Search

The article presents news briefs and commentary concerning international and U.S. politics as of the week of January 23, 1961. An overview is given of the challenges facing President John F. Kennedy over obtaining foreign economic policy approval from congress. The domestic administrative projects towards the alleviation of economically depressed areas are also discussed. The complexities of U.S.-African foreign relations are examined.

Highlights the foreign relationship of the U.S. with Africa. Cynicism about US policy in some parts of Africa; Political image of the U.S. in Africa; Conceptual framework for US policy in the 60's toward Africa; Objective of the U.S. to keep Africa out of communist bloc; Existence of socialistic pattern of society in Africa; Argument that the US have either bases or political alliances on the African continent; Role of the U.S. in ironing out the tension, which exists between the radicals and the conservatives and between the French-speaking and English-speaking cultural segments in Africa.

The article discusses the censorship of television networks in Portugal by the Armed Forces Movement. The Portuguese government had taken the control of the television network manifested by arresting Maoist editor José Luis Saldanha Sanches arrested for publishing an article that urged Africa-bound soldiers to emancipate from the country. Portuguese President Antonio de Spinola addressed in his speech the concept of democracy or independence to Africans and to embrace the idea of Lusitanian Federation that forms the alliance between Portugal and semi-autonomous African territories.

Presents information on the foreign relations of China with Africa. Intentions of African leaders to use Chinese Communists against the United States and the Soviet Union; Problems of tribalism faced by Africa; Information that the semi-colonial situation of South Africa will continue for a long time yet; Promise of China to provide an unnamed sum, to help Somalis kill Ethiopians and Kenyans; Possibility that there could be a fairly simple unofficial agreement by the US and Russia not to expose each other to dollar-ruble blackmail in Africa.

Reports on some recent socio-political events in the United States. Focus on the policy of the government towards Africa; Issues related to the Tennessee Valley Authority and big business in the country; Report that sixty-three of sixty-four students arrested in the House Un-American Activities riot in San Francisco, California were dismissed and one stands trial; Focus on the intentions of the Church to fight President John F. Kennedy's education bill unless it included low-interest loans to private schools.

The article reports on the message of West Germany's Economics Minister Ludwig Erhard to the 24 African states to visited the country to tackle on both countries trade and political ties. Erhard warned them of the possibility of losing their freedom due to colonialism. Moreover, during their meeting Russian ambassador Andrei Smirnov angrily shouted at Erhard and commented on his guts to talk about freedom when Germany killed 20 million people.

Discusses reasoning put forward by Alex Quaison-Sackey, delegate from Ghana, during the United Nation's (UN) Security Council debate on the Portuguese provinces in Africa. Remarks of Alex Quaison-Sackey, that certain African countries, behind the nationalists, fighting for their independence pose a threat to international peace and security; Insistence of Quaison-Sackey to remove Portugal's continued presence in Angola and Mozambique, by compelling Portugal to arrange at once the transfer of power to Africans; Actions of Jomo Kenyatta's all-African government in Kenya, associated with Ghana in the UN, against Portugal.

Reports on the deflation of rumors that the U.S. State Department might be moderating its intransigent stand on the Rhodesian question by Joseph Palmer, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs. Comparisons between the Rhodesian and American Declarations of Independence; Issuance of a pamphlet by the American-African Affairs Association; Opinion of newsmen and publicists on sanctions.