American Committee on Africa
New York, New York, United States
1974
4 pages
Contents: A. PROGRAM PRIORITIES • 1. There was strong feeling expressed by several Board and staff members that ACOA should concentrate its work on support (in the Board sense) for the liberation struggles in the Portuguese colonies, at the same time cutting back on other kinds of programs and programs on other areas of Southern Africa. • 2. Others felt a need to have a wider program, including all of southern Africa, legal challenges, research, legislative efforts, corporate campaigns, cultural and sports boycotts – to expose the whole range of U.S. complicity and involve more people from wider constituencies. • 3. Namibia was suggested as a specific focus, as weak...
Contents: A. PROGRAM PRIORITIES • 1. There was strong feeling expressed by several Board and staff members that ACOA should concentrate its work on support (in the Board sense) for the liberation struggles in the Portuguese colonies, at the same time cutting back on other kinds of programs and programs on other areas of Southern Africa. • 2. Others felt a need to have a wider program, including all of southern Africa, legal challenges, research, legislative efforts, corporate campaigns, cultural and sports boycotts – to expose the whole range of U.S. complicity and involve more people from wider constituencies. • 3. Namibia was suggested as a specific focus, as weak spot in the southern Africa block, where change could come without protracted war. • 4. Zimbabwe was also suggested in a similar vein, as a potential key to the liberation of all of southern Africa. • 5. This year’s immediate priorities need to be set: suggest Guinea-Bissau recognition & UN membership. Restore Rhodesia sanctions, research on U.S.-Portuguese relations. • 6. Mass education about southern Africa • 7. More “public relations” is needed • B. ACOA ROLE • 1. ACOA should continue/ develop its catalyst role, pinpointing issues, working with diverse groups to bring pressure, initiate programs where possible • 2. ACOA needs to get program across to the “average” working class American, who through unions, churches • 3. ACOA needs to deal with developing a national constituency of diverse groups, work on coordination with local groups • 4. ACOA needs closer coordination with the OAU and the liberation movements • C. ACOA STRUCTURE •1. ACOA and Africa Fund should split. Africa Fund to do publicized program of fundraising for humanitarian project for Portuguese colonies (Mozambique Inst. etc.). ACOA to focus on political issues: U.S.-Portugal, etc. • 2. ACOA and Africa Fund should work in closer coordination •3. ACOA needs to have active Board committees working closely with staff, perhaps in three areas: Research, Liberation movement projects and U.S. campaigns, fundraising and publicity. • 4. The Board should remain centered only on policy decisions, leaving day to day work to staff. • There should be input and/or representation of the OAU and the liberation movements on the Board. • D. PROCEDURE • 1. There was a consensus reached to have a small Board committee meet with staff to draw up policy proposals to present to another full Board meeting.
Africa
Guinea-Bissau
Namibia
Zimbabwe
English
text/pdf
Used by permission of Africa Action (successor to the American Committee on Africa).
