JPRS-SSA-84-072
19 June 1984
Sub-Saharan Africa Report
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JPRS-SSA- 84-072
19 June 1984
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA REPORT
CONTENTS
INTER-AFRICAN AFFAIRS
Briefs
Komati River Water Plan 1
ANGOLA
Briefs
Fishing Protocol With Sao Tome 2
Envoy to USSR 2
ETHIOPIA
Reportage on COPWE Organizational Seminar
(THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD, 18, 20 May 84) ....cccccvecscceees 3
Historic Significance
Mengistu's Directives
Briefs
Youths in Party Formation 7
GAMBIA
Long Treason Trial Ends With Death Sentences
(Baboucar M. Gaye; THE SENEGAMBIA SUN, 30 Apr 84) ...... 8
GHANA
People's Militia Training Intensified
(Breda Atta-Quayson; PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC, 16 May 84). 9
Dissatisfaction With Prices and Incomes Board Noted
(K. A. Serabour-Badu; GHANAIAN TIMES, 10 May 84) ....... 11
-a- (III - NE & A - 120]
Muslim Community 'Bickering' Discussed
(GHANAIAN TIMES, 7, 17 May 84) ..... Se alates oan tea ane eae
JFM Calls for Unity, Editorial
GMRC Refuses to Arbitrate
Decentralization Policy for Grassroot Participation Initiated
Rs. £ OP DD ibs tcecedesscesasvesebasseeens
Late March Rains Increase Maize Harvest Estimate
(THE FINANCIAL GAZETTE, 18 May 84) ....cccccccccccccccscce
Bread Not Available Despite Large Wheat Imports
(PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC, 14, 15 May 84) .......cccccveces
Flour Kalabule, Editorial
Accra Bakers Given Ultimatum
Footdragging on Redeployment Exercise Discussed
(Editorial; PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC, 8 May 84) ...........
Briefs
GMRC Receives Government Allocations
Land Politics
Agona District Land Disputes
Congested Ports
EEC Emergency Drought Aid
EEC Grant for Ghana
Japanese Rice Donation
New Togo Border Measures
Media Ties With USSR
New Cocoa Price
Food Production Improves
GUINEA-BISSAU
Visit of PRC Ambassador Confirms Good Relations
(NO PINTCHA, 4 Apr 84) .......... WITTTTLILITT TTT TTL
DEPA Introduces New Rice-Growing Techniques
(NO PINTCHA, 12 May 84) .cccccccccccsccnsccsccsccsseseces
MADAGASCAR
Briefs
DPRK Cement Donation
MALAWI
Briefs
Regional Cooperation Valued
=
MOZAMBIQUE
Briefs
NIGERIA
Beira Rails, Harbor Security
Uzbekistan Party Delegation
Belgian Railroad Assistance
Electronics Trading Center Opens
Thatcher Invitation to Botha ‘Hard To Understand'
Idiagbon Speaks About Universities, Money Supply
(Lagos International Service, 29 May 84)
(NAN, 27 May 84) ...... TETTTTEITTELILELTLTTIT TTT TTT
"Racist' SA Scored, Said To Blame for Conference Failure
(Dele Kuku; Lagos [nternational Service, 20 May 84) .....
Briefs
SOUTH AFRICA
Transkei Foreign Minister on Influx Control
Briefs
Diplomats Criticized
Campus Violence Condemned
Committee on Local Governments
Justice Minister Defends Decrees
(SAPA, 23 May 84) Co eee eee ee rere ree eresereeseeeeeeeeeesese
Work Injuries
Apprenticeship Statistics
White People 'Resettled’
SADF Can't Join AWB
Military Service Survey
Hughes Products’ Factory
Trans-Kalahari Rail Link
Volkswag Recruiting Drive
Duvha Power Station
Local Content Percentage
Personal Savings Down
Drift to Cities
Black-White Worker Ratio
AECI Blast System
Slurry Pipeline
Toshiba Induction Furnace
Escom's Giant Trailer
Cement From Slag
Coloured, Indian Constituencies
State Earmarks Sasol Money
Zimbabwe Shares
Colored Party Delegates Meet
= €
36
36
36
36
37
39
41
43
43
43
43
45
46
46
46
46
47
47
47
48
48
49
49
49
49
50
50
51
51
51
52
52
52
53
TANZANIA
National Livestock Census Planned
eG Ms Me GD UT 5466-66-45 606006006006 ee6 0b 00800404 54
Briefs
Kibo Paper Plant 56
Mbeya Cement Plant 56
Tbanda-Karonga Road 57
Coffee Earnings 57
ZAMBIA
Briefs
Sugar Price Up 58
ZIMBABWE
Mugabe Views Domestic, Foreign Issues
(Robert Mugabe; THE HERALD, 21 May 84) .........ceeeeeue 59
Mugabe Comments on Role of Journalists
(Harare Domestic Service, 31 May 84) .......eeeercceeees 66
Mugabe Pledges Support for University
(Harare Domestic Service, 3 Jun 84) ...cccccccccccccccses 67
Farmers Union Official Asks Security Inquiry
Ef RPWPPPTTTTTTITITITIT TTT TTT TTiti ee 68
Satellite Station May Grow Bigger
(David Masunda; THE HERALD, 24 May 84) ....seeseeeceeees 69
Briefs
Ghanaian Civil Servants 70
Emigration Figures 70
Mauritius, Reunion Export Opportunities 70
INNER-AFRICAN AFFAIRS
BRIEFS
KOMATI RIVER WATER PLAN--The Joint Technical Committee of South Africa, Swazi-
land, and Mozambique has approved in principle a final development plan for
stabilizing water supplies from the Komati River. The Department of Environ-
mental Affairs says the plan outlines the building of six dams on the Komati
and Lomati rivers. During the first phase of the project, two dams will be
built on the Lomati River, at Maguga in Swaziland and at Driekoppies in South
Africa. South Africa and Swaziland have been working on plans for the project
since 1980. Mozambique joined the technical committee last year because it
will also benefit from the development. [Text] [MB301844 Johannesburg Do-
mestic Service in Afrikaans 1400 GMT 30 May 84]
CSO: 3400/1054
ANGOLA
BRIEFS
FISHING PROTOCOL WITH SAO TOME--Angola and Sao Tome and Principe signed a
protocol and an agreement of cooperationon fishing following meetings by the
countries’ joint commission from 19 to 22 May in Sao Tome. The Angola-Sao
Tome joint commission reviewed current actions of cooperation. Mr Maria do
Amorim, Sao Tome and Principe foreign minister, and Paulo Teixeira Jorge,
Angolan foreign minister, presided over the proceedings of the joint commis-
sion. [Text] [MG240909 Luanda Domestic Service in Portuguese 0500 GMT
24 May 84]
ENVOY TO USSR--Jose Cesar Augusto, Angolan ambassador to the Soviet Union, has
been received in separate audiences by Aleksey Vatchenko, chairman of the
Supreme Soviet of the Ukraine, and by the chairman of the Council of Ministers
of that Soviet republic. The Angolan diplomat, who has been making a protocol
visit to the Ukrainian SSR since 25 May, stressed the fraternal ties of friend-
ship that exist between the two peoples, pointing out that cooperation between
Angola and the Ukraine has been developing in the most beneficial manner in
the interests of the two states. It is worth recalling that Ukrainian enter-
prises have supplied our country with equipment for cotton production, as well
as for storing oil, and have founded a center for training specialists in
the field of energy. [Text] [MBO11610 Luanda Domestic Service in Portuguese
1200 GMT 1 Jun 84}
CSO: 3442/392
ETHIOPIA
REPORTAGE ON COPWE ORGANIZATIONAL SEMINAR
Historic Significance
Addis Ababa THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD in English 18 May 84 pp 1, 5
[Text] A sminare in which regional COPWE representatives and organizational
affairs heads, heads of political sections of sector and force commanders or
equivalent bodies and provincial representatives are participating opened here
yesterday to lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Workers Party of
Ethiopia.
The seminar was opened with a directive by Comrade Mengistu Haile-Mariam,
Chairman of the PMAC and of COPWE and Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary
Armed Forces.
Present at the opening of the seminar at the COPWE central committee assembly
hall were Comrade Fisseha Desta. Assistant Secretary-General of the PMAC and
COPWE Executive Committee member, Comrade Legesse Asfaw, PMAC Standing
Committee and COPWE Executive Committee member, and PMAC Standing Committee
and COPWE Central Committee members.
Comrade Chairman Mengistu said the major purpose of the seminar is to make
urgent preparatory moves towards party formation through proper awareness of
party documents and party founding meetings to be held at various levels. He
said the seminar is of historic significance in that the nation is on the eve
of party formation, for which tremendous sacrifice has been made, and when the
answer is to be provided to the question of organization in Ethiopia.
Pointing out that the historic impact of the occasion would be gauged by the
degree to which party rules are observed. Comrade Chairman Mengistu said the
implementation process of the various programmes must bring the people toge-
ther. Comrade Chairman Mengistu pointed out that the democratic modes of work
at party founding meetings should not only be reflected among members and par-
ty organs but be also reflected in the community. This, he said, is an organ-
izational obligation.
He noted that party founding meetings at different levels must be wholly
guided by democratic centralism and as such should create a historic prece-
dent. As the outcome of these meetings is decisive to the strength and
leadership role of our party, Comrade Chairman Mengistu said, participants
should live up to their task and demonstrate utmost discipline.
Comrade Chairman Mengistu reviewed the developments in the past ten years in
the organizational field and particuiarly the progress made since the estab-
lishment of COPWE four years ago. With the establishment of COPWE, a new
phase of struggle was opened and an accurate answer was provided to the com- —
plex problems then faced in the area of organisation, Comrade Chairman Men-
gistu noted.
Because unstinted effort was devoted to the challenging task of history, the
present promising stage was attained, Comrade Chairman Mengistu said. In this
regard, he pointed out the magnitude of the responsibility ensuring from the
duty of rallying revolutionaries under one centre and preparing directives in
accordance with the proclamation establishing COPWE.
Comrade Chairman Mengistu said that as it was possible to perceive from the
outset the stage achieved at present, activities were channelled under three
phases, namely the preparatory phase, the phase of activity and the phase
ushering in the party. Accordingly, priorities were set, plans and programmes
were charted out and criteria were drawn to ensure progress towards the de-
sired objectives, Comrade Chairman Mengistu said.
After elaborating on the accomplishments scored in the different phases of
activity, Comrade Chairman Mengistu said that party formation constitutes a
victory that would be realised after ten years of bitter struggle. It repre-
sents the beginning of a new chapter in the effort being made towards the con-
struction of the new society, said Comrade Chairman Mengistu.
Stressing the importance of the meetings for party formation, Comrade Chairman
Mengistu said that they are a means for achieving a transition from COPWE to
the party of the working people of Ethiopia. The accuracy of the outcome of
these meetings is decisive in ensuring the party's strength and enhancing its
capability, Comrade Chairman Mengistu noted.
Earlier, the seminar which is taking place at the assembly hall of COPWE Cen-
tral Committee was addressed by Comrade Legesse Asfaw who emphasised that
preparations are well underway to translate into deeds the resolution of the
Second COPWE Congress and of the Seventh Plenum of the Central Committee of
COPWE as regards the adoption at the party's first congress, of the party's
rules and various directives.
Comrade Legesse recalled the struggle waged to give an answer to the question
of organization since the upsurge of the Revolution. He stressed that COPWE
was formed through bitter struggle and immense sacrifices, adding that the
Workers Party of Ethiopia was about to be formed and that its formation would
show the strength and invincibility of the Revolution.
The formation of the party, Comrade Legesse said, would signal the death knell
of reactionary forces and would herald joy and pride for supporters of the
Revolution.
The transition of COPWE, through revolutionary struggle, under the leadership
of Comrade Chairman Mengistu to the Wo:lers Party of Ethiopia contributes sig-
nificantly to the communist movement as a whole ane not merely to the revo-
lutionary process in Ethiopia, noted Comrade Legesse, pointing out the
contributions in terms of experience and the alignment of forces.
Comrade Legesse further stated that anti-popular elements are frantically
engaged in the futile effort of arresting the formation of a Marxist-Leninist
party, the strengthening of the national economy and the building of an in-
vincible defence force. "However, we are certain that under the determined
leadership of the Revolutionary Leader and the sacrifices of the working peo-
ple, the Workers Party of Ethiopia will be formed," Comrade Legesse said.
This, he said, is because the Revolution is being wholeheartedly supported by
workers, peasants, the Revolutionary army, revolutionary intellectuals and
generally by the entire people as well as by countries who have built
socialism.
In conclusion, Comrade Legesse invited Comrade Chairman Mengistu to give rev-
Olutionary directive in connection with the meetings on party formation to be
held at different levels in order to translate into deeds the rules of the
Workers Party of Ethiopia.
In the.morning session of the seminar, a briefing was given to the partici-
pants on the draft rules of the party as well as its organizational structure
and operational guidelines by Comrade Legesse, who chairs the committee on
organizational work and congress preparation in the organizational set up for
party formation and the 10th anniversary celebration of the Ethiopian
Revolution.
Explanations were also given to the seminar by Comrade Shewandagne Belete,
COPWE Central Committee member and member of the committee for organizational
work and congress preparation on the directives on membership recruitment.
In the afternoon session, there were similar briefings by Comrade Legesse and
Comrade Shewandagne on other directives. Comrade Legesse gave explanations on
procedures concerning party meetings and elections. Comrade Shewandagne
briefed the seminar on directives related to the activities of the party's
primary organisations.
The participants of the seminar later carried out extensive discussions on the
subjects on which briefings were given.
The semina’ will continue today.
Mengistu's Directives
Addis Ababa THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD in English 20 May 84 pp l, 8 S
[Excerpt] The three-day seminar organized to make all necessary preparations
towards party formation through proper understanding of party documents and
the tack of party founding meetings wound up here yesterday.
Comrade Mengistu Haile-Mariam, Chairman of the PMAC and of COPWE and Commar-
der-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, listened to reports of the
seminar and gave directives after presiding over the final day's discussion.
Present at the closing session of tne seminar were Comrade Fisseha Desta,
Assistant Secretary-General of the PMAC and COPWE Executive Committee member,
Comrade Legesse Asfaw, PMAC Standing Committee and COPWE Executive Committee
member, and PMAC Standing and COPWE Central Committee members.
Comrade Chairman Mengistu's didectives focussed on the possibilities of hold-
ing party founding meetings at all levels as well as the measures that should
be taken to carry out successfully the workers party ccngress.
The Comrade Chairman said that the seminar had discussed in detail the efforts
made to strengthen the implementation of the Ethiopian Revolution and the need
to work closely with the working people. Comrade Chairman Mengistu said that
the participants are facing a heavy responsibility to translate into deeds the
directives and the important ideas they have gained during the seminar.
Earlier, Comrade Legesse gave a report on the deliberations of the seminar.
He stressed the emphasis given to the preparation of documents and to sensi-
tize cadres at different levels for the attainment of the desired objectives.
Comrade Legesse further noted the significance of the directive of Comrade
Chairman Mengistu Haile-Mariam at the beginning of the seminar and stated that
the directive would continue to serve as a guideline for future action.
In accordance with the programme charted out for the seminar, briefings to the
participants were given on different topics and democratic discussions on them
were held extensively, Comrade Legesse said, adding that the constructive
ideas and proposals forwarded by participants were the outcome of the demo-
cratic process that has been developed through organizational activities.
Not only was it possible to arrive at a consensus on documents considered dur-
ing the course of the seminar but it was also found out that fruitful ideas
had been gathered that would contribute towards the handling of pressing
issues as well as to achieve the ultimate objectives, Comrade Legesse said.
The seminar which was held at the assembly hall of the COPWE Central Commit-
tee, discussed among others the following topics: maintaining local safety
and security, implementation of financial and property administration, the
newly instituted structure and set up of discussion forums, propaganda and
cultural preparations for the tenth anniversary celebration of the Ethiopian
Revolution and various directives in connection with the Workers Party of
Ethiopia including those related to primary organizations and procedures con-
cerning meetings.
CSO: 3400/1044
ETHIOPIA
BRIEFS
YOUTHS IN PARTY FORMATION--Executive and control committee members of the Rev-
Olutionary Ethiopia Youth Association (REYA) in the capital yesterday helg a
half-day meeting at the Yekatit 66 Political School assembly hall and dis-
cussed the part they have to play in the preparation for party formation and
the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Ethiopian Revolution. Address-
ing the meeting, Comrade Mekbib Hilete, Chairman of the Addis Ababa REYA, said
that REYA bodies at different levels have to contribute their share in this
line in accordance with directives of the Seventh Plenum of the Central Com-
mittee of COPWE and the report presented by Comrade Mengistu Haile-Mariam,
Chairman of the PMAC and of COPWE and Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary
Armed Forces. Comrade Mekbib recalled in this connection the guidelines is-
sued to the youth and the resolution adopted recently by the seventh regular
meeting of the REYA Central Committee and stressed that special effort should
be devoted to the implementation of REYA's programme of action. Detailed
explanations were then given to the meeting by Comrade Zeribun Lemma, head o¢
organizational affairs of Addis Ababa REYA, regarding the general meeting
scheduled to be held by the Addis Ababa REYA on May 20, 1984. Attending
yesterday's meeting were members and officials of REYA branches of the Addis
Ababa University, the five provincial REYA branches, REYA offices of 25 higher
Urban Dwellers Associations (UDA) and REYA control committee members as wel]
as chairmen of 291 primary REYA associations. Topics discussed at the meeting
included preparation of youth for party formation, participation in production
and the National Military Service and the preparatory work for this week's
Addis Ababa REYA general meeting. [Text] [Addis Ababa THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD in
English 19 May 84 pp 1, 3]
CSO: 3400/1044
<a
GAMBIA
LONG TREASON TRIAL ENDS WITH DEATH SENTENCES
Dakar THE SENEGAMBIA SUN in English 30 Apr 84 p 1
[Article by Baboucar M. Gaye]
[Text ]
IN what has become the Gambia’s longest
running treason trial, 24 men have deen
convicted and sentenced to death for complicity
in the abortive coup in The Gambia of 30 July
1981. Of the 24 men, twelve are fieldforce men
while the other twelve are-civilians.
The twenty four convicted men were standing
trial together with six other men in this ma-
rathon treason trial which started on 24 No-
vember 1982 and has just come to an end. Of the
six other men, five have been acquitted and
discharged while the remaining accused person,
sub-Inspector Angsu Sawo, died in hospital du-
ring the couree of the trial. According to
informed sources, Ansu had been seriously
wounded at the time of the rebellion.
Among those acquitted and discharged are
three former fieldforces officers and one ci-
vilian, James Ogoo, a teacher. The fifth man
acquitted and discharged on all counts because
of inability to follow the proceedings of the trial
due to a hearing defect that led to his being
declared deaf by a medical officer.
The president judge in this trial was Justice
Macos Cole and it is expected that his present
judgement finally brings to an end the treason
trials resulting from the 30 July abortive coup,
CSO: 3400/1032
almost three years after the event. However
twelve other people are still in detention appa-
tly in connection with the abortive coup but it
is certain that even if they are going to be
tried it will not be for treason for the period for
such a charge has now lapsed.
Of the 1091 people detained for alleged
complicity in the abortive coup 188 were
charged and taken to court. Out of them, 137
were convicted and sentenced to various terms
of imprisonment for offences such as treason,
treasonable felony, murder and kidnapping.
Among the 1988 taken to court 50 were
acquitted and discharged by the courts while
three died naturally during the course of their
trials. Of the people charged with treason 63
were subsequently sentenced to death. But the
27, people sentenced to death and whose sen-
tences have been confirmed by the Court of
Appeal, have had their sentences commuted to
either life or 20 years imprisonment, as an act of
mercy on the part of Sir Dawda Jawara.
According to reliable sources, the Gambia
Government from early May 1982 to the end of
February 1984 has spent over 3 and half million
Dalasis on the remuneration of Judges, prosecu-
tors and defence counsel.
GHANA
PEOPLE'S MILITIA TRAINING INTENSIFIED
Accra PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC in English 16 May 84 pp 1, 5
[Article by Breda Atta-Quayson]
[Excerpts] THE training of the People's Militia has been stepped up to enable
the militiamen fight alongside regular forces in case of any attack on the
country.
As a result, 140 militiamen and women drawn from various corporations and de-
partments from the southern sector of the country are being given a three-day
intensive field training in conventional warfare.
The training code named, "Exercise Firm Grip" which started on Monday will end
tomorrow afternoon.
The main objective of the intensive training of the militiamen who have
already undergone three weeks basic military training at the various army
units is to instil discipline and sense of nationalism in them and also to
deploy them to supplement regular forces in times of crisis.
The militiamen are being taken through four phases of war--advance to contact,
attack, withdrawal and defence.
They are being assisted by regular troops made up of 20 non-commissioned offi-
cers and three commissioned officers.
The militiamen told newsmen who accompanied the Commander of the First Infan-
try Brigade, Colonel D. L. K. Klutsey who visited them at their training
grounds yesterday that the training has transformed them and has also given
them enough confidence to defend the revolution to the last man.
Colonel Klutsey who was accompanied by the Commanding Officer of the 5th Bat-
talion, Lt. Col. Stanley Issifua Braima and the Commanding Officer of the Mor-
tar Regiment, Lt. Col. Lamptey during the visit told the soldiers who are
assisting the militiamen in their training to teach them all the military tac-
tics so that they would not fail in times of war.
He further told the soldiers that the militiamen are not meant to take their
place but to fight alongside them when the need arises.
Col. Klutsey also advised the militiamen to be on their guard so that they are
not enticed by dissidents to join their ranks after their training.
Colonel Klutsey further told them: "By this training, we want to make you
more Ghanaian, more nationalistic and to love your country”.
To the women, Colonel Klutsey asked them to advise their husbands not to allow
themselves to be wooed by dissidents to join their ranks.
The participants are from Electricity Corporation of Ghana, Ghana Film Indus-
try Corporation, Customs and Excise Department, Ghana Ports Authority, Posts
and Telecommunications Corporation and Civil Aviation Department, Ghana Water
and Sewerage Corporation, Accra District Defence Committee and Ho.
They are being taken through the exercise by the regular militarymen from the
5th Battallion of Infantry.
According to Captain F. Mensah, officer-in-charge of the training, the mili-
tia-men who have knowledge of weapon handling are being drilled to cope with
obstacles like rivers and mountains.
He said the exercise would enable the trainees to know how to cope with ene-
mies or dissidents in forest areas.
CSO: 3400/1042
10
GHANA
DISSATISFACTION WITH PRICES AND INCOMES BOARD NOTED
Accra GHANAIAN TIMES in English 10 May 84 p 4
[Article by K. A. Serabour-Badu]
[Text] ONE area of concern which the country's various governments have tried
to wage relentless war against its notorious operation within the society with
little success is the commercial field. In spite of exercises of state
powers, individuals have still been manouvering to gain some upper hand
against the laudable efforts.
All manner of malpractices--from diversion of goods to hoarding; from selling
above control prices to over-invoicing and under-invoicing and a host of
others--are rampant everywhere despite repeated warnings and the intensifica-
tion of activities of security personnel. The least said about dictation by
traders of prices of their wares, the better.
It would be mere understatement to say that drivers connive with "bookmen" to
dominate operations at passenger lorry parks, to arbitrarily increase trans-
port fares.
For, all these are in the eyes of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union
(GPRIU) of TUC but the might of the ‘'bookmen' still rides on.
A quick glance at things also spots the Prices and Incomes Board (PIB) to be
in the "despatch box" to help ease existing arguing tension between the trad-
ing concerns.
Visits
But it appears something seems to be going wrong right there within that chal-
lenging public board. This is viewed from expression of dissatisfaction and
frequent calls on it by both private and public institutions to educate the
masses (especially traders and workers) and to "COME OUT WITH UNIFORM PRICES"
Or wages.
At least, the price Control Tribunals and the second-hand tyre dealers (speak-
ing through the Ashanti Tyre Remoulding Enterprises recently) are a few of the
peeved organizations which have of late, tackled their home work by reminding
the Board to sit up.
11
The bounden duty falls, primarily, on the PIB to be working out prices of
available local goods on the market to stui the PNDC's first financial policy
outdoored by the Finance and Economic Planning Secretary. Regular visits to
the mummy markets would reveal a lot cf ugly incidents. Controversy over how
much an item should sell is often created betwen traders and customers on one
hand and price control personnel on the other due to the absence of release of
control prices.
The failure, be it the result of refusal of traders to send their goods to the
PIB for price assessment or PIB's inability, leads to re-emergence of social
evil, it often encourages, intentionally or otherwise, as it had been the case
in the past, the bad nuts among members of the society to involve themselves
in trade malpractice which the on-going process is seriously fighting to elim-
inate.
Hence, of late, some servicemen and civilians under the guise of checking
prices of goods have been flooding the markets to do shopping but at the
expense of innocent traders.
The daily shopping in the markets by such men who have no official busines to
perform may, however, pose questions. Majority of uniformed personnel, for
obvious reasons, wear no identification or name tags as expected of them.
The rate at which scattered price control officials struggle in their numbers
among themselves to be first to inspect papers covering arriving goods leaves
much to be desired. Much more they remain posted to supervize the unloading
of goods into wholesale shops, perhaps to identify defaulting traders and
those who have paid customs duty.
It could, however, be possible, be it as it is now, that even some officials
and men would use the threat of their uniform and office to capitalize on the
lapse within the Prices and Incomes Board to aggravate the situation to
achieve some personal interest.
The mummy traders, in particular, suffer the more as price checkers fail, to a
large extent, to direct their swoops on main shops too, some of whom would be
found equally guilty.
It is only when public institutions are awakened during these trying moments
of our time that the masses of the people owuld live to be appreciative of
government efforts the more.
The Government's avowed determination to bring about social justice, especial-
ly in the commercial field no doubt depends, to a large extent, on the PIB's
ability to let their existence be fully felt.
CSO: 3400/1043
12
GHANA
MUSLIM COMMUNITY 'BICKERING' DISCUSSED
JFM Calls for Unity
Accra GHANAIAN TIMES in English 7 May 84 p 2
[Editorial: "Muslim Unity"]
[Text] THE national secretariat of the June Four Movement (JFM) has offered
to assist in resolving the leadership dispute between the Muslim factions in
the country. The JFM is concerned over the issue because it feels that peace
and unity in the Muslim front is vital for the forward advance of the
revolution.
There can be no question about the importance of the Muslim community in the
revolutionary process. For one thing, Muslims make up a big proportion of the
nation, a large number of them occupying very important regions of the country
whose welfare is demonstrably of fundamental interest to the revolutionary
leadership.
As never before in the history of the nation, Muslims have taken on frontline
responsibilities for the running of the affairs of the nation, with many of
them playing top roles in the revolutionary leadership both at the regional
and national levels. Hundreds of Muslims are among the most committed revo-
lutionary cadres and are rendering great patriotic services within the organs
of the revolution.
From the composition of all the new revolutionary structures that have been
established, right from the very top of the leadership to the grassroot formu-
lations, the responsibilities which Muslims have taken on for the onward
course of the revolutionary process are so truthworthy and engaging that
peace and unity in the Muslim front has become inseparable from peace and
unity in the revolutionary front.
Bickering
Sometimes we are tempted, when we see the bickering going on in the Muslim com-
munity, to call on such stalwarts of the revolutionary leadership as Naa
Polkuu Konkuu Chiiri, Col Seidu Ayumah, Alhaji M. Iddrisu, Alhaji Abubakr
Alhassan, and others to tell the Muslim leaders: ‘What is all this!"
For the first time in the history of this nation a Muslim annual celebration
was declared a NATIONAL holiday for all Muslims by the PNDC. This high recog-
nition of the national status of the Muslim community can only be considered
as the beginning of the greater strides which Muslims are bound to make within
the whole development of the revolution.
National unity is essential for the success of all the programmes which the
PNDC has designed for the recovery of the nation from the factors that have
bogged down her progress for so long. And just as the PNDC expects all sec-
tors, tribes, communities, regions, and groups of the country to contribute
equally to recovery tasks, so are all sectors, tribes, communities, regions,
and groups of the nation considered as equal partners in the share of the
wealth of the nation.
Therefore national unity is supported by the unity of all sections within the
national society, the unity of Muslims being major element in the national
whole. Thus, the stand being taken by the June Four Movement on the Muslim
leadership dispute is positive and must be pressed ahead until unity within
the ranks and leadership of the Muslim community is achieved.
GMRC Refuses to Arbitrate
Accra GHANAIAN TIMES in English 17 May 84 p 5
[Text] THE Ghana Muslims Representative Council (GMRC) has turned down an
offer by the June Four Movement to arbitrate and find solution to the conflict
within the Muslim Community, because such an arbitration exercise would be
tantamount to contempt of court.
A letter addressed to the June Four Movement explained that the latter Muslim
Group had been ordered by an Accra High court to suspend all group meetings
and activities pending its final ruling.
It sand, "under such a situation it is feared your kind request if accepted at
present will be tantamount to contempt of court".
The GMRC thanked the June Four Movement for showing concern and consideration
on the issue.
CSO: 3400/1629
14
GHANA
DECENTRALIZATION POLICY FOR GRASSROOT PARTICIPATION INITIATED
Accra GHANAIAN TIMES in English 7 May 84 pp l, 3
[Text] THE programme for the creation of village, town and area councils in
the Ho District took off at Matse last Friday.
It is the first step towards the implementation of the decentralization policy
for grassroot participation in the administration of the country.
Addressing the chiefs and people of Matse on the programme, the Ho District
Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Bosson, said the councils should be economically via-
ble to be less dependant on the central government for development projects.
The people, he said, were expected to choose their own councillors who should
be able to initiate and plan development projects, with emphasis on food
production.
He warned against chieftaincy and land disputes and the practice of land-
owners demanding a third of farm produce from tenant farmers.
This system, he noted encouraged laziness among landowners and discouraged the
farmers from acquiring more land for farming.
Mr Bosson said a number of committees would be set up in all the council areas
on food production and storage, mass education, health environmental develop-
ment and afforestation, finance, traditional arbitration and identification of
viable projects.
The others are economic development and commerce social services and adminis-
tration of justice utility services administration and budgeting and planning
development and mobilization.
Describing the councils as the bedrock for the development of the country he
advised that competent people should be appointed to these committees.
CSO: 3400/1042
15
LATE MARCH RAINS INCREASE MAIZE HARVEST ESTIMATE
Harare THE FINANCIAL GAZETTE in English 18 May 84 p 7
[Text ]
SOME badly -aeeded good news on
the maize front is that the late
March rains have belped tc incre-
ase the original estimate of a total
maize intake this season by ano-
ther 100 000 tonnes.
Mr R A Winkfield, production
and extension executive of the
Grain Producers’ Association, told
The Gazette this week that the late
rains had been a bonus for produ-
cers and the country.
*“*We are now looking for an
increase Over Our Original estimate
of about 600 000 tonnes of maize.
There is a good chance that the
total intake could rise to some
700 000 .tonnes in all, as bushel
weight and hectare production
have improved, thanks to the
rains,’” he said.
Zimbabwe's total maize consu-
mption is 1,2 million tonnes and
rising. Allowing for some 57 500
tonnes of maize granted by several
countries recently, this leaves a
shortage of at least 400 000 tonnes
needed, if some form of maize
rationing is to be avoided.
The local producers will be paid
$140 per tonne for their crop of
some 700 000 tonnes. This will cost
the Grain Marketing Board about
$98 million.
But the balance of 400 000
tonnes to be imported will cost
between $300 to $350 a tonne in
local currency, including delivery
costs, according to informed esti-
mates. Much of this imported
maize will be of the yellow variety.
These estimates are based on
costs already incurred by Britain,
America and the European Econo-
mic Community in sending maize
donations to the Zimbabwe Gover-
nment, in order to generate local
funds to help the country in this
third drought year.
Most of these maize donations
pass through the Grain Marketing
Board and must be paid for, whe-
ther by the Department of Social
Services for drought relief
schemes. or by millers for commer -
cial distribution. The present rate
of payment is believed to be $157
per tonne plus the value of the
maize bags.
But t heprice of imported maize
through the Grain Marketing
Board may have to go much higher
in the near future unless the gover-
nment subsidises part of ihe extra
costs involved.
The American government rece-
ntly donated 30000 tonnes of
yellow maize at a total cost of
about US$10,9 million to
Zimbabwe and agreed to pay tran-
sport costs.
The cost of this maize in Ame-
rica was US$144 per tonne (about
$169 Zimbabwe dollars). Delivery
costs to Durban, the original desti-
nation, was US$76 a tonne. But
the ship had to be diverted to Port
Elizabeth at an extra cost of US$75
a tonne so that total costs involved
were US$295 or about Z$347, deli-
vered in Zimbabwe.
It is understood that Zimbabwe
will pay part of the extra costs as a
penalty clause was involved for the
re-counting of the maize to Port
Elizabeth. This is now the only
port where maize for Zimbabwe
can be unloaded because the Dur-
ban and Cape Town ports are
being reserved fos South Africa’s
Own maize imports.
As Port Elizabeth has limited
bulk loading facilities, its use nece-
ssitates extra costs. Only 50 000
tonnes of maize a month can be
handled at this port and so it all
has to be bagged and put on rail
(two trains a day).
GHANA
CSO:
3400/1030
The second maize grant from the
British Government of 10000
tonnes af white maize from
Malawi was bought at US$168
(about $190) per tonne and trans-
port costs on trucks via Tete to
Zimbabwe were about Z$100 a
tonne, or a total of about Z$290
per tonne. The full amount invol-
ved in this grant by the British
Government is about $3 million in
local currency.
A third maize grant was annou-
need last week by the European
Economic Commission Commis-
sion which is sendir.g Zimbabwe
17 500 tonnes of white maize from
Malawi as emergency food relief
intended to generate counterpart
funds here for drought assistance.
Again, the cost of the Malawi
maize was US$168 or Z$190 per
tonne. Transport costs have not yet
been finalised but are likely to be
at least Z$100 per tonne.
The total involved in this grant is
about US$3,3 million, said an EEC
spokesman in Harare this week.
These maize grants amount to
$7 $00 tonnes of maize for Zimba-
bwe, leaving the country with a
shortfall of about 400 000 tonnes
to be imported.
It is believed that some importa-
tions are likely to come from Thai-
land. The cost of the maize and
transport from that country is not
known.
It is also believed that the Grain
Marketing Board is to buy another
40 000 tonnes of white maize now
on option from Malawi at the
ruling price of US$168 a tonne plus
transport costs of at least $100.
So depending on the sources of
the imported maize and the trans-
port routes, the cost per tonne of
the imported white or yellow maize
could vary from $300 per tonne up
to about $350 a tonne in local cur-
rency.
With some 400 000 tonnes invo-
‘Ived, the fina! bill payable in
foreign currency is likely to be well
above the conservative estimate of
$120 million for imported maize to
last until April next year.
It is also certain that the cost of
buying the maize by consumers in
Zimbabwe will be far higher than
the price of locally grown maize,
unless the government subsidises a
large part of the cost involved.
17
GHANA
BREAD NOT AVAILABLE DESPITE LARGE WHEAT IMPORTS
Flour Kalabule
Accra PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC in English 14 May 84 p 2
[Editorial:
"Who Else Can We Trust?"
[Text] EXACTLY a week ago we com- towns people are complaining
mented on the disappearance of
bread from shops and elsewhere
and noted with regret that this
should be happening at a time
when large quantities of wheat
had been imported and supplied
to the flour mills.
We stated at that time that there
were discrepancies between the
quantities of wheat delivered to
the flour mills and the quantity
of flour produced and the quan-
tity of flour distributed.
The “Graphic” has learnt that even
though a bag of flour should sell
at €795 it is being sold at
£4,000. What is painful to us on
this paper is that people who live
in areas where such transac-
tions takeplace prefer to look the
other way while the transactions
take place only to grumble later
in undertones.
So far the “‘Graphic’”’ has publish-
ed only one case where a woman
was apprehended at Asylum
Down in Accra by the Zone Nine
Secretariat of PDCs upon a tip-
off. This is absolutely ridiculous
considering the fact that all over
the city of Accra, other cities and
about the scarcity of bread.
Where do the other kalabule
middiemen do business? In the
bowels of the earth?
In the Asylum Down case the wo-
man confessed having bought
the flour from registered bakers.
And this adds another dimen-
sion to the other known conduit
for flour supplies which is work-
. ers who are bent on profiting
from their work places. The re-
gistered baker who should be
serving the public is now in lea-
ue with flour speculators. WHO
LSE CAN WE TRUST?
Without doubt the working party
which has been set up under the
Ministry of Industries to look into
~ anomalies related to flour has a
big job on its hands. But we think
that the party’s work can never.
really be satisfactorily accom-
plished without the help of the
people who see flour unloaded
under the cover of darkness and
do not report to the appropriate
quarters so that the source can
be traced.
it Is clear that so far the majority of the
people are wont to shout liberation and
not act it. We will like to remind Gha-
naians that itis the peopie who must be
the instrument for their own social
liberation.
Today it is bread, tomorrow it may be
cloth and so forth. The cheats are
creeping back gradually and we urge
the mass of the people not to stand and
stare. There is no end to the struggle of
liberation until society has been trans-
formed. That is where freedom begirs.
Accra Bakers Given Ultimatum
Accra PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC in English 15 May 84 p 5
[Text ] THE Secretary for Trade, Mr Ato Ahwoi, has
threatened to cancel flour allocations for small-
scale bakers in the Greater Accra Region if bakers
failed to make bread availabie to the public within a
week.
Addressing the small-seale bakers at the Trade Fau
Site in Accra yesterday, the Secretary wondered why
Greater Accra vith a weekly allocation of 4,000 bags of
flour could not produce bread tor the public while other
regions with lesser allocations were baking enough bread
He said the allocation tor small-scale bakers would be
mven to bakers who are seen to be baking and not the
ghost bakers
Mr Ahwoi cited the Eastern Region, and specitica'ls
mentioned Nsawam where bread ts always available, even
though the region's allocation was only 1,500 bags a week
He warned that i there were ghost bakers in the region,
they should withdraw from the association before they
were found out, adding “We believe some of you just
collect your allocation to re-sell at exorbitant prices to
other users of flour”.
Mrs Aanaa Enin, a member ot the PNDC, also warned
that the government would not hesitate to add flour to
the list off specified commodities which could not be sold
on the free market.
Mrs Enin accused the women of having started the old
tricks the, were playing and advised them to change tor
the better.
She said by their behaviour they were helping to
destroy the good name of the PNDC Government
The PNIDC member announced that Mataheko zone
ly of the Bakers Association would no longer be given its
allocation of flour until members settle the quarrel
among them
CSO: 3400/1029
19
FOOTDRAGGING ON REDEPLOYMENT EXERCISE DISCUSSED
GHANA
Accra PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC in English 8 May 84 p 2
[Editorial: "“Redeployment Revisited"]
Excerpts] AT the end of April, the deadline
given by the Manpower Utilisa-
tion Committee for the sut ‘is-
sion of appraisal reports by civil
and public institutions, only 20
such establishments had
submitted their reports.
Now a week into May. 65 more
appraisal reports have reached
the committee. We will concede
that there are genuine problems
which are making the comple-
tion and submission of some of
the reports difficult.
However, we also believe that
much bickering and unneces-
sary intra-departmental argu-
ments as to who should be re-
deployed or not are the inain
causes for some of the delays.
power Utilisation Committee has
Stated.
itis often said that Ghanaians have
the habit of praising a new
scheme at the mere mention of it
only to turn round the next mi-
nute to condemn it. When the
idea for redeployment of redun-
dant labour was first mooted it
was re-echoed on every political
platform in every nook and
cranny. Now that the time has
. come to implement it the same
people who lauded the idea are
now balking and making its im-
plementation difficult.
ft is also clear that for fear of being called
names, and maybe losing friends,
some of those involved in the reap-
praisal exercise are stalling and giving
various excuses why they cannot con-
tinue with the exercise.
The “People’s Daily Graphic” We urge those organisations which are
finds it very difficult to agree that
lack of stationery should be
counted as a main reason for
delaying the submission of the
appraisal reports in certain ca-
ses, as a member of the Man-
CSO: 3400/1043
20
delaying their reports to get on with the
work and submit them without anymore
delays. We think that it isabout time the
Manpower Utilisation Committee got
on the backs of the defaulting organi-
sations and stirred them in the ribs in
' order to achieve the ultimate goal.
GHANA
BRIEFS
GMRC RECEIVES GOVERNMENT ALLOCATIONS--THE Government has allocated large quan-
tities of food items to the Ghana Muslims Representative Council (GMRC) for
distribution to Muslims throughout the country, in connection with the impend-
ing Ramadan festival. The items are 20,000 bags of maize; 10,000 bags of
rice; 1,500 bags of sugar and 200 cartons of edible oil. The items will be
fairly distributed to branches of the council in all the ten regions of the
country, as well as all Islamic organizations within and outside the GMRC. A
release from the council yesterday requested all regional secretaries of the
council as well as representatives of all Islamic organization to contact the
National Co-ordinator Al-hajj Mohammed Alhassan and the national treasurer,
Alhaji Abdulai Williams, for their allocations for lifting to their various
regions before the commencement of the Ramadan. [Text] [Accra GHANAIAN TIMES
in English 12 May 84 p 3]
LAND POLITICS--THE Ga Rural District Defence Committee has warned chiefs and
landlords not to play politics with the land to frustrate farmers wishing to
cultivate the land to produce more food. A statement signed by Mr Kwao
Sackey, the District Co-ordinator, said the District Secretariat had learned
of the activities of certain chiefs and landowners who were playing dirty
politics with the land, a situation which was hindering farming activities in
the district. It, therefore, warned that until the farming season was over,
no landlord should retrieve any land from a farmer. Even then, it said, this
would be after the landlord 'has convinced the secretariat beyond all doubt
that he would need the land for farming." Meanwhile, the secretariat has ap-
pealed to all farmers who have problems of such nature to report immediately
at the district secretariat or any of its five zonal offices for prompt ac-
tion. [Text] [Accra GHANAIAN TIMES in English 16 May 84 p 8]
AGONA DISTRICT LAND DISPUTES--THE Agona District Council has given all those
currently engaged in land disputes in the district up till the end of next
month to get those disputes settled or forfeit their lands which will be taken
over by the council and leased out to needy farmers. To make the action ef-
fective, the council has charged the District Defence Committee to furnish it
with a list of all lands under dispute. The Agona District Secretary, Mr
Kwame Forson, gave this warning on Monday when he inspected a piece of land
currently under dispute at Gomoa Odumase in the Central Region. Mr Forson
said as a result of many land disputes most of the lands which could be put
under cultivation to produce more food to feed the nation were now lying idle.
He stated that the land under dispute was leased to British Petroleum Ghana
Limited by the chiefs and elders of Agona Asafo. Now part of the 3.2 square
kilometre land is being claimed by the people of Gomoa Odumase, and this has
halted farming activity on the land. The District Council has, meanwhile,
ruled that the British Petroleum should be allowed to continue working on the
land until the case is heard at the end of the month. [Emelia-Owoo] [Text] ©
[Accra GHANAIAN TIMES in English 16 May 84 p 8]
CONGESTED PORTS--THE Ghana Shippers’ Council has directed all importers and
Shippers with goods at the ports to clear them by May 15. This, according to
a release from the Council yesterday, was to ease the current congestion at
the sheds and pave the way for easy delivery of expected cargoes. The re-
lease, said, large quantities of goods imported by the Government as well as
food aid donated by friendly countries and other agencies were expected at the
ports between now and the middle of the month. "Unfortunately, the ports are
seriously choked by cargoes which had not been cleared by importers." The
Council, the statement said, was reliably informed that all cargoes not
Cleared from the Port by the middle of the month would be conveyed to ware-
houses outside the Port and consignees would bear the cost of transportation
and handling. [Excerpt] [Accra GHANAIAN TIMES in English 8 May 84 p 3]
EEC EMERGENCY DROUGHT AID-~-THE European Economic Community (EEC) has granted
Ghana emergency aid worth about ¢48 million for drought victims. In a message
to the Chairman of the PNDC, Flt-Lt J. J. Rawlings, Mr Edward Pisani, member
of the Commission of the European communities, said that arrangements for
implementing the aid which is non-reimbursable would be worked out between
Ghana Government and the European Commission delegate in Ghana. [Text] [Accra
GHANAIAN TIMES in English 12 May 84 p 3]
EEC GRANT FOR GHANA--THE European Economic Community (EEC) is to grant Ghana
8,000 tons of cereals for free distribution to the people under its emergency
food aid programme. The grant which will be equivalent to 2,700 tons of rice
if Ghana opts for rice will arrive in the country soon, Mr D. W. Schmidt, del-
egate of the Commission of the European Community in Ghana, has disclosed. Mr
Schmidt was speaking during a working visit he paid to Commodore S. G. Obim-
peh, Chairman of the National Mobilisation Committee (NMC), at the Trade Fair
Site in Accra yesterday. He said another consignment of 8,000 tons of rice is
expected in the country from the EEC by the end of this month and will be sold
to the people through the GNIC. Proceeds from the sale, Mr Schmidt hinted,
will be used on projects beneficial to the people of Ghana. The delegate an-
nounced that under a special emergency aid being offered by the Commission to
15 drought stricken West African countries, 1.72 million dollars has been al-
located to Ghana to either purchase seed for cultivation, transportation of
seed and or transportation of relief food aid. [Debrah Fynn] [Excerpt] [Accra
PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC in English 3 May 84 p 5]
JAPANESE RICE DONATION--THE Government of Japan has donated 6,024 metric
tonnes of rice to the people of Ghana to alleviate food shortages in the coun-
try. The rice, worth about ¢28 million and which is being off-loaded at the
Tema port, was officially handed over to the Ghana Government yesterday by Mr
Akira Hoshino, Charge d'Affaires of the Japanese Emabassy in Ghana. [Debrah
Fynn] [Excerpt] [Accra PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC in English 15 May 84 p 1]
22
NEW TOGO BORDER MEASURES--BORDER Guard authorities in the Volta Region have
introduced new stringent measures to check the illegal movement of people
across the country's border with Togo. According to the new measures which
were introduced about two weeks ago, any guardsman who assists anybody to
cross the border through an unapproved route will face instant dismissal.
Sources close to the Aflao border station disclosed that anybody who is ar-
rested for entering the country through an unapproved route will receive
corporal punishment apart from forfeiting all items found on him or her. A
border guard official told newsmen at Aflao that the new measures have become
necessary because of the rate at which people continue to cross the border
without observing the country's immigration laws. Moreover, he added, Ghana's
eastern border with Togo remains an important one in view of constant
dissident activities. He went further to say that the new measures will help
in correcting allegations being made by some members of the general public
that guardsmen assist travellers to cross the border after extorting various
sums of money from them. On the otherhand any one who comes in through an
unapproved route will be made to go through the normal immigration formalities
and pay duties on goods brought in where necessary. For those who attempt to
enter Togo illegally, the official said, all foreign currencies found on such
people will be confisticated to the state before being allowed to go back to
wherever they came from. [Stephen Kofi Akordor] [Text] [Accra PEOPLE'S DAILY
GRAPHIC in English 23 May 84 p 1]
MEDIA TIES WITH USSR--GHANA and the Soviet Union are to undertake a bilateral
exchange programme in information and media work. This forms part of a recent
cultural agreement signed between the two countries. As part of the pro-
gramme, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and its Soviet counterpart, the Telegraph-
ic Agency of the Soviet Union (TASS) would forge a closer co-operation. Pre-
liminary discussions on the major areas of co-operation were held yesterday
when the Soviet Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Mr V. M. Semen-
ov, paid a courtesy call on the Secretary for Information, Miss Joyce Aryee at
her office in Accra. The areas of co-operation would cover radio and televi-
sion news and newsreel, cinematography and news agency work. [Joe Bradford
Nyinah] [Excerpt] [Accra PEOPLE'S DAILY GRAPHIC in English 3 May 84 p 1]
NEW COCOA PRICE--THE Ghana Cocoa Board yesterday announced new producer prices
for cocoa, coffee and sheanuts. Under the new arrangements, which come into
effect from the beginning of the 1984 mid-crop season, a headload of 30 kil-
grammes of grades 1 and 2 cocoa will now attract a price of ¢900, or £30,000
per tonne. Coffee will also be bought at £900 per 30 kilogrammes or ¢30,000
per tonne: During the last season, the board paid ¢600 per headload of 30
kilogrammes for both commodities. According to a release issued in Accra yes~
terday, sheanut will be bought at @1,080 per bag of 62.5 kilograms or ¢17,280
per metric tonne The old price was ¢720 per bag. The release explained that
prices for the commodities would be subject to periodic review by the Producer
Price Review Committee, comprising representatives of the Government, the
Cocoa Board and farmers. [Text] [Accra GHANAIAN TIMES in English 3 May 84
pp 1, 3]
FOOD PRODUCTION IMPROVES--Accra, 1 Jun (AFP)--The return of normal rains after
two years of drought should enable Ghana to meet its essential food needs this
year, experts said here. In 1982 and 1983 drought and the unexpected return
of a million Ghanaians expelled from Nigeria brought the country close of
famine, especially in the center and north. But relatively abundant rain
over the past few weeks has improved the situation greatly, and fruit and
vegetables are plentiful in the markets. Experts of international organisa-
tions said that the cereal shortage for the country's 13 million people would
only amount to 50,000 tons in 1984, a fifth of the amount the government re-
quested in emergency aid at the end of last year. Of this amount, 100,000
tons is already on its way from donor countries, principally the United
States, the European Economic Community and Australia, giving the country
an expected safety margin of 50,000 tons. The rains, while not excessive,
have saved Ghana from a potentially disastrous situation, experts said.
Basic crops, including maize, manoic, and cassava, have been planted in abun-
dance and promise a good harvest, they added. [Text] [ABO010908 Paris AFP
in English 0849 GMT 1 Jun 84]
CSO: 3400/1054
24
GUINEA-BISSAU
VISIT OF PRC AMBASSADOR CONFIRMS GOOD RELATIONS
Bissau NO PINTCHA in Portuguese 4 Apr 84 p 5
[Text] Diplomatic relations between China and Guinea date back 10 years,
more specifically to 15 March 1974. To commemorate this date, the ambassador
of the People's Republic of China accredited to our country, Comrade Hu
Jingrui, held a press conference.
The points taken up by the Chinese diplomat, particularly where relations in
the political, economic, scientific, technical and cultural realms between
our two countries and governments are concerned, clarify the continuing dia-
logue which has always characterized the friendship between the two peoples
since the days of our national liberation struggle.
China was one of the first countries to recognize Guinea-Bissau shortly after
the proclamation of its existence in the forests of Boe. After it achieved
total independence, the exchange in the political field increased substan-
tially. The visit paid to China by President Joao Bernardo Vieira in 1980
opened up new prospects for the relations between the two countries. In the
words of Comrade Hu Jingrui, "this contact between the two delegations in-
creased the understanding between the two states and governments and estab-
lished the solid foundations for the development of relations between our two
countries."
Speaking of cooperation in the realm of health, Comrade Hu Jingrui promised
that his country will aid Guinea-Bissau by sending medical equipment to
“improve health conditions," and he added that "our two governments are
currently planning to build a new hospital in Canchungo, which will have 100
beds and will be able to see 300 outpatients daily."
The Carantaba rice cultivation project was mentioned by the diplomat, who
regards it as "rather feasible, since it may yield 2 tons per hectare."
But cooperation between China end Guinea-Bissau is not limited to the fields
mentioned. It goes much farther. Thus the craft sector has not been
neglected. Commenting on this, Comrade Hu Jingrui said that the bamboo
project has already involved the training of tens of young Guinean citizens
who are now producing numerous articles with the raw materials produced in
Guinea-Bissau.
The demand for these products on the domestic market far exceeds the supply.
New Stadium Construction
Moreover, the Chinese diplomat nected that a new stadium will be built in
Bissau with Chinese aid to accommodate 15,000 spectators. It will also have
modern equipment.
Later on, Hu Jingrui said that our friendly relations were based on solid
foundations and he stressed that "this represents the aspirations of the two
peoples," since they share the same past of suffering and "it is now neces-
sary to face a common task, which is the building of our two countries."
5157
CSO: 3442/378
26
GUINEA-BISSAU
DEPA INTRODUCES NEW RICE-GROWING TECHNIQUES
Bissau NO PINTCHA in Portuguese 12 May 84 pp 4-5
[Text] Award Recipients
During the popular gathering marking the harvest celebration organized by the
DEPA [Agriculture Experimentation and Research Department], awards were dis-
tributed to farmers who did outstanding work not only in rice production but
in connmction with other crops, truck garden vegetables among them, as well.
Center Director Malam Sadjo described them as “the implementers of the advice
of our technicians, from planting and transplanting in the proper season
through the other operations.
"On the other hand," that DEPA official went on to say, "they accepted and
applied the innovations we introduced, such as transplanting in rows, and the
use of organic or mineral fertilizers, among other things."
The awards were presented to the following individuals: first prize, Braima
Djalo, of Sonaco (Gabu region), who received a donkey cart, and who "was
first in the application of the new measures introduced, encouraging his
colleagues in the use of the row transplanting method, which although it
takes more time, ensures better results."
Ia Mussa Fati, of Jabicunda (Bafata region), "a member of the bread [bolanha]
committee and exemplary farmer, always able to find the words to mobilize his
colleagues thanks to tangible results," winning him the second prize, a plow.
Binta Embalo, of Contuboel (Bafata), is an “exemplary woman, always to be
seen in the uniform of the DEPA, active not only in cultivating rice but
garden crops as well." She received the third prize, a set of gardening
equipment.
Ladde Balde, of Candjai (Bafata), in turn, has “contributed to the project
for 2 years, setting an example in all respects. He even denounced a member
of the bolanha committee for his settlement [tabanca] who attempted to mis-
appropriate his colleagues’ funds, thus saving the project. A tireless worker
in every regard," he won, as the fourth prize, a sowing machine.
In his speech during the ceremony, Malam Sadjo urged the peasants to exert
still further effort, stating that the fact that they received awards does
not mean that they are better workers than the rest, but only that they were
more dedicated and made a little more effort.
This event, he said, should even further encourage their comrades so that, as
happened in other years, they will become worthy of a number of other awards
which our government, through the Ministry of Rural Development, has been
presenting to the best peasants, the main workers in the policy of self-
sufficiency in food.
DEPA--A Step Toward Self-Sufficiency
The DEPA represents a step forward in the policy defined by our government to
achieve self-sufficiency in food, particularly with regard to the production
of rice, the basis of the diet of the people.
This concern, often voiced by our leaders (despite the fact that the develop-
ment strategy, which relies mainly on agriculture on a priority basis, was
not properly oriented during the early years of independence), is very clear
in the numerous projects related to agriculture in the various regions of the
country, and resulting from the support of numerous organizations and friend-
ly countries.
The DEPA is an example of this. According to the official in charge of the
center, Comrade Malam Sadjo, this is clear to all except those who do not
want to see or who have not crossed the bridge linking Bafata and Contuboel,
since it is very evident to the eyes of any traveler. There are hundreds of
hectares of land located on both sides of the road which were yesterday a
real quagmire in which vehicles bogged down, where today a broad field is
covered with spreading green, with golden stalks waving in the wind, herald-
ing a fine harvest and abundance.
There are the some 49 hectares of bolanhas which the committee visited in
Sonaco (only one plot, moreover, because of the late hour), where Dr Celestino
Costa, the health official for the Bafata region, symbolically cut the first
of the rice, in an atmosphere of celebration provided by the people by means
of dances to the accompaniment of drums and ‘djidius*, while groups of women
and girls from Sonaco and the surroundings flooded into the locality to cele-
brate the beginning of the harvest.
Other examples are seen in the laboratory, regarded as one of the best on our
Western coast by the visitors (who included the executive secretary of the
WARDA [West Africa Rice Development Association], Hyachinte Leroux, during
the Bissau meeting), and the machinery (including tractors, mechanical plant-
ers and combines, simple and mechanical sprayers, a harvester and a thresher,
to mention only the most important). This machinery, according to Comrade
Malam Sadjo, will make it possible in a period of less than 5 years to mecha-
nize seed production 100 percent.
Secrets of Success
The success of this project is however closely linked with the problem of the
lack of infrastructures, above all food installations and supplies, which is
28
also reflected in the manpower shortage. Even so, the results achieved to
date by the DEPA justify hopes for a promising future.
For example, using selected seed (generally of the Ikong Pao short-cycle
type, although for about 3 months the use of BG 90-2 instead has been under
study), the project succeeded in distributing 100 tons of improved seed to
all the regions of country last year, with 25 tons even being left over.
Payment for the seed is taxed at 10 percent, a level the technicians regard
as reasonable, given the increase in rice crop yields seen in recent years.
The results, as we were able to see in the field, are the product of serious
work and dedication by the technicians anc peasants, who are organized and
staffed on the level of the bolanha committees, which are responsible for the
administration of farm credit, the distribution of bolanhas and the mainte-
nance of motor pumps, in which connection they can always rely on the techni-
cal aid of the DEPA cadres.
The gradual mechanization of rice cultivation (despite the priority given the
use of draft animals, regarded as more practical and cheaper), the use of
organic fertilizer instead of the more expensive chemical ones (which we dis-
cuss elsewhere), the rotation system designed to avoid the exhaustion of
the land, and also the digging of ditches to allow the collection of water
and to facilitate irrigation--all these are also factors which have weighed
heavily in the results obtained by the center.
However, a number of conditions have affected the work of our technicians,
in particular the irregularity of the rainfall, most needed in the month of
October when there is often the least of it, as well as the predations of
insects and birds. The lack of a motor pump for irrigation has forced the
center to abandon the expansion of the irrigated areas this year, although
plans for the future call for the building of small dams, which will be able
to store water and, when there is little rainfall, can be opened to provide
supplementary irrigation.
According to Comrade Malam Sadjo, there is financing and three tabancas have
already been selected for the test experiment, which will begin this year at
a tabanca located near Contuboel, measuring about 10 hectares. Financing is
now available and a technician is in the field to work on the project.
Later, plans call for expanding the area to about 400 hectares, which sug-
gests a total of something like 1,200 hectares for the two phases.
Some Innovations Made
Another DEPA policy is to encourage the peasants to use all of the land,
unlike the traditional method which involves the use of only about 80 percent
of it. But, according to Malam Sadjo, with the launching of the project, not
only the use of selected seeds but also crop cultivation methods, such as the
use of organic as well as mineral fertilizers, have been introduced.
"Here in Sonaco," he explained, "we see an innovation which has not yet been
put to use in the other areas, since there are peasants who are planting in
29
rows and on the other hand are using more organic and mineral fertilizer.
This will alleviate the problem we encountered last year with the shortage of
mineral fertilizer, which comes a bit dear. The peasants themselves have
reached the conclusion that by using organic fertilizers, they obtain a
greater yield than with mineral fertilizer, although there are some who still
use both types together. But there was one particular case in which a peas-
ant in a test used only organic fertilizer, and he told us he had achieved
good results. Therefore," our interlocutor concluded, "these three factors--
selected seed, fertilizers and plant health products--will contribute greatly
to increasing productivity."
A Bit of History
The Contuboel project was launched in 1977, with financing from the govern-
ment of the United States, through its International Agency for Development
(USAID). It was divided into two phases, involving $250,000 initially and
$4.5 million in this second phase which will run through 1985.
At the beginning there was only one tabanca in Contuboel involved, and about
350 families were included in the project. But after the explanation of the
goals of the center provided by the technicians, some families withdrew since
they did not believe in the possibility of successful rice growing in the dry
season. For, they believed, in the approximately 528 years the Portuguese
were in Guinea, they never did this and therefore we could not.
As a result, of the 350 families, only 12 remained, and they began the ex-
periment with an area of 6 hectares. But, Malam Sadjo told us, the success
achieved mobilized many people (since formerly, the yield per hectare ranged
between 400 and 600 kilograms, while on the contrary, the production came to
4 toms per hectare during the first year of the experiment).
"Obviously, this was in the dry season, when various factors intervened as is
known to us all, such as the lack of rainfall last year, for example. But
between 1977 and 1984 the number of families involved increased from 12 to
1,700, and the number of tabancas increased to 35 and the area to 750 hectares
at present, that is on the project level. What is limiting us considerably
is a problem of motor pumps, preventing us from meeting the constant requests
from the peasants. As a result we will not attempt this year to expand the
irrigated area, but will work with small dams which will retain water and
when there is a rainfall shortage, these dams can be opened to provide sup-
plementary irrigation."
Speaking of the mechanization project, this center official said that the
introduction of these machines will alleviate the manpower shortage problem.
This is the case with the harvester, which cuts and binds the rice in a
single operation, leaving only the transportation to man, as well as the
semimechanical transplanter, which we plan to introduce in a few years, such
as to minimize the manpower shortage encountered from the soil preparation
stage to that of harvesting.
"Therefore," he said, “in order to minimize this shortage, we intend to
mechanize the multiplication of seed 100 percent, in other words crop raising
will not be done manually nor with draft animals, but rather using machines,
while at the same time we are trying to introduce the harvester for the
gathering of the crop."
Farm Sector and Health
During the meeting with the people (at which prizes were awarded to the most
outstanding farmers, as we described above), both the DEPA technicians and
the regional official himself spoke of the importance of the project with a
view to guaranteeing self-sufficiency for our people in food. Malam Sadjo
said this will represent yet one less burden for our government, without
which, in the words of Comrade Vasco Salvador Correia, "our party and govern-
ment will not be able to plan for other achievements."
Taking advantage of the presence at the ceremony of the regional official and
Dr Celestino Costa, regional health director, Malam Sadjo warned of the need
for better aid to the people of Contuboel, "the largest sector in the region,
where during the preceding farm season, about 60 children died for lack of
medical aid, which is practically nonexistent here in this sector, where
pregnant women continue to die in childbirth due to the lack of vehicles for
transport to hea'th facilities. We cannot ask our people to work without
guaranteeing them minimal aid, because no one ca work without health."
Speaking in turn, both Aladje Braima Cisse of Contuboel, a member of the
bolanha committee; Buba Sauani; Ioba Cande; Djabu Cande; and Ulata Balde (a
member of the bolanha committee), all of Sonaco, expressed their satisfaction
with the results achieved in the harvest, which they said has been the best
of any year, “thanks to the DEPA." It should be noted that Djabu Cande (who
expressed his happiness with some dance steps to the accompaniment of a drum,
despite his 60 years) is the owner of the bolanha where the symbolic cutting
of the rice took place.
In their speeches, and specifically that of Aladje Braima Sisse, who spoke on
behalf of the people of Contuboel, and in their statements to our reporter,
these individuals stressed the need for better health aid to the people "so
that we can work still harder," as Aladji Cisse put it, as well as prompt and
timely distribution of working materials and other production factors.
In response, Comrade Vasco Salvador Correia confirmed regional executive
support of the DEPA undertakings, since "we cannot in any way plan to under-
take other things if we do not devote ourselves to agriculture." He said
that "any individual, if he does not have enough to eat, can hardly think of
other things," and "in order to think of doing other valuable things, one
must have a guarantee of food for the family at home."
The DEPA project, Vasco Salvador Correia said, like that in Caboxanque in
the southern part of the country, "has really served to demonstrate the great
capacity and yield for which it was established by the government." This is
the reason for the thanks expressed by our government to the financing
bodies, whose representatives were present, and who "were able to see that
this financing is really being applied in practice to the benefit of our
people."
31
This was also the reason for the decision adopted at the meeting of the
regional executive branch to require any citizen who does not want to work,
and who is at this decisive moment of preparations for the farm season
planning to travel to the frontier or to Bissau or another urban center,
or is setting up tables to sell packets of cigarettes and boxes of matches,
to return to the rural sector. "These people are not thinking about this
decisive time in which all of us, men and women, as has been demonstrated
here in Contuboel, must make an effort to prepare the land where rice, corn,
cassava, and potatoes can be raised and can later provide food."
DAPOG--A Profitable Innovation
Among the innumerable innovations made in the process of raising rice by the
DEPA, the so-called DAPOG seed bed system, regarded as most feasible and
practical by those familiar with the subject, without a doubt stands out. It
is mainly used in Asian countries and is not at all widespread in the Western
African region of which our country is a part.
The system (which engineer Carlos Silva (Pepito) says is a great innovation
by DEPA technician Alfredo) enables the peasants to solve the problem of
transporting the rice from the seedbeds, generally prepared at home, to the
bolanha. Thus the rice can be carried even under the arm, provided it is
properly rolled in the banana leaf or other material used.
But how is a DAPOG seedbed prepared? This precisely is what Alfredo ("a
pupil, at the time," Pepito commented ironically) explained to the visitors.
With the DAPOG system, unlike a normal seed bed, in which the soil is turned
over in order to plant the seed, the rice seed is put in water for 2 days,
after which it is planted on a banana leaf or other easily rolled material,
and placed on a damp base so that it can be watered over a 14-day period.
After that time, the seedling is ready for transplanting, but this period
must not be exceeded, because during it, the plant iives exclusively on the
reserves contained in the seed. It is therefore, in the words of Comrade
Alfredo, one of the methods which “thanks to the new machinery we plan to
introduce for leveling, we think we can use with considerable success."
Encouraging Results With Azolla
Another innovation made by the technicians is the use of Azolla (an aquatic
plant commonly known here among us as "sara bafai" which abounds in the Geba
River) for the fertilization of the soil, based on its atmospheric nitrogen
fixation capacity. When added to the soil, it allows the plant to use this
product, thus replacing urea, previously used as a source of nitrogen, which
costs about 30 pesos per kilogram.
According to the explanations given by the technicians (who refer to the ex-
periments made in Senegal), two applications of the product make an increase
in yield possible without using chemical fertilizer. In other words, it
attaches to the nitrogen and is placed in the bolanha, and it attaches to
another layer of Azolla and is buried. This experiment makes it possible to
32
save a half of the fertilizer generally used, at no cost to the former, since
the product multiplies rapidly. For example, if a kilogram of Azolla is
placed in the ground, 5 days later one has 2 kilograms, because its weight
multiplies every 5 days.
Although no concrete results have yet been established for the experiments in
progress, as to what percentage of what mineral fertilizer can be replaced,
engineer Pepito has nonetheless said that he is persuaded the process will be
successful, and great projects have been planned, according to him, in West
Africa, among other places.
5157
CSO: 3442/378
33
MADAGASCAR
BRIEFS
DPRK CEMENT DONATION--At the Ministry of Interior this morning, DPRK Ambas-
sador Kim In-ho and his colleagues presented 200 tons of cement, a donation
from the government and the people of the DPRK. Madagascar was represented
on the occasion by Ampy Portos, the minister of interior and chairman of the
National Committee for the Relief of the Victims of Disaster. In these con-
ditions, one recognizes ones true friends, Minister Ampy Portos said when
receiving the donation from the DPRK people and government. [Text]
[MBO031218 Madagascar Domestic Service in French 1030 GMT 2 Jun 84]
CSO: 3419/690
34
MALAWI
BRIEFS
REGIONAL COOPERATION VALUED--The minister of transport and communications, Mr
Chimwemwe Hara, has said that Malawi values regional cooperation because it is
the only way that countries in the Southern Africa subregion can achieve their
goal toward economic and social development. Mr Chimwemwe Hara was speaking
last night at Lilongwe Hotel at the reception hosted in honor of delegates to
the Council of Ministers meeting of the Southern Africa Transport and Communi-
cations Committee. He said that without an efficient and sound transport and
communications network in the Southern African Development Coordination Con-
fereuce [SADCC] region, the countries’ endeavors on economic as well as politi-
cal independence development might not be possible. Mr Chimwemwe Hara said he
hoped that SADCC would join hands in seeing to it that all programs and projects
were successfully completed. Speaking on behalf of other delegates, the
Mozambican minister of ports, railways, and merchant marine, Mr Alcantara
Santos, who is the [words indistinct] SADCC Council of Ministers, praised
Malawi for her active participation in the activities of the (?SADCC). [Text]
[MB201201 Blantyre Domestic Service in English 0500 GMT 19 May 84]
CSO: 3400/1003
35
MOZAMBIQUE
BRIEFS
BEIRA RAILS, HARBOR SECURITY--Efforts to form a security body to combat rob-
bery and defend the national economy is underway in the railroad and harbor
complex of Beira. The above mentioned body should function with the help of
the workers who already have participated in political and military training
and will be guided by the provincial command of the people's militia. [Text]
[MB040548 Maputo Domestic Service in Portuguese 0500 GMT 4 Jun 84]
UZBEKISTAN PARTY DELEGATION--Yesterday afternoon Jorge Rebelo, member of the
Political Bureau of the Frelimo Party Central Committee, received the Uzbeki-
Stan Communist Party Central Committee delegation. During the meeting, Jorge
Rebelo explained to the visitors the country's present political and economic
Situation. The Uzbekistan party delegation has already visited Nampula
Province and familiarized itself with the province's realities. (Abdulayeva
Rano), head of the visiting delegation, expressed appreciation for the manner
in which the delegation was received in all areas it toured. [Text]
[MB010938 Maputo Domestic Service in Portuguese 0800 GMT 1 Jun 84]
BELGIAN RAILROAD ASSISTANCE--The Beira-Dondo railroad will soon be extended
following the signing of an agreement between Mozambique and Belgium. The
Belgian ambassador, who has visited the city of Beira, has said that the proj-
ect was recently agreed upon in Lusaka, Zambia, between the Mozambican min-
ister of ports, railways, and merchant marine and the Belgian minister of
cooperation. Under the terms of the accord, the Belgian Government has agreed
to send two engineers to Mozambique to assess the possibilities of implement-
ing the project. [Text] [MB311302 Maputo Domestic Service in Portuguese
1030 GMT 31 May 84]
ELECTRONICS TRADING CENTER OPENS--Mozambique's Information Minister Jose Luis
Cabaco yesterday inaugurated a new electronic training center in Maputo. The
center is situated in the building which houses the main studies of Radio
Mozambique and will train electronics technicians from radio, television,
the national cinema institute, and the village social communication office.
The center is financed by the Italian Government, and Italian technicians
will be among the teaching staff when classes begin next month. [Text]
[MB021204 Maputo in English to Southern Africa 1100 GMT 2 Jun 84]
Cso: 3400/1055
36
NIGERIA
THATCHER INVITATION TO BOTHA ‘HARD TO UNDERSTAND'
AB291440 Lagos International Service in English 0930 GMT 29 May 84
[Station commentary: "Western Allies and the Delay of Namibia's Independence"]
[Text] The strong views of African states against racism, as articulated by the
Organization of African Unity, OAU, is well known to the world. But we cannot
claim ignorance of the fact that the apartheid policies of the minority settler
regime in South Africa are repressive and antithetical of the Charter of the
OAU, as well as negating the Singapore Commonwealth Declaration of 1971.
Whence Britain as a leading member of the Commonwealth of Nations is at liberty
to act within the limits of her sovereign powers, it is all right and proper
that she should fulfill her pledges and honor all the conventions she subscribed
to. The Commonwealth Declaration, to which Britain is a signatory, affirms the
belief that international peace and order are essential to security and pros-
perity of mankind, and therefore supports the UN's efforts to maintain peace,
and remove causes of tension between nations. The same declaration believes in
the liberty of the individual, in equal rights for all citizens regardless of
race, color, creed, or political beliefs, and in their right to participate by
means of free and democratic political process in framing the society in which
they live.
Lest the British Government must have forgotten, the same Singapore Declaration
recognizes racial prejudice as a dangerous sickness threatening the healthy
development of the human race, and racial discrimination as an unmitigated evil
of the society. This particular clause goes on to say that no member of the
Commonwealth will afford to assist regimes which practice racial discrimination,
or give assistance which in its judgement directly contributes to the pursuit
or consolidation of this evil policy.
From the perspective that Britain has always stood firmly in the way of re-
dressing the inhuman conditions imposed on the blacks in South Africa by the
ruling white minority, one could ask whether Britain has not hypocritically
violated the Commonwealth Declaration of 1971 as well as running down the UN
Charter on Human Rights. The Commonwealth Association is based on consultation
and discussion. Since the great number of membership is African, it baffles
one to understand why the British Government would disregard their sensibilities
and invite the racist chief priest, Premier Peter Botha, to pay an official
visit to Britain.
Prime Minister Thatcher's invitation to Mr Botha is hard to understand at a time
like this when the whole world agrees that the monstrous policy of racial
segregation and dehumanization of blacks in South Africa should be stopped. As
a member of the UN-sponsored group charged with the task of persuading South
Africa to dismantle the inhuman apartheid system, inviting the racist leader to
visit the UN assignment and bolsters the spirit of the racists.
Whatever Britain wants to discuss with South African minority rulers at this
time should have been done at the level of the five-nation Contact Group set
up by the United Nations. The British Government's argument that the visit
will provide a forum to persuade Mr Botha to see reason for the abolition of
racial segregation is not convincing. If anything, it signifies identification
of British interest with that of the racists. The truth of the matter is simple.
Britain wants to rescue South Africa from the coldness of isolation. This is
further reinforced by the fact that the British rugby team was so enthusiastic
with the tacit encouragement of the British government to undertake a playing
tour of South Africa when well-meaning nations have severed sporting links with
the South African racists. As long as Britain flouts and helps to abort UN
mandatory sactions against South Africa, and as long as she pays lip-service to
the Commonwealth Declaration of 1971 as it applies to racial discrimination,
she cannot escape the accusation that her obsessive flirtation with South Africa
has a lot to do with safeguarding a multibillion pound sterling investment in
that country.
CSO: 3400/1003
38
NIGERIA
IDIAGBON SPEAKS ABOUT UNIVERSITIES, MONEY SUPPLY
AB280630 Lagos NAN in English 1548 GMT 27 May 84
[Text] Lagos, 27 May (NAN)--The chief of staff, Supreme Headquarters, Brig
Tunde Idiagbon, said in Lagos yesterday that the Federal Military Government
had decided to set up a ministerial committee to study the curricula of the
universities, and make recommendations which would streamline them with national
aspirations.
Brig Idiagbon, who was speaking on a Radio Nigeria programme, "Matters of the
Moment," said that the type of education being offered by the country's
universities was not entirely relevant to the needs of the country. According
to him, this was responsible for the high rate of graduate unemployment in a
situation where numerous vacancies existed in technological fields.
The chief of staff said that in order to ensure a uniform standard and proper
management of the country's universities, the government had decided to appoint
members of the governing council of all the universities as soon as possible.
He said that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, in collaboration
with the National Universities Commission, had been requested to examine the
role of the federal universities of technology vis-a-vis the conventional ones.
The chief of staff urged media practitioners to promote made-in-Nigeria goods,
and to propagate agriculture as a means to revamp the economy.
The federal government, he said, planned to improve the tourist industry in
view of the vital role it could play in the country's economic and social
development. He said that the Ministry of Commerce and Industries had already
embarked on a programme aimed at revolutionising the tourist industry.
Successive governments, he noted, had given consideration to the development
of tourism as a foreign exchange earner as well as an instrument of national
integration but regretted that organisations established in the past to promote
tourism had failed to produce the desired results.
The chief of staff said that the administration was examining all government
investments, with a view to withdrawing from those activities in which the
private sector could perform better. In a developing country like Nigeria,
he said, it was only proper for the government to have controlling shares in
some industries in view of their strategic nature, adding that the government
had been deemphasising investment in the public sector.
Reacting to criticisms of the 1984 budget, Brig Idiagbon said that all the
measures taken by the administration were aimed at introducing a new spate of
manufacturing activities in Nigeria.
The chief of staff attributed the difficulties in obtaining money from the banks
to the fact that the new currency had not been given the opportunity to flow
freely. The pressure on cash, he said, was being aggravated by salary payments,
which coincided with the normal requirements of currency exchange. He dis-
pelled the rumor that the flow of the currency was being restricted, but pointed
out that the government was only interested in controlling the money in cir-
culation.
CSO: 3400/1003
40
NIGERIA
"RACIST' SA SCORED, SAID TO BLAME FOR CONFERENCE FAILURE
AB201111 Lagos International Service in English 0830 GMT 20 May 84
[Dele Kuku commentary]
[Text] Observers who have been current with events in Namibia were not sur-
prised with the inconclusive outcome of the all-party conference on the terri-
tory's independence. It is now a known fact that racist South Africa is only
keen in misleading public opinion to believe that she is interested in dialogue
as a means of finding solutions to the Namibian imbroglio, whereas her real
intention is to stall for time to further consolidate her illegal occupation
of the territory.
The 3-day conference, which was attended by representatives of SWAPO, South
Africa and Namibia's internal political parties, was seeking a formula for the
independence of Namibia which has been ruled by racist South Africa since 1915.
Despite the lack of progress at the conference, which can be attributed to
South Africa's obstinacy to maintain her illegal strength on the Namibian
people, it has been argued that the fact that the talks have taken place at all
signified a qualified success. As one delegate puts it, it is the beginning
not the end of the (?quest) for a settlement. Although one is skeptical about
the racists seriousness for an amicable soulution to the Namibian issue, the
fact that SWAPO and the racist regime sat together to negotiate is surely a
great stride in our search for peace in that territory. This is so because for
a long time now the racists have tagged SWAPO as a terrorist group which she
has nothing to do with. South Africa has arrogantly ignored the true represen-
tative of the Namibian people and has been propping up puppet organizations to
the detriment of peace in that territory. And the present stalemate of the all-
party conference is no doubt due to these mushroom organizations that are nothing
but stooges meant to compete with SWAPO on who the legitimate representative of
the Namibian people is. Surely they are now nothing but clogs in the wheel of
progress to a peaceful solution solution to the political emancipation of the
Namibian people.
Racist South Africa must be reminded that no matter the intrigures she generates
among the frontline states, SWAPO cannot be stampeded into a meaningless inde-
pendence settlement which will make all her nationalist struggles a wasted effort.
41
The OAU must now play a more active role in the present Namibian constitutional
conference so as to give SWAPO the necessary psychological and moral courage to
face the intimidation and cajoling by the racist regime. For with the ephemeral
diplomatic victory of the racist over the frontline states with their signing
of nonaggression pacts South Africa is now overconfident of her might and
supremacy in the region that she will take the compliance of SWAPO to be a
matter of time. Also the leaders of SWAPO must not allow their haste and anxiety
for independence to make them compromize their noble goal of genuine freedom for
the Namibian people.
This is the time to be more resolute in our determination in seeking true inde-
pendence for Namibia and defeating the racists in its diplomatic maneuvers.
Much as the independence of Namibia is paramount in our priority, Africa and
the people of Namibia cannot afford political freedom tied to a new colonial
arrangement. It must either be a complete political and economic liberation of
Namibia or a continuation of the armed struggle.
Since justice and world public opinion are on the side of SWAPO, the termination
of the racist rule over Namibia must be pursued with the rugged determination
no matter how bleak the situation looks at present. The United Nations and all
peaceloving countries must now put more pressure on South Africa to let Namibia
be free and give peace a chance in that part of the continent.
CSO: 3400/1003
NIGERIA
BRIEFS
DIPLOMATS CRITICIZED--The abuse of diplomatic immunities by some diplomats who
are passing sensitive information to Nigerian fugitives is examined by the
SATELLITE. The paper observes that the timely warning of the chief of staff
has checked their deplorable activities. The SATELLITE, however, urges the
federal government to remind such diplomats that Nigeria will no longer tolerate
any acts that will threaten the country's security. [From the press review]
[Text] [AB191006 Lagos International Service in English 0830 GMT 19 May 84]
CAMPUS VIOLENCE CONDEMNED--THE PUNCH endorses the stand of the Bendel state
government over the deplorable attitude of some Auchi Polytechnic students
confraternity group, which attacked their colleagues with axes, knives and
other dangerous cudgels. The paper cites other terrible confraternity groups
in the country's universities which have created problems in their various
campuses. THE PUNCH, in conclusion, suggests that the law in its severest
form must be applied on the (?erring) students to serve as a deterent to others.
[From the press review] [Text] [AB191044 Lagos International Service in
English 0830 GMT 19 May 84]
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS--Lagos, 24 May (NAN)--A 21l-man committee was
today set up by the Federal Military Government to review the causes of in-
efficient administration of local government during the past 4 years of the
defunct civilian administration. A statement by the press secretary to the
chief of staff, supreme headquarters, Mr Tunde King, said that the committee,
headed by Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, would deliberate on the problems and submit
its recommendations to the federal and state governments. The committee,
according to the statement, was part of the efforts by the present administration
to provide a virile, viable and efficient system of local government administra-
tion in the country. The committee will be inaugurated on Tuesday at the
Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos. [Text]
[AB242200 Lagos NAN in English 1648 GMT 24 May 84]
JUSTICE MINISTER DEFENDS DECREES--The attorney general of the federation and
minister of justice, Chike Ofodile, says Decree Number 13 and 14 were not prom-
ulgated to subvert human rights. He stressed that the present military admin-
istration has great respect for the laws of the land which was why, unlike
military regimes elsewhere, it does not govern by martial laws. The attorney
general made these assertions today in Lagos while speaking to newsmen shortly
after launching the War Against Indiscipline, WAI, of the Ministry of Justice.
Mr Ofodile said progress was being made in the efforts to bring back home the
fleeing public officers and politicians. On indiscipline, the minister said
that inordinate ambition to acquire wealth by all means was one of its main
causes in the society. Such traits of indiscipline he mentioned include steal-
ing, robbery, cheating, falsification of accounts, and corruption. Mr Ofodile
also condemned the erroneous impression that money was everything. He stated
that the disciplined citizens supress the urged to acquire wealth by dishonorable
means and appreciated that one could acquire wealth through hard work.
[Excerpt ]
[AB260622 Lagos Domestic- Service in English 2100 GMT 25 May 84}
CSO: 3400/1003
44
SOUTH AFRICA
TRANSKEI FOREIGN MINISTER ON INFLUX CONTROL
MB232013 Johannesburg SAPA in English 1807 GMT 23 May 84
[Text] Umtata, 23 May (SAPA)--It was of vital importance for Transkei's
political survival and credibility that she declared her unequivocal repudia-
tion of all influx control measures as an "abominable and inhumane system,"
the minister of foreign affairs said in Umtata today.
In his policy speech on the foreign affairs vote, Mr Mtutuzeli Lujabe said
there was a stalemate between Transkei and South Africa on the suggested re-
patriation of so-called "illegal" Transkeians from the squatter camps in
the western cape.
"Whereas white immigrants of European descent are subject to normal immigra-
tion laws when they enter South Africa, our own citizens are regulated by
black designated and discriminatory laws.
Special employment schemes have been initiated in Transkei and funded by
South Africa, not necessarily geared to the development of the country, but
to absorb the illegals who South Africa seeks to repatriate to Transkei with
out consent and cooperation.
"We cannot, therefore, be made to be seen to be parties to the implementation
and advocation of such policies where our citizens are harassed, arrested
and deported under numerous discriminatory laws. In South Africa, the lat-
ters citizens enjoy diplomatic immunities denied even to the head of the
government and his ministers of state in Transkei," Mr Lujabe said.
He said bilateral relations between South Africa and Transkei were governed
by a number of agreements covering a wide spectrum of activities, all of
which bore the hallmark of Transkei's client status in relation to South
Africa.
CSO: 3400/1054
45
SOUTH AFRICA
BRIEFS
WORK INJURIES--A total of 23 305 Black workers were permanently disabled and
another 1 816 died as a result of injuries sustained at work in 1983, the Min-
ister of Manpower, Mr Pietie du Plessis, said yesterday in written reply to a
question from Dr Alex Boraine (PFP Pinelands). Other figures supplied by the
Minister showed that 1 949 Whites, 218 Asians and 1 602 Coloureds had been
disabled and that 191, 19 and 160 respectively, had died. The total number of
industrial accidents in the Republic last year was 311 648; R52 298 451 had
been paid out by the Workmen's Compensation Fund for these, and 3 688 711
mandays had been lost. [Text] [Johannesburg THE CITIZEN in English 30 May 84
p 4]
APPRENTICESHIP STATISTICS--A TOTAL of 9 876 Whites, 1 455 Coloureds, 507
Asians and 656 Blackshad their Apprenticeship Contracts registered in various
trades in South Africa last year, the Minister of Manpower, Mr Pietie du
Plessis, said yesterday in written reply to a question from Dr Alex Boraine
(PFP, Pinelands). According to a breakdown of the figures supplied by the
Minister, the highest numbers of Blacks, 135, 295 and 122, were registered in
the building, metal and motor trades, respectively. The highest numbers of
Whites 2 723, 1 529, and 1 470 were registered respectively in the metal,
mines and motor trades. The South African Transport Services registered 1 906
Whites as apprentices and only one Coloured, one Asian and two Blacks. [Text]
{Johannesburg THE CITIZEN in English 30 May 84 p 4]
WHITE PEOPLE 'RESETTLED'--AN estimated 25 000 White people had been resettled
around South Africa for consolidation purposes since 1975, the Minister of Co-
operation and Development, Dr Piet Koornhof, said. In reply to a question by
Mr Peter Soal (PFP, Johannesburg North) Dr Koornhof said although he did not
have exact figures for the number of Whites who had been moved so that their
land could be used for homeland consolidation, the Government had since 1975
concluded 5 700 "transactions" to facilitate consolidation. He said if one
took it that about 5 000 families were involved in these transactions, it
would mean some 25 000 people had moved elsewhere "at their own expense." The
South African Development Trust had paid the resettled people financial com-
pensation amounting to R462-million between 1975 and 1983. [Text] [Johannes-
burg THE CITIZEN in English 31 May 84 p 4]
SADF CAN'T JOIN AWB--MEMBERS of the South African Defence Force are not al-
lowed to belong to the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging, the Minister of Law and
46
Order, Mr Louis le Grange, said. Answering a question from Mr Jan Hoon (CP
Kuruman) on behalf of the Minister of Defence, General Magnus Malan, Mr Le
Grange denied that the SADF followed a policy which permitted the promotion
only of officers holding certain political affiliations. Mr A F Fouche (CP
Witbank) then asked Mr Le Grange what the Government's policy was towards SADF
members joining the AWB, whose leader, Mr Eugene Terre'Blanche, gave a contro-
versial salute at the recent inauguration of the Afrikaner Volkswag organisa-
tion in Pretoria. Mr Le Grange said: “It is the Government's policy that
members of the Defence Force may not be members of the AWB." [Text] [Johan-
nesburg THE CITIZEN in English 31 May 84 p 4]
MILiTARY SERVICE SURVEY--QUESTIONS on service in the SADF, conscription for
coloured people and Indians, the African National Congress and "just war" are
included in a survey being conducted by the War and Peace Group. The War and
Peace Group is part of the Roman Catholic Justice and Peace Commission. Miss
Debbie Cabion, a member of the War and Peace Group, said the survey would be
used to gauge the public's feelings on the issues surveyed and to make it
aware of them. Quesionnaries were distributed in parishes in the Peninsula.
People replying to the questionnaire were ask to give their views on con-
scription and whether the government should extend conscription to coloured
people and Indians if the new constitution was implemented. They were asked
whether the reason for the "low intensity war" in South Africa was "the com-
munist onslaught against the country, hostile neighbours, apartheid, an un-
equal distribution of wealth and resources, or the denial of meaningful polit-
ical rights for the majority of South Africas". People were asked whether
they thought the SADF was fighting a "just war'’ in Namibia and against the
ANC. Miss Cabion said the survey was being co-ordinated by The Ecumenical
Action Movement (Team). [Text] [Cape Town THE CAPE TIMES in English 21 May 84
p 7]
HUGHES PRODUCTS' FACTORY--A WORLD leader in the manufacture of rock drilling
and cutting tools has opened a R4-million factory in Strijdom Park, Randburg.
Hughes Products’ factory is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hughes Tool Co of
London. It was opened by the Deputy Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tour-
ism, Awie Venter. The total annual market potential in Southern Africa for
all types of rock-drilling and cutting tools is estimated at R20-million, and
Hughes has its eyes on this market. It also plans to export to Europe, Aus-
tralia, the Far East and Africa. It is moving from a totally importing con-
cern to one intent on producing 100% locally manufactured rock bits. [Text]
[Johannesburg INDUSTRIAL WEEK in English 8 May 84 p 1]
TRANS-KALAHARI RAIL LINK--WINDHOEK--The Trans-Kalahari railway, linking Bots-
wana to Walvis Bay, has come closer to reality with the arrival in Namibia of
British engineering teams to investigate the feasibility of the R1,6 billion
project. The head of one of the teams, Mr Brian Green, of a British fir,
Henderson Travers Morgan, was quoted in the Windhoek Observer this weekend as
saying he believed only a sudden slump in the world coal market would prevent
the rail link from being built. Exploitation of Botswana's vast coal reserves
would provide the bulk traffic for the planned railway. But, even if the pro-
ject went ahead as hoped, Mr Green said, he did not expect the first trains to
move for at least 10 years. The track would involve about 800 km of Kalahari
desert, stretching from Serowe, in eastern Botswana, to Namibia's eastern Go-
babis district where there was an existing rail line. Mr Green said the
Namibian line would need extensive restructuring and the Botswana link was
likely to take a straighter route, north of Windhoek, t:o Walvis Bay. According
to the report, Botswana's Ministry of Mining Resources commissioned the feas-
ibility study. A second study team, assigned by a marine engineering company,
Posford Pavry and Partners, had arrived in Walvis Bay and had conducted depth
soundings to the north of the port. The Trans-Kalahari track idea gained im-
petus several years ago when vast coal reserves were discovered in the Serowe
district of Botswana. [Text] [Johannesburg THE STAR in English 22 May 84 p 5]
VOLKSWAG RECRUITING DRIVE--CAPE TOWN--The Afrikaner Volkswag has started a re-
cruiting drive while right-wingers maintain that attempts to force the move-
ment to stay out of politics will fail. In an interview from Pretoria today
the movement's leader, Professcr Carel Boshoff, said the first target of the
Afrikaner Volkswag was 10 000 family units as members by the time it held its
first national congress in about October. Mr Jaap Marais, leader of the Her-
stigte Nasionale Party, one of the prominent supporters of the AV, said today
that Afrikaner culture and nationalism could not be separated. If the Nation-
alist criterion of so-called non-participation in politics was used it was im-
possible to keep the AV from being involved in some way. Through the years
bodies such as the Broederbond, the FAK and the Rapportryers had been accept-
able because they had supported the National Party. Although it was going the
way of the old United Party, which in the end did not enjoy any Afrikaner cul-
tural support, the National Party still tried to force cultural bodies to sup-
port it. Speaking at a meeting at Innesdal at the weekend the leader of the
Conservative Party, Dr. A P Treurnicht, said Professor Boshoff had been a vic-
tim of liberalism and integration politics. [Text] [Johannesburg THE STAR in
English 21 May 84 p 1]
DUVHA POWER STATION--DUVHA power station was officially handed over to Escom
last week by the main contractors, Steinmuller and GEC. Duvha, in the eastern
Transvaal, is the second of Escom's new 3 600 MW coal-fired power stations to
reach full capacity. It was completed on February 22 when the sixth and final
600MW generating set was commissioned. Work on the power station started in
1975 and has been completed nine months ahead of schedule. Cost of the power
Station is some R3bn. The six boilers at Duvha were manufactured by Steinmul-
ler. GEC supplied the six turbine generator sets. The power station will
burn some 12-million tons of coal a year from Duvha Colliery, part of the Bar-
low Rand group. The total mass of each boiler and its supporting structures
is 23 260 tons. The boilers are suspended to allow for expansion while oper-
ating. Each boiler is 95,9m high and burns 250 tons of pulverised coal an
hour at full output. Local content of the boilers is about 80% but Steinmul-
ler has now developed to the stage where its organisation in SA, employing
more than 3 300 people, can manufacture all parts locally. Over the past 20
years Steinmuller has installed steam generating capacity totalling 7 800MW
and has contracts for another 7 600MW. GEC holds contracts to supply the
generating sets for the Tutuka and Majuba stations now under construction.
Each will also generate 3 600 MW. Local content of the turbine generators at
Duvha was 28% and Tutuka will be little different with local content of 297%.
However, expansion of GEC's SA operations, including the capacity to
48
manufacture generator stators, means that the loca” content of the turbine
generator sets for Majuba will rise to 40%. [Text] [Johannesbirg RAND DAILY
MAIL in English 15 May 84 p 8]
LOCAL CONTENT PERCENTAGE--DURBAN--The Government has no plans to consider
changes in the local content percentages of cars until next year at the earli-
est. The Deputy Industry Minister, Mr A A Venter, gave this assurance yester-
day at the annual congress of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut. He said the
Board of Trade and Industry was investigating possible manufacturing pro-
grammes for medium and heavy commercial vehicles. Its report was expected in
1985 and the Government would look into it before considering light vehicles.
Mr Venter said: "The Government's policy remains to develop the motor indus-
try to the highest level of local content that is economically viable."
[Text] [Johannesburg RAND DAILY MAIL in English 23 May 84 p 1]
PERSONAL SAVINGS DOWN--DURBAN--Personal savings are at their lowest level
since the Second World War, the senior general manager of Sanlam, Mr Pierre
Steyn, said yesterday. He told the AHI congress that the problem was high-
lighted by the fact that the man in the street was now saving an average 3% of
income, compared to a long-term average of 10%. A major cause of the trend
was the increasing use of credit. Mr Steyn said both private and public sec-
tors could act in a number of ways to encourage saving. These included con-
batting inflation, removing fiscal measures inhibiting savings and cultiva-
ticn of awareness of the need to save. [Text] [Johannesburg RAND DAILY MAIL
in English 24 May 84 p 16]
DRIFT TO CITIES--THE Steady drift of whites from the land to cities is the
root cause of all the problems of the agricultural sector. The chairman of
the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut's co-operative chamber, Mr H B de Witt, told
the AHI congress in Durban yesterday that, while drought had brought the
position to a head, it was not at the heart of the problem. "The root cause
is the drift of whites to the attractions of the cities with their wider op-
portunities and better salaries."’ In some towns 70% of the gross district in-
come depended on farming and many small businesses had been forced to close
for lack of custom. Where businesses had managed to carry on, they had lost
up to 60% of their turnover. There was no short-term solution. Even with
good rains the effect on agriculture would be felt for years. Coupled with
the exodus of whites was the relatively high birth rate of platteland blacks.
The loss of educated whites was leading to greater black unemployment. Al-
though rural black consumers were poor, they were an important sector of the
market. Mr De Witt suggested one solution would be for the Government to ex-
tend assistance in rural areas. Privileges granted to small, rural industries
in identified growth points should also be granted to established industries.
He said many small communities were concerned over the proliferation of bypass
roads. "It should be noted that many country towns have died because of these
roads."" [Text] [Johannesburg RAND DAILY MAIL in English 25 May 84 p 9]
BLACK-WHITE WORKER RATIO--THE ratio of black to white workers in the six major
work areas is 3-1 and the gap is widening, according to Central Statistical
Services’ figures issued in Pretoria yesterday. Economists said the figures
reflected the continually growing dependence of the economy on black workers.
They also illustrated the continuing increase in the number of unemployed.
Between November and December the total employed in mining, manufacturing,
construction, electricity, transport and communications decreased by more than
10 000 to 2 889 163. The number of whites employed declined by 511, coloureds
by 631, Asians by 375 and blacks by 8 891. The statistics show that (exclud-
ing Asians and coloureds) of the total of 1 394 000 people employed in the
manufacturing industry, 316 300 are white and 743 600 black. Of the construc-
tion industry's total work force of 410 500, 55 900 are white and 285 300 are
black. [Text] [Johannesburg RAND DAILY MAIL in English 24 May 84 p 3]
AECI BLAST SYSTEM--AECI Explosives and Chemicals launched a range of Nonel
non-electric blasting initiation systems with a demonstration blast at the
Institute of Quarrying's field day at Coedmore Quarry in Durban and an exhi-
bition at the Planning and Operation of Open Pit and Strip Mines Conference in
Pretoria. 'In surface mining, the Nonel systems offer a number of advanta-
ges,'' said an AECI spokesman. "Chief among these are: less noise, precise
timing, better fragmentation and the virtual elimination of dust plumes thrown
into the air by more conventional initiation systems. 'In underground mining,
the Nonel systems have also proved their worth by allowing precise timing with
the use of both short period and long period delays. The surface mining
application comprises two basic systems, the Nonel noiseless trunklines and
Nonel benchmasters which are simple and easy to connect up and are immune to
initiation by stray electrical currents, static, impact or flame. The Nonel
trunklines comprise tough plastic tubing with a light inner coating of reac-
tive material which, when initiated, transmit a silent shockwave at 2 000
metres a second to the detonator.'' The spokesman said this may be used as
total noiseless surface system to form the timing box around the perimeter of
a blast. [Text] [Johannesburg MINING WEEK in English 2 May 84 p 7]
SLURRY PIPELINE--PUMPING of residue from Simmergo to the Ergo tailings dam at
Heidelberg has involved what is believed to be the longest slurry pipeline in
South Africa. The 312 mm diameter steel pipeline with a negative static head
of 35 meters will initially transport 170 000 ton a month over about 32 kn,
(could be increased to 275 000 tons). Problems involved with obtaining servi-
tude rights and the excessive high pressure which would be generated at the
worst condition led to the final accepted design comprising two pump stations,
one at the plant and the other 17 km away. This design resulted in a reduc-
tion of pipeline pressure under the worst operating conditions. For the ini-
tial duty three pumps will be in operation at the plant and five at the boost-
er station. There are at present three Hydroseal C frame 1 700 kPa pumps in
series at the plant with the last pump driven by a variable speed fluid coup-
ling. Envirotech has received an order for the supply of 10 Hydroseal C frame
5 000 kPa units for the booster station, (five operating and five standby).
Initial design negotiations were started early in January of last year with
the design being finalised and final quotation submitted by mid-March. Site
tests were conducted on the present line to evaluate tests conducted by the
CSIR on the closed loop system. The tests at site were conducted by the Wits
University and AAC personnel with assistance from Envirotech personnel.
[Text] [Johannesburg MINING WEEK in English 2 May 84 p 2]
50
TOSHIBA INDUCTION FURNACE--A Toshiba induction furnace, the first Japanese
manufactured furnace to be assembled and installed in South Africa, was conm-
missioned recently at the Industrial Iron and Steel Works, Benoni. The fur-
nace was supplied by Forest Engineering, who arranged for representatives of
the Benoni firm to be invited to Japan to see the equipment and put questions
to the Toshiba technicians. In return, a deiegation from Toshiba was present
at the commissioning, including two of the world's leading experts on induc-
tion furnaces, Mr A Hara and Mr M Tabuchi. Mr John Aubin, manager of Forest's
Foundry Division, said he believed this first Japanese furnace to come to
South African soil represented a great step forward for the industry, its
standards and quality. ''The quality of the Japanese furnaces is higher than I
have seen previously, which is the reason for my unbridled optimism,'' said Mr
Aubin. "Our decision to go for the Toshiba agency followed six months of in-
tensive investigation. When we saw the furnaces under construction in the
various Toshiba factories in Japan, and the units in the field, we were even
more impressed by the quality soundness and reliability of the design.'’ The
850 kW 1 000 HZ induction steel melter for industrial Iron and Steelworks has
a capacity to produce one ton of steel net every hour, running at a tempera-
ture of 1 600 degrees. About 65 percent of the company's products are sold as
small castings for the mining industry. Forest Engineering is a division of
Steelmetals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Anglovaal. [Text] [Johannesburg
MINING WEEK in English 2 May 84 p 1]
ESCOM'S GIANT TRAILER--ITALIAN company, Cometto, in conjunction with their
South African agent Henred Fruehauf Trailers, have been awarded the contract
to build the largest unit ever manufactured for use in this country. The
order was placed by Escom and the unit will be used for the conveyance of
transformers and other very heavy loads. Known as the "beam trailer trans-
porter’, this giant will be 80 metres long, 5,3 metres wide and 4 metres high.
[Artist's drawing on right). It consists of two units of 14 axles each, three
in line, joined by a 49 metre beam. Each unit will have 168 tyres and the en-
tire trailer will have a payload of 450 tons. The entire mass will be 250
tons. Escom will take delivery of the vehicle at Richards Bay in September
this year where the trailer will be finally assembled by Cometto engineers.
The new trailer will mainly be used on routes from Richards Bay to various
power stations. Cometto is only one of six companies in the wor..d to manufac-
ture large and sophisticated traisport systems. Inquiries to Henred Fruehauf
(011) 786-3500. [Text] [Johannesburg MINING WEEK in English 16 May 84 p 6]
CEMENT FROM SLAG--SPRINGBOK--The O'Kiep Copper Company is to manufacture ce-
ment from slag with low lime content. The process will mean savings to the
company of about R2,5-million a year. Announcing this development, Mr T P
Philip, the company's general manager, said it was an important breakthrough.
The new plant is to be established at the Caolusberg mine where the deep ore
project requires large quantities of cement to fill voids created by mining.
Use of cement bought from one of the major cement suppliers would have made it
a costly exercise but substantial savings will be effected through the new
scheme. The plant, which will produce cement from an O'Kiep smelter which
produced low lime slag, is expected to be established and commissioned before
the end of this year. The proje-t has been preceded by concentrated research
undertaken by the company, and similar research in Canada and Spain. It is
believed to be the first plant, of its kind in the world. [Text] [Johannes-
burg THE CITIZEN in English 29 May 84 p 27]
51
COLOURED, INDIAN CONSTITUENCIES--CAPE TOWN--Members of the public will from
May 30 be able to inspect the constituencies determined by the delimitation
commission for the forthcoming Coloured and Indian elections. The Director
General of the Department of Internal Affairs said in a statement released in
Cape Town yesterday it was expected the delimitation commission's report would
be submitted to the State President on May 30. It was intended to provide the
department's regional offices with maps indicating the various constituencies
for public inspection from 11 am on that day. The regional offices are at
Beaufort West, Bleomfontein, Durban, George, Germiston, Johannesburg, Cape
Town, Kimberley, Kroonstad, East London, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth,
Pretoria, Roodepoort and Vereeniging. [Text] [Johannesburg THE CITIZEN in
English 29 May 84 p 15]
STATE EARMARKS SASOL MONEY--ALMOST R190 million the State obtained from the
sale of its Sasol share will be used to finance Escom, the agricultural sec-
tor and to stabilise the petrol price during 1984. This was announced yester-
day by the Minister of Mineral and Energy Affairs, Mr Danie Steyn, during de-
bate on the second reading of the State Oil Fund Amendment Bill. Mr Steyn
said the fund had acquired cash payments of R887,6 million in December for the
sale of its shares in Sasols 2 and 3. It would receive a further Rl 491,9
million over the next five years. Of the amount already received, Mr Steyn,
said, R187,6 million had been set aside to be used, interest-free, by the
State. Escom would be allowed to draw up to R150 million to alleviate cash-
flow problems. A further R18 million would be paid to Escom to suspend the
cost to farmers of their electricity extension charges for the rest of 1984.
The remaining R20 million, Mr Steyn added, was earmarked to maintain the pres-
ent level of the petrol price, especially in view of the bad rate of exchange
between the rand and the dollar. [Text] [Johannesburg THE CITIZEN in English
29 May 84 p 4]
ZIMBABWE SHARES--The Zimbabwean Reserve Bank and various Zimbabwean companies
have been ordered to send share certificates and details of financial dealings
to South Africa, to be held in trust pending the outcome of an ei ctal cita-
tion matter. Late yesterday Mr Justice G Leveson granted an interim interdict
which has a return date of July 10. The Zimbabwean respondents in eight dif-
ferent applications--brought by ex-Rhodesians trying to prevent their shares
which are held by nominee companies becoming the property of the Zimbabwean
Government--must file affadavits by June 15. If the Zimbabwean respondents do
not comply with the new interdict, previously granted interdicts will remain
in force. The new order was granted after the various applicants and a number
of South African companies agreed on the wording of a draft order. Problems
had arisen with the previous interim interdict which ordered companies listed
on the JSE not to allow the applicants shares to be transferred into anyone
else's name. The Anglo American group told the court in papers it had no in-
tention of opposing the matter but found it impossible to conform with the
previous order. This is because the applicants shares are being held by nom-
inee companies and in some instances are unallocated shares or form part of
block certificates. [Text] [Johannesburg THE CITIZEN in English 31 May 84
p 4]
52
COLORED PARTY DELEGATES MEET--Delegates of the Labor Party [LP] and the Peo-
ple's Congress Party [PCP] have held talks in Cape Town with the minister of
internal affairs, Mr F. W. de Klerk, on the Prohibition on Political Inter-
ference Act with a view to the pending colored elections. Mr De Klerk said
afterward that the talks would be resumed soon. The leader of the LP, the
Reverend Alan Hendrickse, said both parties had put their case, but that no
agreement had been reached. The leader of the PCP, Mr Peter Marais, said
the (Zeerbraak) issue had also been discussed with the minister. It had be-
come clear that the government would lend aid and that a statement in this
connection would be made soon. A further 78,000 applications from coloreds
and more than 58,000 from Indians to be registered as voters were received by
the Department of Internal Affairs today. All the applications had been
posted or handed in at police stations before the deadline at midnight on
2 June. This brings the total applications for the month to nearly 500,000.
Of these, about 305,000 were submitted by coloreds and about 143,000 by
Indians. [Text] [MB051744 Johannesburg Domestic Service in English 1700 GMT
5 Jun 84]
CSO: 3400/1053
NATIONAL LIVESTOCK CENSUS PLANNED
Dar es Salaam DAILY NEWS in English 24 May 84 p 4
{Text ]
TANZANIA has the third
largest cattle population in
Africa. Although there were
about 12 million cattle on the
Mainland in 1978, it has been
conservatively estimated that
the carrying capacity of the
area available for grazing is
about 20 million stock units.
In other words, not only is
there is a good foundation to
build on, but there is also
plenty of room for expansion
of the-industry.
Ruminant livestock. of
which cattle, sheep and goats
are prime examples, have the
important ability to convert
low quality feeds into high
quality fats and proteins for
human consumption. This
ability should be exploited to
the full, and livestock will
therefore play a key role in
the implementation of the
National Food Strategy. As
potential earners of foreign
exchange. livestock products
are very valuable also.
Thus the “National Herd”
is an important potential
resource which must te
fostered and husbanded with
care. Planning for the future
development of the livestock
industry is one of the key
roles of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Livestock
Development.
A vital requirement for this
undertaking is good in-
formation about the numbers
of livestock being kept in the
country and exact details
about where they are located.
it is therefore the intention of
the ministry to count all the
livestock in the country once
every five years in order to
find out how the population is
changing with time and to ob.
tain a picture of the current
54
trends.
When the first national
livestock count in Tanzania
was carried out by the Ger
man colonial government in
1913. the total cattle
population of the country was
found to be about 1.7 million
From the time when the
British took over Tanganyika
from the Germans until! the
late 1950s. the number of
livestock in the country was
either counted or estimated
every year for the Ministry of
Agriculture annual report.
Actual nationwide
livestock counts were carried
out in 1954 and 1978 The
results of this last count.
showed that there were about
3.5 million sheep, 5.5 million
goats and 12 million cattle on
the mainland. The cattle
were to be found largely in
Arusha and Shinyanga
regions, with considerabie
proportions also in Mwanza,
Mara, Dodoma, Tabora and
Mbeya regions.
There were very few cattle
in Lindi, Mtwara. Coast and
Kigoma regions. The
distribution of goats and
sheep followed a very similar
pattern, although even higher
percentages of these livestock
were found in Arusha Region.
and slightly lower proportions
in Shinyanga, ara and
Mwanza.
The next livestock census
will take place between June
1 and 15, a date and period of
time which have been selec
ted for good reasons. It is to
be hoped that the problems of
counting livestock in a coun.
try, where many of the
traditional herds regularl\
travel long: distances in
search of good grazing lands.
TANZANIA
may be avoided by carrying
out the livestock count over
as bref a time as possible.
Obviously the possibility of
counting some animals two or
more times in different
locations is very real, would
lead to gross inaccuracy in
the census figures, and must
be avoided at all costs.
Dunng the rainy --ason.
when grazing should he
adequate in most areas of the
country. herd mugration 1s
likely to be at a minimum. It
is however during this season
that Tanzania's roads. many
of which are already in a poor
state of repair, often become
completely impassable.
severely restricting travel to
many places where livestock
are kept. The census would
therefore be badly hampered
at this time of year. By June.
most areas of the country
should be free of rain and yet
the search for new pastures
will have barely begun.
Unlike the last livestock
census. when only cattle.
sheep and goats were coun
ted. for the 1984 count the
numbers of other animals.
such as donkeys, pigs, horses.
rabbits, dogs. cats and poultn
will also be obtained.
The National Livestock
Census Committee has been
planning this important and
difficult undertaking for
many months now. and the
final stages of preparation
are wel! underway. Fuel and
stationery are presently bein;
distributed nationwide, and
enumerators are being
trained to obtain the
necessary information and to
record it correctly.
Tanzania faces some
special problems when im
plementing an exercise such
as a national livestock count.
The methods of ownership
existing here are sometimes
complex, livestock often
being managed at sites far
CSO: 3400/1036
distant from the home of the
actual owner. Many
traditional cattle keepers
have never themselves coun-
ted their herds and fee) reluc-
tant to allow this exercise to
be carried out. To overcome
this will require great care
and perseverence on the part
of the census enumerators.
These officers have been
appointed at a density of ap-
proximately one per village.
For large villages with many
livestock there will be two
enumerators. One
enumerator will record the
livestock for two or more
villages, if these are small
The enumerators will write
down the numbers. of
livestock on special question:
naires, but the names of the
livestock holders will not be
recorded on those forms.
Livestock keepers should feel
assured that the data collec-
ted for this census will be
confidential and will not be
used for any other purposes
such as taxation.
Enumerators will be star-
ting to contact officials of
their designated villages a
few days before the count, to
arrange times for interviews.
They will ask fgr help with
identification of livestock
holders and with = in-
troductions to them. The
ministry is relying very
heavily on the village
authorities because of their
specialised local knowledge.
Although the availability of
a reliable supply of a up-to-
date information will make
the work of planners in many
government departments
much easier and more ef-
fective, the usefulness of the
census data does not end
there.
For the livestock keepers of
Tanzania also, the ad-
vantages of a well planned in-
dustry are numerous. From
the setting up of new
veterinary health centres
35
equipped with vital drugs, to
the provision of feeds and
feed supplements, many ac-
tivities can be effectively im
plemented with the use of
sound plans based on good
factual information.
For those traditional herds
which constitute the majority
of Tanzania's cattle, the
census data will enable better
quantification of the
problems of overgrazing
which can then be alleviated
by the opening up of new
grazing lands with ac-
companying stock routes
provided with watering and
cattle dipping facilities, and
tsetse control programmes.
For the livestock holder
wishing to upgrade the
quality of his s‘*ock, im-
portation and use 0 improved
animals will be effectively
planned based on information
about the present situation.
For the human consumer of
livestock products there are
also advantages to be found
in good planning in the
livestock industry. The ready
availability of meat, milk and
eggs would be greatly ap.
preciated in many areas This
is much more likely to come
about if livestock keeping can
be encouraged in particular
locations whence access to
towne and cities is easy. sy
In terms of human safety,
campaigns against such
diseases as rabbies can be
more adequately planned if
the numbers of dogs and cats
are known.
Essential to the success of a
major exercise such as a
National Livestock eensus is
the co-operation of the
livestock keepers themselves
If animals ere made available
for counting on the specified
days and if the enumerators’
questions are answered as
carefully as possible, the ef-
forts of everyone concerned
with the census will be well
rew arded.
TANZANIA
BRIEFS
KIBO PAPER PLANT--KIBO Paper Factory in Dar es Salaam has resumed production
of soap packaging materials following the arrival of raw materials from
Canada. The factory's General Manager, Ndugu Francis Koromo, said in the city
yesterday that a consignment of 500 tonnes of raw materials was received from
Canada recently. He said another 300 tonnes were expected from Sweden but he
could not say when they would arrive. It is understood that for a long
period, soap manufacturing industries have faced acute shorages of packaging
materials because of foreign exchange constraints. Ndugu Koromo said his
factory had started supplying the Lake Soap Industry in Mwanza with packaging
materials and it planned also to provide the materials to EMCO soap factory in
Arusha. He expressed hope that production of the packages would run smoothly
when the Southern Paper Mill at Mufindi in Iringa Region started trial produc-
tion in August. KIBO normally supplies its products to over 20 soap indus-
tries in the country. [Text] [Dar es Salaam DAILY NEWS in English 23 May 84
p 3)
MBEYA CEMENT PLANT--THE Mbeya Cement Company (MCC) needs more than 12 m/- in
foreign exchange to buy spare parts for its factory in Mbeya where production
has stopped. A Company spokesman said yesterday that the factory was facing a
serious problem of spare parts as well as technical management staff. He said
the withdrawal of funds for spare parts and technical management assistance by
the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), had created problems to
the factory. He stressed that the problem had seriously hit the company's
quarries where much of the equipment need "heavy rehabilitation." He said
heavy-duty trucks used to transport limestone from the quairies to the plant
were out of order and that there were no spare parts. The spokesman explained
that the company had forwarded the problems to higher authorities. He said
all depended on the Government's response. No worker has been laid off. The
cement factory, built at a cost of 695m/- with DANISH assistance, was comple-
ted in 1981 but could not start production until late last year because of
power problems. With an annual production capacity of 250,000 tonnes, the
factory was expected to raise the country's cement production to 1,350,000
tonnes annually. The National demand for cement is estimated to rise to 1.3
million tonnes by next year. The other cement factories in Tanga and the Wazo
Hill in Dar have annual production capacities of 500,000 tonnes and 600,000
tonnes, respectively. [Text] [Dar es Salaam DAILY NEWS in English 23 May 84
p 3]
56
IBANDA-KARONGA ROAD--WORK to put gravel on the Ibanda-Karonga Road, linking
Tanzania and Malawi, has started. It is scheduled to be completed at the end
of July this year. Britain has offered 15 m/- for the first phase of the 50-
kilometre road, according to the Deputy Principal Secretary in the Ministry of
Communications and Works, Ndugu Paul J. Mkanga. He was talking in Dar es
Salaam yesterday on the three-day meeting held in Lilongwe, Malawi, starting
on May 16, this year. Ndugu Mkanga led a six-member delegation. He said the
British money would be spent on the four kilometre stretch on the Tanzania
side, and Malawi's 46-km stretch. The first phase would facilitate the trans-
portation of Malawi imports stranded in Tanzania to Karona. Malawi's present
import-export annual trade stood at 800,000 tonnes. Some 300,000 tonnes would
pass through the proposed road link which will give Malawi direct access to
the Dar es Salaam port. The Lilongwe meeting, the third in the series since
last August discussed technical issues related to road and port usage, Immi-
gration and Customs. A similar meeting would be held next month in Dar es
Salaam, he said. Phase two will involve constructing an all-weather link-
road. Work will end in July, 1988, Ndugu Mkanga said. Under this phase, the
Uyole-Ibanda Road, on the Tanzania side, will be strengthened to bear heavier
tonnage. [Text] [Dar es Salaam DAILY NEWS in English 24 May 84 p 1]
COFFEE EARNINGS--COFFEE farmers in the northern zone which covers Kilimanjaro,
Tanga and Morogoro Regions, have earned 277,101,854/- from sales of 16,590,438
kilgrammes of the crop during the 1983/84 coffee season which has just ended,
the Acting Coffee Authority of Tanzania (CAT) zonal Manager, Ndugu Lodovick
Kimaro, has said. The zone, producing one third of the national coffee pro-
duction which also stands at 60,000,000 kilogrammes per season, has experi-
enced a big shortfall in production this season due to drought. He said that
the CAT had estimated to collected 21,434,390 kilogrammes of the crop. Last
season CAT bought 21,985,495 kilogrammes worth 266,704,930/- from the northern
zone. According to Ndugu Kimaro, Moshi District has produced 6,606,444 kilo-
grammes, worth 109,924,336/- against the estimated target of 8,000,000 kilo-
grammes. Rombo District produced 3,631,575 kilogrammes worth 60,990,770/-
against the estimated total of 6,000,000 kilogrammes. Mwanga District has
collected more than the estimated target. The district sold 671,504 kilo-
grammes worth 11,281,267/- against the estimated production of 656,390 kilo-
grammes. Same District harvested 616,113 kilogrammes worth 10,350,698/-
against the estimated total of 999,000 kilogrammes. Hai District had a
shortfall in its estimated production. It earned 67,224,345/- from sales of
4,017,976 kilogrammes against the estimated figure of 4,200,000 kilogrammes.
Lushoto District collected 871,171 kilogrammes worth 14,620,803/- against a
target of 1,180,000 kilogrammes. Morogoro had a big shortfall. It produced
175,155 kilogrammes worth 2,709,653/- against the estimated amount of 400,000
kilogrammes. Ndugu Kimaro said that ferrying of the crop from the village
godowns throughout the whole zone to the coffee curing company in Moshi, was
going on smoothly. [Text] [Dar es Salaam DAILY NEWS in English 22 May 84 p 3]
CSO: 3400/1036
ZAMBIA
BRIEFS
SUGAR PRICE UP--THE retail price of sugar in Zambia has gone up by about 14%,
or KO,10 per kg. A spokesman for the producers, the Zambia Sugar Company,
said the increase comes into effect immediately. As a result of the increase,
al kg packet of sugar which previously retailed at K0,73 will now cost KO,83,
while a 2,5 kg packet which cost K1,46 will now be sold at K1,71. A 10 kg
packet of sugar previously selling at K7,83 will now cost K8,83. The spokes-
man said the increases would enable the company to sustain its operations, and
would help to meet the large additions in direct production costs incurred due
to the devaluation of the kwacha and the continuing drop in its value. The
spokesman explained that following the devaluation of the kwacha, the company
took steps towards cost reduction and was successful in containing costs
through output and better operational efficiencies. The spokesman said part
of the funds generated from the price increase would enable the company to
carry out a K20 million expansion programme at the Nakambala Sugar Estate,
south of Lusaka. "The price increase is expected to reduce the cash flow
pressures from which the company has suffered for many years. It is feared
that if nothing is done to rehabilitate the estate now, production will in
future suffer," he warned. The spokesman said the project will enable the
company to process additional cane from its own fields as well as from the
newly developed smallholders scheme. The additional processing facilities
will help the company increase output to 160 000 tonnes of sugar in a good
year, thus ensuring continuing self-sufficiency in sugar. [Text] [Harare THE
FINANCIAL GAZETTE in English 18 May 84 p 10]
CSO: 3400/1033
58
ZIMBABWE
MUGABE VIEWS DOMESTIC, FOREIGN ISSUES
MB281500 Harare THE HERALD in English 21 May 84 p 7
[Full text" of interview with Zimbabwe Prime Minister Robert Mugabe conducted
by Donald Trelford, editor of the London OBSERVER, in Harare "last month"
[Text] Donald Trelford: Are you disappointed at your country's rate of
progress?
Prime Minister: Well, over the four years we have achieved quite a number of
Successes, but there have also been some failures, and so it is a question really
of comparing the successes on one hand and the failures. There were some factors
beyond our control--the recession and the three-year-old drought. But generally
in spite of those disadvantages the economy has continued to move well in the
direction of our plan.
True, we could have done much more in areas, for example, land resettlement. We
had hoped to resettle 162,000 families by the end of June next year but that
target cannot be achieved. Again, for various reasons we have had to divert
resources to drought relief. We were also affected by a lack of funds.
In the mining sector, in spite of the depression there is now an upturn--the
market is warming up and prices of our minerals and copper are more encouraging.
In the agricultural sector, again because of the drought, grain hasn't fared
that well--the maize and other crops. But our tobacco and cotton have done very
well over the last two years, and we expect a bumper harvest this year. In manu-
facturing we continue to have a few headaches.
D.T.: Aren't you concerned, prime minister, at some of the reception to your
fiscal measures to deal with some of your problems?
PM: Yes.
D.T.: That these might deter foreign investors--some of whom you may have to
rely on for your manufacturing sector?
PM: True, but again this depends on the attitude of our investors. If they
appreciate our balance of payments position, I am sure they will appreciate
what we are trying to do--this is not a permanent position. It does not
really underline policy for the future--it is a temporary measure, and if they
59
can accept it in that spirit I am sure the future will be bright for them
and for us.
D.T.: Prime Minister, you are variously described as a socialist, sometimes
as a Marxist leader--this makes some people wonder whether you really believe
there is a role for foreign investment in Zimbabwe?
PM: Oh yes, we have always said that although our objective is to establish a
socialist state, there's always room for private enterprise. We have accepted
the reality: ours is a capitalist economy. But this is what history has
bequeathed to the people of Zimbabwe. We cannot change the situation over-
night, which means an acceptance of capitalism; for how long that will be I
cannot say. I am not a prophet, but certainly there is going to be a private
sector for quite some time.
D.T.: You have travelled both in Eastern and Western Europe extensively. Do you
feel you have lessons to learn from both kinds of regimes?
PM: All socialist countries have had to adapt the principles of socialism to
the situation they found in their countries. We ourselves inherited capitalism
and, therefore, a capitalist infrastructure--a reality we cannot ignore. We
also have certain traditions we have got to accept. We, too, have to adjust our
socialist thrust, particularly the means or the method of applying socialism
to Zimbabwe.
D.T.: You have an important party congress in August, and you are due to have
an election in February next year. What do you hope for from this congress?
PM: First and foremost, the congress will really consolidate the party--we have
been restructuring the party and that exercise is not yet complete. After the
women's congress we will have a youth congress. In August we will have the main
congress which will have the task of reorganising the party.
But the physical restructuring of the party is one thing; there is also the
qualitative development of the party, its transformation in terms of ideology
and political philosophy. I hope that the congress will pass a number of
resolutions adopting socialism as the philosophy of the party. The congress,
we hope, will also back the one-party system as the most desirable for Zimbabwe.
Apart from the congress being really the concluding stage in the process of
transforming the party and organising it, it will lay down the direction the
government is bound to follow.
In future we want to see a very close link between the party and the government,
and that whatever the government derives from the decisions of the party is
reached democratically at the congress through numerous resolutions.
D.T.: Are we then likely to see 1984 as the year in which you are transformed
into a country of one-party government?
PM: No, it is just a transformation in terms of formulated ideas--the actual
implementation of our policies will take some time. Don't forget that we have
the most rigid constitution in the world and that our desire is not really
to tear it apart but to transform the system by constitutional means.
60
If we find, in the final analysis, that there are obstructions, then we might
have to go to the people and ask them to give us the authority to make the
necessary changes to the constitution.
At the moment we are not thinking of a convention--what I am referring to
really would be a kind of convention or referendum of the people for their
approval to change the constitution.
I am not pessimistic. I hope that after our congress we can enter into
negotiations with other parties with a view to securing their agreement to
change the constitution. This exercise is not impossible; there is likely
to be some support provided the other parties can be accommodated within the
framework of a one-party state.
D.T.: One of your problems in your nation-building here is that you have divisions
in some areas along tribal lines--partly covered by party labels. There also
have been disturbing reports from churchmen about recurrence of troubles, perhaps
on a smaller scale than hitherto, but even so still disturbing. Have you any
comments?
PM: No, we haven't commented on the criticisms that have been expressed by
churchmen, but they have submitted to us their own documents--I got from the
Catholic bishops a document and another from the bishops of Matabeleland. Again
with allegations about atrocities our armed forces are alleged to have committed.
What we want them to do is to lead us to the areas where these things have
happened. We would want to see where our army was throwing live babies into
boiling water and that kind of thing--this is quite unimaginable because even
during the war when we were fighting a very tough battle, you see, we never,
never had a campaign against babies--but there it is alleged that the babies
were being battered, that there was that degree of atrocity which makes our
operations inhuman.
But I can assure you that these allegations are false to a very great extent--
there might have been one or two incidents here and there, but by and large
we have found no evidence. Twice or thrice now I have sent ministers into the
areas with commanders of the police and army to go into those areas and examine
the evidence in the light of the situation on the ground, and their own view
is that those things haven't happened at all.
D.T.: Do you think a military solution to the problems of Matabeleland is
actually possible, or at the end of the day are you not going to have to accompany
it with a political settlement?
PM: The situation in Matabeleland is a military one. The grievances really are
unfounded. One cannot even piece them together and say this is the grievance.
But at the end of the day I think the situation is one which requires a change
on the part of the people of Matabeleland, they must be reoriented and Nkomo
hasn't accepted political defeat. And because of that he has contrived directly
or indirectly that some opposition to government should continue. He has been
unwilling to support government efforts to eradicate the problem in Matabeleland,
and so he continues to believe that with this lever he can pressure the govern-
ment to do his will.
But I can assure you we will not surrender our principles. We have done our
best to cope with the situation to date, and we continue to educate the people
politically, but we cannot abdicate our responsibilities and get Nkomo into
government. What he wants really is to be sitting here and giving interviews
as prime minister of the country. But to do that he must get the support of
the people--the verdict was cast in 1980 and it was in favour of ZANU.
D.T.: But I have heard it suggested that a lot of the trouble is deliberately
provoked from outside, from people who have gone across the border and come
back--some perhaps with South African help and training. Are you associating
Mr Nkomo with that kind of activity?
PM: Yes--with both, there are two developments. First, after we discovered
the arms and took action--after we took action against Nkomo--there was an
immediate action on the part of ZAPU and ZIPRA to recover those arms we had not
yet discovered. So young men deserted the army, went into the bush to try and
recover some of these arms cashes we didn't know about, and these are the arms
caches which they then started using.
Part of their plan was to use these arms to overthrow the government. And so
you have that type of dissident.
But later, because of the action we took here, and the pressures that were being
exerted by the armed forces and the people generally, there was this flight to
Botswana by the dissidents, and from there some of them have tried to come back
using Botswana as a launching pad. Others who needed more weapons decided to
link up with South Africa and they come back as Super ZAPU. But still their
god is Nkomo...they are fighting in the name of Nkomo, and Nkomo seems to accept
both parties although there is a real situation of conflict between them. One
group is opposed to support from South Africa andthe other says, well if we don't
have arms, even the devil can be our supporter.
D.T.: Prime Minister, we have seen many examples of Scuth Africa destabilising
neighbouring countries, and you have provided some evidence of this in relations
to Zimbabwe. In the case say of Mozambique, it has been one factor that has
forced it into a new relationship with South Africa. Could you conceive of
circumstances in which you may be obliged to do the same?
PM: We have already commented on the Nkomati agreement and, in fact, I wrote a
letter to President Samora in which I lent our full support to the agreement.
In other words we recognise the reality in which Mozambique found itself, the
circumstances which made it sign the Nkomati agreement.
South Africa sponsored a huge army of bandits, as they call them in Mozambique.
The Mozambicans felt it was necessary to confer on the matter with South Africa
as the sponsor of these bandits' activities and to get South Africa to agree to
peaceful coexistence. And this is what they did. We recognise the need for
that kind of arrangement. That situation does not exist in relation to Zimbabwe.
We have never allowed Zimbabwe to be used as a base by the ANC or the Pan
Africanist Congress or any other group that seeks to attack South Africa--not
that we don't support the struggle for liberation in South Africa, but rather
because we realise that our own situation does not allow us to withstand incur-
sions from South Africa.
62
D.T.: But would you consider say a nonaggression pact with South Africa?
PM: No. There is no need for a nonaggression pact. We are not attacking them
and there is no history of hostilities between us and South Africa. So that's
not called for where we are concerned. But we have appealed to South Africa
to desist from assisting dissidents launching attacks against us. We hope
South Africa will take heed of our appeals and start acting in a manner in which
peacerul coexistence can be furthered between that country and ourselves.
D.T.: But history and geography in your country have both determined that you
have close economic links with South Africa and these are recognised, 1 think,
by some trading contacts. Would you consider upgrading these contacts with
South Africa? It doesn't seem es though it's morally any different to talk at
an official level than at a ministerial level.
PM: Of course, there is a difference. In the one sphere you relate economically.
Officials discuss matters that affect areas of economic cooperation and trade
relations. No politics are involved. You are not discussing policies as such,
you are merely discussing relations and trying to solve problems that arise on a
day-to-day basis.
Once you start conferring at a ministerial level, the impression created is that
you are relating politically to each other. We do not feel that it is a good
thing at this juncture to give political respectability to South Africa. After
all they are the architects of apartheid, Botha and company. They follow policies
which have been condemned by the whole internetional community, and our view is
that if there are to be any discussions between leaders, it must be between
leaders of the apartheid system in South Africa and leaders of the ANC and PAC.
Those are the people they should talk to. Why are they afraid? Why do they want
to avoid them and relations with us? And this makes it all the more suspicious,
you see,
D.T.: It makes it very hard, does it not, to see how the black South African
can be liberated without help from outside, given South Africa's economic and
military strength.
PM: There is no question of our denying other forms of assistance than military.
We continue to give that support through the OAU. But unfortunately, because
of the nature of things--the lack of resources on our part, the fact that we are
only a young country--we are not able to single-handedly offer Zimbabwe as a
base, and this is the realisation which has dawned on Mozambique.
But if the situation were such that Africa was united behind the Frontline States
and all of us here who constitute the Frontline were asked by the whole of Africa
to offer our countries as bases, provided there would be military assistance in
the form of weaponry, in the form of funds, in the form of a defence, military
presence here, forces from Africa, I am sure the Frontline States would consider
the matter in a different light. And, of course, we would need the backing of
progressive countries.
D.T.: You are going to find it increasingly difficult to fulfill your aims of
establishing a democratic state in South Africa because of the ability of that
country to hit back.
PM: But this is only because South Africa is supported morally and materially
by Western countries. If that support were withdrawn--or even if that support
remained, but there was sufficient political and moral pressure on the Pretoria
regime--I am sure there would be a change in South Africa.
D.T.: But do you believe that black majority rule is a realistic solution to
South Africa given the size of the white population?
PM: You cannot evade the question of the right of any people to self-
determination. You cannot prescribe for South Africa a different system of
democracy from that which obtains elsewhere-at least in terms of the fundamental
principles that there should be one man, one vote, equal rights for all, and once
we begin to talk of equal rights for all we cannot avoid the fact that the blacks
in South Africa are in the majority and that in the event of one man, one vote
applying they would be in a commanding position.
But one doesn't want to look at the situation strictly that way; one would want
to believe that black and white in South Africa will be prepared to work together,
just as black and white here are prepared to work together.
It is reaily sad that our constitution had divided us into black and white, that
there should be black seats in Parliament and white seats in Parliament. We want
to see seats for all. And the system itself, I am sure, will ensure that there
will be blacks and whites in Parliament.
Already in our government we have invited whites to be ministers and if we can do
that at the level of government without any constitutional necessity, there is
no reason why within the parliamentary system that we work out for ourselves we
Should not take into account the needs of other cultural groups.
D.T.: Do you remain optimistic about the prospects both for your own country and
for the rest of Southern Afric?
PM: Yes, I think so. I think the prospects are bright for all of us provided,
of course, certain conditions exist. We have to relate to each other in
Southern Africa. But there is need for technology, there is need for funds, and
unless we get these flows, technological and financial, there is very little
hope of really bringing about any meaningful transformation. And so we have to
continue to tap the resources of those countries that have technology, that can
make funds available to us for new projects, for raising the level of develop-
ment so that economies get transformed from subsistence to industrial.
D.T.: Can Britain do more to help you?
PM: Yes, certainly I think so--already Britain is doing a iot in various fields
in our country. In the resettlement programme, Britain has made the largest
input. Most of our aid has come from Britain. But we need also to industrialise.
Zimbabwe has a light industrial infrastructure. We don't intend just to produce
light goods, textiles and that kind of thing. We would want to produce capital
goods, heavy machinery for the mining sector, agricultural sector, for the
industrial or manufacturing sector itself.
But first let's produce enough food for our people; let's ensure that we have
the roads, water resources, electricity, irrigation schemes, that kind of thing.
Zimbabwe is very much aware of that need and we are working to increase and
improve these facilities. I believe our neighbours are doing the same. So
there are prospects, and I can't see failure if support is forthcoming.
The West seems to think that what they have done in the past is enough, that a
lot has yet to be done by us to improve our methods of running our economies.
There may be some truth in that, but I think there should aljiso be the realisation
that as colonies we have contributed to the development of the West. What has
to be recognised is our interdependence. What we produce here goes to London,
France, New York and is utilised as raw material in the factories. We want
to see a return, not by way of goods, but by way of technology, so that we too
can raise the Level of development in our own countries and become manufacturers.
CSO: 3400/1019
65
MUGABE COMMENTS ON ROLE OF JOURNALISTS
MB311830 Harare Domestic Service in English 1745 GMT 31 May 84
[Text] The prime minister, Comrade Robert Mugabe, says the fundamental role
of the media is to educate and transform society, and it is important that
journalists should report truthfully and accurately.
Officially opening the (Himbare) complex of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corpora-
tion [ZBC], which houses Radios two and four, Comrade Mugabe underscored the
importance of sound academic and ideological knowledge of journalists. He
said Zimbabwean journalists should study and understand the aspirations of
the government and the people of Zimbabwe. The prime minister declared Zim-
babwean journalists have all the freedom they need in so far as they tell the
people the truth and at no time should they try to be involved in sensational
journalism.
On the role of the mass media, Comrade Mugabe said it would help people to
transform. He said the ZBC will intensify efforts to produce effective,
beneficial, educational, and progressive programs. The prime minister also
referred to government plans to establish communal listening centers and
television viewing centers at growth points.
The (Himbare) complex of the ZBC was built with assistance from the (Frederick
Herbert) Foundation of the FRG. Today's opening ceremony was aiso attended
by the minister of information, posts, and telecommunications, Comrade Nathan
Shamuyarira, and his deputy, Comrade (Naomi Niwatiwa).
CSO: 3400/1055
66
ZIMBABWE
MUGABE PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR UNIVERSITY
MBO20725 Harare Domestic Service in English 0500 GMT 3 Jun 84
[Text] The prime minister, Comrade Robert Mugabe, has pledged government
support to the University of Zimbabwe in its efforts to transform society.
Comrade Mugabe made this statement during the dinner hosted in Harare last
night by the vice chancellor of the university, Professor Walter Kamba,
to mark the conferment of an honorary doctor of laws degree on the prime min-
ister. He charged the university to work with other institutions to produce
a Zimbabwean who will understand the needs of his people and be utilized
fully by this country. He said the university should not be an institution
of standards but an institution which produces a man who wiil be able to
relate to activities in the sphere of socioeconomic development. Comrade
Mugabe also urged the University of Zimbabwe to interact with other institu-
tions outside the country so that the universities can share ideas, contri-
bute towards a common standard, as well as keep pace with the policies of
Other countries.
The honorary doctor of laws degree which was conferred on the prime minister
yesterday is the third to be awarded to Comrade Mugabe. He is the second
recipient of the degree awarded jointly by the University Council and Senate
in recognition of what has been described as a unique contribution to the
nation in politics or any other field. The vice chancellor of the university
delivered the oration, saying the honor was a token of invigorating and propel-
ling interest which Comrade Mugabe had shown in the progress of the institu-
tion.
CSO: 3400/1055
67
FARMERS UNION OFFICIAL ASKS SECURITY INQUIRY
MB0O20854 Johannesburg SAPA in English 0738 GMT 2 Jun 84
[Text] Bulawayo, 2 Jun, SAPA--The government has been urged to initiate a
full military inquiry into the negative results of security force follow-ups
after the recent killing by dissidents of a farmer in the Marula area. Ad-
dressing the annual meeting of the Matabeleland branch of the Commercial
Farmers Union (CFU) yesterday, the president, Mr John Laurie, said the se-
curity situation for farmers in Matabeleland had "continued to deteriorate"
despite measures taken by the government to contain bandits.
In an apparent reference to a Marula farmer, Mr Ian Birchall, who was killed
by dissidents last week, Mr Laurie said follow-up operations by the security
forces had achieved nothing. Mr Birchall was the seventh farmer to be mur-
dered by bandits this year.
Mr Laurie said he had requested a fully military inquiry "for the future
security of our farmers and the well-being of the country," at a meeting
yesterday with the minister of state for defence, Mr Ernest Kadungure, and
senior police and army officials.
He appealed to the security forces to warn farmers of likely dissident activ-—
ity so they could take additional precautions.
Earlier, the CFU president said the commercial farmers were reeling under
a staggering accumulated debt, projected at Zimdollars 2,000 million
(R2,222) carried forward into the 1984-5 season.
CSO: 3400/1055
68
ZIMBABWE
SATELLITE STATION MAY GROW BIGGER
Harare THE HERALD in English 24 May 84 p 5
[Article by David Masunda]
[Text] PROVISION has been made for the construction of two more antennae at
the new Mazowe satellite station if the need arises, a site civil engineer,
Mr. Ryosuke Narita, told Business Herald.
Mr Narita, of the satellite communications systems division of Nippon Electric
Company--the main contractor for the station--said the other two might be
built three years after the commissioning of the station, depending on need.
"The first one to be constructed should be ready in time for next year's inde-
pendence celebrations," he said.
Construction of the building to house the antenna is expected to be completed
by September.
Installation of the antenna should start in mid-September and a total of about
20 Japanese engineers would be employed at the site, he said.
Mr Narita said the 30-metre diameter antenna would be the largest type his
company conscructed for international communication and the other two, if con-
structed, may be for domestic communication.
"This is a very complicated station. Only five people should be needed to man
it and the rest should be for standby purposes," he said.
Mr Isao Furuhata, Sumitiomo's Tokyo office assistant to the general manager
(telecommunications and electronics department), who toured the six-hectare
station with the company's Harare general manager, Mr Katsuhisa Tamori, said
he was very pleased with progress of the civil works.
He said: ''Judging from the present situation, the satellite station should be
finished on time.”
Said Mr Henk Leyenaar, the managing director of Henk's Construction--sub-con-
tractors to the civil works: "It's all going well. As the programme is going
on now--we will hit target."
About 100 people are working at the site at the moment but the number is
expected to rise to about 200 in the next two months when construction will be
at its peak,
CSO: 3400/1030
69
ZIMBABWE
BRIEFS
GHANAIAN CIVIL SERVANTS--GHANA is to send more civil servants to Zimbabwe in
order to help ease local staffing problems. According to a recent report, an
official of Ghana's ruling Provisional National Defence Council, Captain Kojo
Tsikata, who is special adviser on national security, recently visited Zim-
babwe. He then confirmed that a number of civil servants were to be sent here
to assist the present staffing problems. [Text] [Harare THE FINANCIAL GAZETTE
in English 18 May 84 p 10]
EMIGRATION FIGURES--THE emigration of workers in all fields from Zimbabwe
continues, with a loss to the country of 379 economically active in February.
This makes a loss of 867 workers in the first two months of 1984, compared
with 505 over the same period last year, and a two-month average of 639 in
1982. Central Statistical Office figures for February, 1984, indicates that
550 workers emigrated from Zimbabwe that month, and 171 immigrated. Of the
emigrants, 94 came from the professional and technical field, as did 81 of the
immigrants: Three scientists left and two came in; 24 accountants while two
arrived and; 22 medical, dental, veterinary and related workers emigrated,
with 11 coming in. On the other hand, 25 teachers came in while 22 left.
Among production and related workers, the loss amounted to 140, because while
169 supervisors, foremen, miners, fitters, electricians, printers, artisans
etc left the country, only 29 immigrated. On the administrative and manager-
ial side, 41 workers left and nine came in, while in agriculture, 29 left and
five came in. The statistics reveal that South Africa continues to be a
popular destination for emigrants from this country. Nearly one half of the
total of 1 387 who left in January and February, went to South Africa. Of the
total of 981 immigrants (who declared a total capital of $173 800), most came
from Zambia (236), the UK (154) and Asia (127). [Text] [Harare THE FINANCIAL
GAZETTE in English 18 May 84 p 29]
MAURITIUS, REUNION EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES--THE Zimbabwe National Chamber of Com-
merce (ZNCC) plans to send a trade mission in July to the islands of Mauritius
and Reunion, where good export opportunities are said to exist for local manu-
facturers. According to a recent ZNCC newsletter, goods requirea by Mauritian
importers include foodstuffs, wine, tobacco, coffee, construction and engin-
eering material, leather, paper, cotton yarn, textiles, and consumer products
such as pharmaceuticals and footwear. Reunion's requirements centre around
consumer goods and construction material (particularly steel and timber pro-
ducts), some foodstuffs, footwear, furniture, textiles, clothing and handi-
70
crafts. It will not be easy for Zimbabwe to penetrate the sophisticated Maur-
itian market, the newsletter said. ‘However, there is a general willingness
on the part of the business community and a desire from the government, to
trade with Zimbabwe. "The import licensing system is relatively liberal and
there are no problems with getting paid in foreign currency. These two facts
make it a country worth penetrating. Mauritius, being a member of the PTA,
will apply the reduced PTA tariffs from July 1, 1984, to Zimbabwean products”.
Reunion, the newsletter continued, "provides a test market for the much larger
French and possibly European markets...this has its drawbacks in terms of
brand image, sophistication, packaging requirements, etc, but also an oppor-
tunity". Companies interested in participating in the mission, which will be
of one week's duration beginning on July 16, may obtain further information
from ZNCC. [Text] [Harare THE FINANCIAL GAZETTE in English 18 May 84 p 10]
CSO: 3400/1030 END
71
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