GENERAL COMMENTS PRESS CONFERENCES, RADIO AND TELEVISION INTERVIEWS In all of the countries visited, the members of the study mission held press conferences. Members were also interviewed on television and radio in some of the countries visited. The study mission was questioned concerning many subjects, but the two main topics concerned the race problem here at home and the Rhodesian crisis. Mission members did not attempt to defend the race problem here, but indicated on the positive side many examples of progress which have been made in the issuance of judicial edicts and in the enactment of laws by the Congress and through executive action which has been taken on Federal, State, and local levels. It was made clear that the official policy of the United States is in opposition to inequality; that this is significant, and that continuing efforts are being made to eliminate inequality. Concerning the Rhodesian crisis, it was explained that U.S. policy now is to follow the lead of the United Kingdom which has primary responsibility in this area, but this does not preclude certain independent steps being taken if deemed feasible. CONFERENCES WITH LEADERS OF GOVERNMENT Meetings with high government officials brought forth fruitful discussions concerning the problems of individual countries. All of the nations are striving to attain economic and social development in the shortest period of time. The study mission met with seven heads of state in the eight countries visited. The only one not seen was President Bourguiba of Tunisia, who was out of the country, but his son, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Habib Bourguiba, Jr., met with the members. The leaders stressed that Africa's major problems are combating poverty, ignorance, and disease. Their emphasis, they said, is to create an awareness among the Africans to learn and to work harder at nation building. They feel the process is slow, but that evidence is visible that advancement in trade, new industries, and in health and education has been made in some countries. ONE-PARTY, ONE-MAN-RULE POLITICS Although a one-man, one-party rule is the dominant political system in the countries visited, African leaders feel the system is best suited to their needs. They feel they cannot afford the luxury of opposition forces, as we know them, at this stage of their development. This underscores the importance of American understanding that democracy, as we know it, is not necessarily the most ideal form of government in the new African nations. 58-019 0-66 TRIBALISM For centuries tribalism has been the traditional form of organization among Africans. It has dominated the pattern of life in political, economic, and social affairs. When metropolitan countries moved into Africa, they created arbitrary boundaries for territories which did not follow these tribal entities. These lines cut through tribal lands separating tribe members from kinsmen who became residents of another country. When independence arrived and territories achieved a state of sovereignty, the most important task of the new government was to unite the various tribes into the new system of government. The boundary separation of tribe members has not permitted this to be fully accomplished, however. Thus today, this is part of the problem involved in certain border disputes. Additionally, the rise of the kind of strong central governments which prevail in African countries today has created problems, in the accompanying reduction of the influence and powers of tribal chiefs, which are analogous to the States rights versus Federal Government power issues in the United States. MILITARY COUPS Since January 1964, there have been nine military coups in Africa In each the rationale was based on alleged corruption and extravagance on the part of the previous regime. In each case, military leaders have stated they would be taking over the government temporarily only in order to put the country back on its feet and exercise the discipline necessary to restore stability, following which the government would be returned to some kind of parliamentary system. In two of the countries visited by the study mission, ample evidence of unrest predicted trouble ahead. The study mission, arriving in another country shortly after a military government had taken over, had opportunity to witness the early stages of its transition. THREAT OF COMMUNISM ON THE CONTINENT Many African leaders have spoken out against Red Chinese infiltration and subversion, notably President Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, who is one of the architects of east African nationalism, and President Houphouet-Boigny of the Ivory Coast. There is an awareness among the leaders of Africa of the dangers of Red Chinese domination on the continent. In two of the nations in which coups have occurred, diplomatic relations with the Government of Red China have been terminated. There was no indication in the countries visited of a desire to exchange their newly won independence for neocolonial communism. Soviet communism does not appear to be as great a threat as militant Chinese communism, though the Soviet threat is more sophisticated. While many of the nations are recipients of Soviet aid and Russian technicians have been acceptable to them, there is evidence of African disenchantment because many Soviet commitments have not been fulfilled and some of the assistance has turned out to be impractical. The threat of communism is diminished to some degree by a sort of personality clash between the Africans and the Russians and Chinese. The Russians and Chinese tend to be provincial in their associations. They do not move around very much, tending to isolate themselves from the African community. As a result, they have problems in communication with the Africans on a social basis, an important factor in developing the kind of rapport necessary to Communist objectives. TUNISIA Tunisia achieved her independence from France in 1956. Habib Bourguiba, now President, was the leader of the preindependence political forces. Through his efforts and his effective leadership, the Tunisians formed their own government. The Republic is comparatively new but the area in which it lies is rich in culture and tradition. Originally the site of Carthage, a Phoenician trading center and rival of the Roman Empire, the nation's history provides a study of the determined efforts of these people to achieve a stature of independence and progress. Americans should feel a close relationship with Tunisia. Located near the ancient city of Carthage is the American North Africa Military Cemetery. The cemetery is the final resting place of 2,840 American servicemen who gave their lives in Africa and the Middle East during World War II in fighting the forces of nazism and fascism. The land was donated by France to the United States in 1948, and the cemetery is under the jurisdiction of the American Battle Monuments Commission. Memorial Day ceremonies are held annually as well as other nondenominational services. An American is on duty there each day of the year. The study mission visited the cemetery on Tuesday, November 30. The study mission met with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the President of the National Assembly and had discussions on Tunisia's economic problems. The members of the study mission visited the following AID projects: Mornag Experiment Station. One of the most promising projects is the Mornag Experiment Station established in 1961 and one of 28 experiment stations, nurseries, and demonstration parcels for training of young Tunisian farmers under the auspices of the United States and Tunisian Government. These stations contribute to the development, improvement, and production of indigenous and American fruit and vegetable crop varieties. Assistance for this project was phased out in 1964 when aid was no longer necessary. Prior to the establishment of this project, the Tunisian Government spent millions of hard currency reserves in the importation of fruits, vegetables, and fruit tree seedlings. Because of a favorable climate assuring early harvests, and as a result of improved technological and agricultural methods, Tunisia is now advancing to the stage where it can profitably export fruits and vegetables to Europe and adjacent African countries. The success of this project should be an inducement for AID to appraise the expansion of agricultural experimental stations in the country, if more appear warranted, or in other fields such as cereals or livestock. Khledia Railroad Bridge.-Another AID project which deserves worthy comment is the Khledia railroad bridge. On October 31, 1964, this bridge, the connecting link to Tunisia's ore mines, was completely washed out by a flood. Tunisian engineers estimated that it would require 6 months to replace it. Meanwhile, |