St. Paul recorder., 1963-01-04
Focus On
Africa
BY EDDIE L. MADISON, JR.

CnlcagO (ANF)-be1ore the
18th General Assembly of the
United Nations adjourned last
week, it voted 81 to IA for con-
demnation of Portugals "col-
onial war" against the people
of Angola, it's big African ter
ritory, and recommended an arms
embargo.
The resolution, pushed through
by the big Afro-Asian bloc which
now comprises a majority in the
world organization, requested the
Security Council 10 take approp-
riate measures, including sane
tions," to force Portugal to cease
its alleged severe repressive meas
ures" and grant independence to
the Angolan people. The resolution
received the backing Of Eastern
bloc countries.
While the assembly earlier dur
ing this years session condemned
South Africa for its rigid apar-
theid policies, the action recon-
mended by the UN body against
Portugal was viewed as the tough
est so far. On January 80, of this
year, the assembly asked the
council to keep the Angola ques-
ton under constant review"
Meanwhile, observers have ques-
toned the effectiveness Of econ
omic and diplomatic sanctions i'm
posed by the council, since the
United States, Britain, and Frnace
all of which voted against the res
olution, could WELD the veto power.
Other negative votes cast in the
assembly included: Australia, Bel
gtum, Canada, Italy, Luxemburg,
Netherland, New Zealand. Portu-
gal, South Africa, Spain and Tur-
key. There were 18 abstentions.
Albert Gore, a member of the
US. Senate who is viewed by
American Negroes as a liberal
from the South voted against the
measure indicting Portugal, a us.
ally in the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization. Gore, a UN delegate,
offered a new resolution requesting
Assembly President zafrulla Khan
of Pakistan to appoint two UN
representatives, one to visit Angola
and the other to go to Portuguese
Mozambique. They would gather
information on political, economic
and social conditions and report
back to next years assembly.
The arms embargo provision of
the resolution was directed at
NATO allies which various dele
gates have charged have been de-
ivering arms to Portugal.
The United States has repeated
ly denied any of its NATO NUM-
tons were being used for the
Colonial war"
Among it's other provisions, the
resolution: -
l. Reaffirmed the inalienable
right of the Angola people to self
determination and independence. /"
2. Demanded Portugal halt its
suppressive measures against An
gola.
3. Urged the government Of
Portugal to release all political
prisoners, lift the ban on political
parties, and create freely elected
institutions.
4. Requested UN member states
to use their influence with Port
ugal.
8. Requested member states to
deny Portugal any assistance
which could be used Tor suppress
sion" in Angola.
6. Reminded Portugal that it
had not implemented UN resolu-
tions adopted in the past.
PortugaPs delegate, Vasco Wei
ra Garin, attacked the resolution,
saying: I'VE reject emphaticslly
the unwarranted allegations it con-
tains." He asserted it was out
rageous to suggest sanctions s
against his country when the
United Nations had taken no ac-
ton against a country which had
committed aggression - a refer
ence to India's take-over Of Port
ugese Goa just year ago.
Garin pointed out that the draft
contained no mention whatsoever
of the terrorist activities" against
Angolan authorities, outside help
to the rebels and offers to send
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