Theo-Ben Gurirab, SWAPO representative to the United Nations, addressing the Emergency Conference on Namibia. American Committee on Africa (ACOA) initiated the conference following the breakdown of the Geneva Conference in January, due to South Africa's refusal to implement the United Nations plan for Namibian independence, and the advent of the Reagan Administration. Some 250 persons from 100 organizations attended the one-day session. "It is through negotiations, should the enemy agree...that we can bring about peace in Namibia" Gurirab said. "But as long as South African colonial occupation of our country continues, we have no other alternative but to continue to intensify the armed struggle...
Theo-Ben Gurirab, SWAPO representative to the United Nations, addressing the Emergency Conference on Namibia. American Committee on Africa (ACOA) initiated the conference following the breakdown of the Geneva Conference in January, due to South Africa's refusal to implement the United Nations plan for Namibian independence, and the advent of the Reagan Administration. Some 250 persons from 100 organizations attended the one-day session. "It is through negotiations, should the enemy agree...that we can bring about peace in Namibia" Gurirab said. "But as long as South African colonial occupation of our country continues, we have no other alternative but to continue to intensify the armed struggle in Namibia." The conference was cosponsored by the Africa Office of the National Council of Churches (NCC), American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), the Episcopal Churchmen for South Africa, International Defense and Aid Fund, Lutheran World Ministries, Phelps-Stokes Fund, Quaker Office for the U.N., United Methodist Office for the U.N., and the World Council of Churches (WCC). The conference was coordinated by Richard Lapchick. Photo reproduced from ACOA Action News
