African Activist Archive

Statement by Executive Director George Houser to the ACOA Executive Board about the organization's situation. ACOA is facing its largest financial deficit in recent years. There is greatly increased concern about Africa in the U.S. and, consequently, the growth of new organizations and programs within existing organizations relating to Africa. Also, the number of newly independent African states is mushrooming. The situation in the Congo is complex, regarding both African affairs and African-American relations. The cold war is definitely at work in the heart of Africa. ACOA must ask: Is there a need for and a distinctive place for the work of the organization now? ACOA has a distinctive function regarding the intensifying struggle in the Union of South Africa. ACOA is looked upon as perhaps the chief opponent of apartheid outside the Union. Africans who are struggling for independence and freedom in Portuguese Africa also look upon ACOA as one of their main sources of support. Houser spent considerable time with the Union of the Populations of Angola in Leopoldville on his last trip and also had contact in London with a leader of the MPLA. A Mozambican group established in Dar es Salaam is in touch with ACOA regularly. Algeria is a very important issue now. The need for our Defense and Aid Fund is increasing; there are appeals constantly from South Africa, South West Africa, Portuguese Africa, petitioners to the United Nations, for refugees from Southern Africa, etc. Houser recommends considering dividing the functions of ACOA from the Africa Defense and Aid Fund. The document mentions U.S. policy, a visiting speakers program, special events, Africa Freedom Day, and tax exemption.

African Activist Archive

Statement to Executive Board

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Coverage Africa

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Rights Management

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