swing to the right that

the National Party [NP] is expected to make in the coming general election.

They say that since the abolition of the Economic Research Bureau of the

Department of Cooperation and Development (BENSO), the government-controlled

Southern African Development Bank has been one of the two think tanks in which

the government's future socioeconomic policy is developed. The head of the

bank, Dr Simon Brand, who also took part in the York symposium, is responsible

for this research.

The other think tank is the Central Economic Advisory Service (SEA) under the

direction of Mr Jan Dreyer. The SEA is part of the office of the state

president.

Dr Cobbett proceeds from two assumptions. One is that the government party

will soon bring into being a "government of national unity" on a social

democratic and capitalist basis, which will satisfy the land hunger of homeland

"farmers" on a large scale at the expense of white farmers.

122
The second assumption is that government policy will no longer attempt to

decentralize industries to the homelands, but will instead seek through its

urbanization policy to concentrate industries in the cities and settle the

superfluous homeland blacks in the cities.

On this basis Dr Cobbett then explains how the "fundamental question"—the

"spatial inequalities" resulting from the Land Act of 1913—is to be resolved.

He points out that agriculture—both traditional subsistence agriculture and

agricultural production for the market—is at best a supplementary source of

income in the "homelands." Forty percent of the 2,340,000 homeland families,

or 5.5 million out of 14 million people, own no land and are functionally

already urbanized. In 1984 the value of agricultural production per family was

on the average only 240 rands per year. In Venda the value of agricultural

production per family was on average 341 rands, followed by the Transkei, where

it amounted to 327 rands. The value of agricultural production as a percentage of total earnings per family was the highest in the Transkei, with 31.2

percent, and the lowest in KwaNdebele, with 1.3 percent.

Wages from mining, trade and industry comprised the greatest part of family

income.

Even if only the homeland families who do own agricultural land are taken into

account, only 2 hectares of land are owned per family. Broadly speaking, Dr

Cobbett told DIE AFRIKANER when he was approached for further details, a black

family needs 4 hectares to make a living from traditional black agriculture.

The first task will therefore be to make room in the present urban complex

for 950,000 landless black families, or 5.5 million people, who currently

live under urban conditions in the "homelands."

Dr Cobbett takes the government's urbanization policy, according to which no

more industries are to be established in the "homelands" or the white countryside, as a starting point. The landless families in the "homelands" must be

settled in the cities, where they will be closer to existing employment

opportunities.

Furthermore, half the remaining families will have to leave the "homelands"

for new ground in order that those who remain can be given 4 hectares of land.

Those who leave—700,000 families, or 4.2 million people—will also have to

receive 4 hectares per family on land expropriated from white farmers at

prices that will be much lower than those received by farmers who sold for

consolidation purposes.

A total of 2.8 million hectares will be required for this settlement of

black subsistence "farmers" among the white farms, Dr Cobbett says.

For comparison, the total area currently planted to corn by white farmers

is 4.2. million hectares according to NAMPO [not further identified].

12906/12851

CSO: 3401/76 - END -

123