O.A.U. In Stormy Time

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31003, 8 March 1966, Page 17

O.A.U. In Stormy Time

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter —Copyright) ADDIS ABABA, March 7. The Organisation of African Unity wound up its ministerial conference early yesterday after a week of stormy debate which shook it to its foundations.

Eight nations walked out of the conference but all of them made it clear they were not leaving the O.A.U.

The conference chairman, Ato Ketema Yifru, of Ethiopia, told reporters after the final meeting that there had been moments during the 36nation conference when he thought the situation very critical for the O.A.U. itself. “Taking into consideration everything, the outcome of the conference could not have been any better,” he said. “I do believe in staying on and fighting your way out of your difficulties rather than running away from them.” The walk-outs confronted the O.A.U. with its most serious situation since the creation of the body nearly three years ago.

Eight Left Countries who quit the conference were Mali, Guinea, Tanzania, the United Arab Republic, Algeria, Somalia, Kenya and Congo (Brazzaville). Their reasons varied. Some said their governments objected to the presence of a delegation representing the new Ghana regime. Others said the resolution calling on Britain to secure the immediate downfall of the Rhode sian leader, Mr lan Smith, was too weak. After the Kenya team led by the Foreign Minister, Mr

Joseph Murumbi, left the con- ; ference, delegation heads debated for more than two hours ; whether or not to continue i But the council refused to be i stampeded into decisions it i could later regret, and com- I

pleted its work. Delegates from 25 States attended the closing plenary session, which adopted a budget for 1966-67. Officials declined to announce the budget figures. I