The Guardian of Liberty - Nemzetőr, 1980 (3. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1980-01-01 / 1. szám
African Protests A War against Humanity The TIMES OF ZAMBIA, whose editorials usually reflect official thinking in Lusaka, has described the invasion of Afghanistan as a „war against humanity“ because the Soviet authorities have demonstrated their contempt for the concept of the dginity of man. In the newspaper’s opinion the Russians have in this way advertised the worthlessness of their own popular revolution. However, the paper added, it was inevitable that liberty would prevail, triumphing against oppression in South Africa and „the new generation of would-be Russian colonialists“. An earlier Zambian press commentary said that the countries of the Third World must ask themselves „ . . . whose turn next?“ The Kenyan DAILY NATION has said in an editorial: „Africans must see Soviet intervention in Afghanistan as the first step in the imperialist grab for oil that can ultimately lead to a new world war involving almost every country“. The article added that the massive Soviet military presence threatened the supply of oil to the West, and the USSR hoped to use Afghanistan to exert influence on Iran, Pakistan and nearby areas. The aggressive Soviet foreign policy in the Middle East and in Africa „aims primarily at one thing: access to oil and control over its transport“. In an editorial entitled „Bloody hand of Russia“, Kenya’s Standard said that the Russians, by intervening in Afghanistan, had blatantly committed the imperialist crimes which their leaders ha over the years been loudly denouncing. President Tolbert of Liberia, in his capacity as Chairman of the Organisation of African Unity, has expressed Africa’s „grave concern“ about events in Afghanistan. He said in a broadcast that world peace wa>s seriously endangered Africa, he added, had watched with increasing alarm the turmoil and bloodshed following the intervention in Afghanistan by a neighbouring Super Power. An editorial in NEW LIBERIA said that the „Kremlin Blitzkrieg“ in Afghanistan was bound to send shock waves not only through the nations in the immediate region, but also through „faraway countries which have a much closer relationship with Moscow“. The newspaper added that the best way of avoiding Afghan-type situations was for the „helpless Third World nations“ to become less and less dependent on treaties of „friendship and co-operation“ and instead become truly non-aligned. Reports from other African countries: — SUDAN: Russian flags were burned outside the Soviet Embassy in Kkartoum by some of the thousands of university and school students who demonstrated in protest against the invasion of Afghanistan. Student representatives handed Soviet diplomats a statement condemning the „pretences and guiles“ which the Kremlin had been using to „deceive the peoples of the world who are fighting for freedom“. ZAIRE: In a New Year speech, President Mobutu said that the situations in Kampuchea, Iran and Afghanistan were caused by flagrant disregard of the standards for international good conduct. „Peace,“ he added, „is menaced and war is at our doors“. TUNISIA: President Bourguiba! said of Afghanistan in a speach; „We cannot keep stilent about military intervention in the affairs of a State which is independent and Islamic. Much as we are eager to consolidate relations of co-operaion with the Soviet Union, we consider it necessary to express our dismay at the violation of the UN Charter“. MAURITANIA: The government has expressed „extreme anxiety“ over the „dangerous events“ in Kabul. An official statement reiterated Mauritania’s adherence to the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of States and to Islamic solidarity. He is on the move again JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1980 WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE ... With friends like these, who needs enemies. That was the message in a Singapore Government press statement issued recently. It said: „The overthrow of the Government of Afghanistan is a clear warning to Asia that Western imperialism, now largely defunct, is not without a successor“. The invasion of Afghanistan was the first time since the Second World War that Soviet troops had moved in force against an Asian country. The USSR had taken this action only a month after the United Nations had adopted a modified Soviet-sponsored resolution condemning all forms of „he gemonism“. The statement added: „We in south-east Asia are equally aware that the Soviet action in Afghanistan comes on top of its massive military support to Vietnam to overrun and occupy Democratic Kampuchea. „Of particular concern to non-communist Asia is that the victims of aggression in both cases were communist States. Democratic Kampuchea was Marxist. The two leaders who were deposed and killed in Afghanistan were both Marxists closely allied to the Soviet Union and its policies. But in each instance ideological affinity and friendship gave neither Kampuchea nor Afghanistan guarantees of political independence or national dignity. „If a communist Super Power can mete, out harsh treatment to fellow Marxist States which do not toe its line, can non-communist States place much credence on Soviet assurances that association with it would always be on the basis of mutual benefit, tolerance for different social systems and non-interference in one another’s internal affairs?“ The USSR had in the past encouraged small nations to pursue non-alignment as a means of securing political integrity and independence. Some 90 nations, including Afghanistan, joined the non-aligned movement. „But", the statement added, „neither non-alignment nor pro-Soviet policies have saved Afghanistan's independence and dignity“. SENEGAL: Le Soleil, the Dakar newspaper whose commentaries often reflect official thinking, has said in an editorial that the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan showed the risks that all Third World countries run in their relations with the Super Powers 0|nd that „States have no friends, they only have interests“. The editorial speculated that President Karmai, being dependent (Continued on page 4) 3