adminThe Rhodesia Herald,
23 January 1971
COMMONWEALTH leaders ended their nine-day summit conference today with the feud between Britain and African countries over arms supplies to South Africa shelved, but still unsolved.
Britain’s Prime Minister, Mr Edward Heath, harassed at the meeting by hardline critics of his plan to sell arms to South Africa, was on his way back to London to report to Parliament.
The last day of the conference brought a rare gesture of unity with a declaration of principles attacking racial discrimination, watered down to a form which enabled it to be approved unanimously by the Commonwealth leaders.
In the declaration the Commonwealth nations pledged themselves to “deny to racialist regimes” all aid which in their judgement “directly contributes to the pursuit of this evil policy”.
“We recognise racial prejudice as a dangerous sickness threatening the healthy development of the human race, and racial discrimination as unmitigated evil society.”
“Each of us will vigorously combat this evil within our own nation”.
This declaration was presented by President Kenneth Kaunda.
Online Reporter