Napalm, etc

Recently the writer visited Tanzania and Zambia, two independent African countries where exiled Africans, refugees from the oppression of the white regimes, are fighting back; fighting wars of national liberation to try to free their people as all their other efforts have been rejected. These Liberation Movements are facing some of the best equipped armies in the world. The Portuguese in Angola and Mozambique are using military supplies that are obtained by them under their NATO treaty; and the Africans have come up against the use of napalm, phosphorous, aerial bombing and chemical defoliants. The South Africans who are sending troops to assist the Portuguese in Mozambique, and to help Smith in Rhodesia are also supplied with aircraft and equipment given to them by Britain, France, and the USA. Only Sweden and the socialist countries have seen the moral justification of the war and aided the African liberation movements. Some western countries have however sent medical aid, notably Holland, and others have aided with food, clothing and funds for refugees and in the areas liberated by the freedom fighters, especially the Scandinavian countries and Canada.

The fact that over 50% of its borders are fronted by hostile regimes has placed Zambia, a land-locked country, in a difficult position. Under colonialism all its trade was directed in a southerly orientation through Rhodesia and Mozambique. Since Smith closed the border in January 1973, Zambia has had to re-orient her trade and is receiving help in this from many United Nations countries. But until the Tanzam railway now under construction from the Zambian copper belt to Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, is completed, Zambia's economic position is in jeopardy. [unclear: I] found there shortages of many commodities which we accept as everyday shopping items, for example coffee was quite unobtainable when I was there prior to Christmas.

A worse problem concerning Zambia's border was the sabotage that is occurring. White South African and Rhodesian guerrillas cross the border and plant landmines inside Zambia and last year something like 53 Africans were killed by these inside their own country. What makes the Africans bitter, is that the whole world sees news headlines about two Canadians who were killed at Victoria Falls, but do not hear of the Zambians who are being killed every month. While I was in Zambia, two mines exploded killing and maiming a number of Zambian villagers.