Sports
The Viewpoint is Africa:
SECTION U MEDKOHD. OREGON. SUNDAY. OCTOBER 28, lOlii PACES 1 to 6
Young Ambassador Looks at the Troubled World
Features
MedfordATribune
What a puizle thil complex world must seem to the
emerging peoples and nations whose support the U. S. seeks
In the East-West war oi ideas. In fact, some ot the new
nations olfer a ireshness of vision.
Last week an eloquent African just 31 years old dem
onstrated this in an outspoken address to the United Na
tions. Following are extracts from the "inaugural" address
of Frederic Guirma, mission-educated ambassador of the
Republic of Upper Volta, to the General Assembly.
Upper Volta is three years old, formerly French Co
lonial territory, and neutral. But its young ambassador
brings arNunusual incisiveness to the world problems he
surveys, from Berlin to Ole Miss.
By FREDERIC GUIRMA
Ambassador of Upper Volta
Distributed by United Press International
My people, like all peoples, thirst for peace, bul tests
and nuclear explosions which pollute our atmosphere do
not speak a language of peace. Everybody knows how last
year the Soviet Union resumed with much noise a scries
of nuclear tests. Despite the protests of the majority of
the members of this assembly, it did not hesitate to ex
plode the most poweful and deleterious bomb that man
had ever manufactured. It was obvious that after such an
undesirable initiative the United States would also
resume tests in order not to be outdistanced by the Soviet
Union.
At present a race to the moon is in progress, as if it
were a soccer match. One wonders whether all the objects
turning round the earth with astronauts are pursuing not
only a scientific endeavor but also perhaps a mission of
death. It is for these reasons that we shall spare no effort
to contribute to general and complete disarmament.
It is not true to say that everybody wishes to disarm.
If it were true, then instead of fighting over phrases and
procedure an immediate solution would be found. The
delegation of Upper Volta believes that first a complete
inventory should be taken of all nuclear weapons and
delivery vehicles, after the signing of a treaty for the
immediate cessation of nuclear tests. Once this inventory
is completed under the supervision of a control organ
composed of neutral and small countries, these weapons
should be assembled in the public square and one would
make a magnificent fire of them to celebrate peace. This
would be the only way to make sure that all weapons
and all delivery vehicles and all means of producing
weapons have been destroyed.
Armaments Race Continues
The armaments race continues because, since the end
of the last war a fierce competition has been taking place
between yesterday's allies to see who will dominate the
world. One party had already dominated the world through
economic power, covering the whole world with a heavy
mantle of imperialism. Then others wanted to dominate
the world through imperialism of a new kind, spiced with
a promising ideology which they wished lo impose through
all means. This is what is called the cold war. It is fed
with true as well as false problems. The false problems of
the cold war are those that do not deal with the realities
of life. An example of such a false problem that is feeding
the cold war is the problem of Hungary, which is presented
to this Assembly every year.
We know very well what happened in Budapest in
1956. We knew that a people wanted to shake off the yoke
of a regime that they detested. We know that the hopes
of thouse courageous and proud people were fostered and
nourished when it was well-known that since Potsdam and
Yalta a new world had been born in which the beautifully
traditions of faith in peoples were no longer respected.
Thus, when Soviet tanks were crushing the bones and
flesh of Hungarian patriots in the streets of Budapest, it
became apparent that one could help these patriots only
with beautiful words and tears of compassion. In 19H9. a
blank cheque given to Poland became very expensive.
In 1956. the blank cheque given to the Hungarian people
was not covered. What happened? A new government
came into power. Whatever one may think of that govern
ment, it is a legitimate government since it controls and
mips Ihn country.
In Favor of Fighting for Freedom
On the other hand, the people and government of
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Frederic Guirma, ambassador ot Upper Volta, is shown here talking with President John F. Kennedy in April,
1901. Guirma addressed the United Nations General Assembly recently. (UPI)
Upper Volta arc resolutely in favor of peoples fighting for
their freedom and of peoples who were arbitrarily divided
and find part of their country still free. They ask that
the United Nations apply the charter of the United Na
tions, that is to say the provision granting the right of
self-determination to peoples.
I shall cite as an example the peoples of Germany
and Korea. It is true that Germany lost the war. But 1
believe this is the first time in the whole history that
seventeen years have passed since the end of the war
without the signing of a treaty. Since the Hundred Years
war, one has never seen such a practice followed in
civilized countries.
Germany was partitioned into two parts. In the East,
those who wish to build artificial paradises on earth began
their work. In the West work started aRain in the con
viction that, since God expelled Adam and Eve from para
dise, man could be sure only of his weakness and suffer
ing. But what do we see today? Millions of people who
have fled from the so-called paradise in the East and who
have come lo live in the so-called inferno of the West. We
were told that this was not so. that there were no refugees,
thai this was all capitalist-imperialist propaganda, that a
scientifically constructed socialism was being vilified. But
to our great surprise, this socialist state soon built a con-,
cretc wall lo divide Berlin into two parts, and against all
expectation it was not in order to protect the socialist
paradise against the illegal immigration of people from
the West; no. that wall which is a wall of truth was to
show us that there was no paradise in the East and to
prove that the people of the East preferred Ihe regime of
the West.
I mentioned Ihe problem of Korea. There again the
problem is one of freedom, and in this case the United
Nations, with all the moral force of the charter behind II,
must sec to it that this problem is solved. What is it that
the Korean people wishes, if not peace and reunification?
In that country it had been claimed that paradise was in
the north and hell in the south, but it was not long before
over f million happy people threw away their haloes in
the so-called Communist paradise In the north and fled lo
the south. The increasing disproportion between Ihe popu
lations ot the north and the south is a clear indication
of the true situation.
Since I am speaking of Asia. I would like also to say
a few words concerning our views on Ihe problem of
China. The legal problem of the representation of Ihe
People's Republic of China is clear. A nation whose pop
ulation numbers 7110 million cannot be ignored, and
furthermore, to close the door of the United Nations lo
certain nnliuns would be tantamount to denying the uni
versality of this organization. Moreover, if it is true thai
Continental China will soon become a candidate for mem
bership in the "nuclear club ", il heroines quite evident
that no disarmament will be possible without the par
ticipation of a country which possesses the greale.sl army
in the world.
But if mainland China really wishes to become a mem
ber of the United Nations in order lo cooperate, il is up
lo China. The leaders of this country also chose lo build
a paradise on earth. We wish them good luck even though,
according lo what sonic people tell us, their economic
difficulties are rather great. But let them solve their own
difficulties and build their own paradise on earth, and
let them stop bothering their neighbors.
The state of Israel exists. It is a member of the United
Nations. It is universally known and many countries hold
it in high esteem. It is very active in practical international
collaboration. It is impossible to strike that state off the
map of the world because a million Arab refugees remain
unyielding in the matter of Ihe method and form in which
they should be indemnified for the losses sustained by them.
A war in the Middle East between Israel and the Arab
States would not leave the great powers in a state of in
difference and we would soon see them confronting each
other, through the respective adversaries, just as they have
so zealously done in the past whenever any conflict, how
ever unimportant, has broke out anywhere in the world.
The busy way in which Ihey have been furnishing arms
is sufficient to show that they will not be content to re
main passive spectators in such an eventuality.
If I spoke of insecurity and the cold war, it is because
today Ihere is Ihe phenomenon of decolonization which
gives birth lo the new peace-loving states. I wish to con
gratulate Algeria, whose people were heroic in ils constant
and energetic struggle for its liberation and national in
dependence. 1 also wish to congratulate France, which
knew how to bring this independence about with much
courage and remarkable foresight, with understanding of
present realities. In the name of my government I wish
lo pay a special tribute to General De Gaulle. We had
already stated here that he was faithful lo his word, that
he had a warm heart and great intelligence which en
abled him to fathom realities of our time.
Days of Colonialism Numbered
The days of colonialism are numbered in Africa. No
predatory colonialism will retain a toehold in Africa. That
is why we ask that the power responsible for the Rhodesias
and Nyasaland be true to its traditional wisdom. An equit
able system has been imposed upon these countries where
Africans arc dominated by the while. Blood has begun
to flow.
To this club one could add South Africa. The representa
tive of that country came to this rostrum with a very
heavy conscience, and the best proof of this is that every
time he tried to find fault with everybody else, thus to
justify his own sins. He speaks of countries that are
racialist. He speaks of the United Stales and accuses it,
and so on.
I would like to tell him the difference between the
United States, for instance, and South Africa. Indeed, in
the United States segregation exists and in some parts of
the country it is even terrible. But what is important is
that the government of the United States did no make an
institution of this. 11 does not praise this policy. On the
contrary, it energetically fights it. For one small Negro
lo go to school, it threatens governors and judges with
prison. It sends policemen to arrest a former general who
does nol understand anything about the worth of the
human being. It sends troops to occupy the University of
Mississippi in order lo protect a Negro and to disperse a
mob of hysterical demonstrators.
'Crisis of the United Nations'
Much has been said about the "crisis of the United
Nations." This is not surprising since some members ot the
United Nations behave like a madman who, seated on a
branch, Is vigorously sawing this branch, while yelling to
all who would hear him: "Watch It we are going to fall."
An objective analysis of the situation shows that those
who undermine the prestige of the United Nations, are
those who refuse to participate frankly, for sinister mo
tives: and who refuse to shoulder their responsibilities In
the various operations of our organization.
Our independence did not come by chance: we are in
a state of euphoria and stupor. Our independence was
not a conscious act, for us it was a magnificent instrument.
This is why we are not contaminated by this infantile
sickness of independence, which consists in fraternizing
exuberantly with everybody, without wondering for one
single instance whether this was a positive act of Inter
national cooperation or rather irresponsible propaganda
in a world where responsibilities are weighty. We do not
become friends with a country unless we are prepared to
cooperate fruitfully for peace, without any after thought.
Thank God, Upper Volta is still free to organize Ils Inter
national life as it sees fit. and il will always preserve its
freedom.
While Landry Writes of a Tale of Two Cities, Lagos and Accra
By WILBUR G. LANDREY
United Press International
Accra-WI'-ln Africa to
today there is a talc of
two cities. Lagos and Accra,
capitals of Nigeria and
Ghana. The outcome will
shape Ihe development of
a continent.
The road from Lagos to
Accra leads 32(1 miles west
ward along the bottom of
Africa's bulge. It passes
through the rain forest and
along white sand beaches,
through four countries of
different traditions and two
different colonial pasts.
This w-as once the old
slave coast And here, in
miniature, the struggle for
Africa is taking place.
Lagos is one pole of attrac
tion, Accra Ihe other. The
distance between them can
easily he driven in a day.
But the distance of ideas
is greater.
Largest African Country
With 40 million people,
Nigeria is the largest coun
try in Africa. It is the only
black African country
where parliamentary, multi
party democracy is going
strong.
Lagos, the capital of 36.V
0i:o people, still contain'
some nf the worst slums
in the world and. in con
trast, some fine modern
building.
Nigeria and her quiet
spoken primp minister. Sir
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa,
a 50-year-old former school
teacher from the Moselm
northern region, stand for
a stow. step - by step ar-
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This picture shows Tinubu Square in Lagos, with modern Central Bank of Nigeria
building. (UPI)
proach to African unity
through technical, econom
ic and political cooperation.
Now on the second an
niversary of Nigeria's in
dependence, her democracy
i undergoing its scvcrtvl
lest. The leaders nf Ihe ma
jor opposition party, the
Anion Group (AGi. are
either being investigated
for alleged financial irregu
larities or under detention
on suspicion of arms smug
gling. Much will depend on the
outcome of the present cri
sis, for if moderation and
democracy survive in Ni
geria, they will havp a
stronger chance elsewhere
in Africa.
Thrre is er.cry and hope,
but the crisis has brought
a tomb of disillusionment.
Seventy miles along the
tarred and often rough road
i the border with Daho
mey, a sliver of a country
with 44.000 square miles
and a population of 1.700 -ooo
A nul Uuui th mod
ern Nigerian border post
are the sleepy village and
dusty buildings which mark
the Dahomey customs.
Here the officer says lion
jour" (not good day) and a
sign says "Roulez a Droit''
- drive on the right instead
of the left.
This is French-speaking
Africa, and Dahomey and
sister Togo are sandwiched
like peanut butter between
English - speaking Nigeria
and Ghana.
Toio, an even wuallsr
Ilium i i ii ii i i i T i ii i . i iwl in i mi
Market women crowd a street In Accra in this scene taken In 1UB1. (UPI)
sliver of 21.000 square
miles, is only 31 miles wide
at the coa.sl and has an
estimated population of
1.1 00,000.
Toco capital. Lome, is
on the border with Ghana.
And Pn siflrnt K w a m e
Nkrumah of Ghana frankly
would like lo lake over all
of Togo. Relations are bad
between (hem, and the bor
der i closed lo vehicle traf
fic. Here you pirk up your
baggagi- and carry It arrnsn.
And the sign readi: "Wel
come to Ghana. Please
Drive on the Left."
The difference is imme
diately obvious in bigger
and richer Ghana, a coun
try of nearly 7.000.000 pen
pie which has the best civil
service in black Africa and
one of the highest levels
of education.
Nkrumah and Ghana led
the way lo independence in
black Africa (not counting
Liberia and Ethiopia) in
1057. The 51-year-old Nkru
mah hag been the hero ot
4
a continent and his aggres
sive policy of political
unity, with himself as pre
sumably the leader, is the
opposite pole from the cau
tious approach of Nigeria
and the French - speaking
states.
It has also made him
enemies among his. neigh
bor, and the other leaders
of Africa.
In Ghana, Nkrumah Is
known as Osagyefo (the Re
deemer or Messiah) and his
parly prcs lias snmeliiues
appeared lo suggest thai
he is immortal. But like
Nigeria, Ghana is in a time
of crisis.
On Aug. 1, a bomb nar
rowly missed Nkrumah
himself. And four have
gone off since, killing 15
persons and injuring 256.
They resulted in a dusk to
dawn curfew in this capital
of 3RR.000 people, usually
one of the gayest cities on
the West Coast.
On some world irauci.
Nkrumah has leaned to
ward the Soviet bloc, but
in reality his main preoc
cupation Is with Africa and
with developing his coun
try. The only foreign nation
to come for thanks in his
recent speech to parlia
ment was Ihe United Slates.
Concentrate on Second
Having won the first, the
political, revolution, Nkru
mah told parliament recent
ly that it must now con
centrate on Ihe second, the
economic and social revolu
tion. He added:
"In pursuing our second
revolution, let us rid our
selves1 of Ihe false notion
that democracy necessarily
rests In supporting multiple
factions warring within the
bosom of a divided nation.
Let the aim of the second
revolution be a socialist fu
ture in which the needs
of each will be the con
cern of the state . . . Ours,
by Ihe people's wish, shall
he a one-party state, a peo
ple's parliamentary democ
racy , . ."
That Is the one-party doc
trine which Is favored by
many of Africa's nationalist
leaders.