Williams Says U.S. Should Try To Boost Independence in Africa

"We go to them and congratulate them on 33 new nations in 12 years, and they say, "We've got five that aren't independent and what are you going to do about it?'"

Thus G. Mennen Williams, Undersecretary of State of African Affairs, summed up the major problem facing the United States in its African relations.

In a speech at Kirkland House, the former governor of Michigan said that the United States has maintained a policy of supporting self-determination wherever possible during the past decade African emergence. He added that this country must new continue its efforts to promote the stable independence of the remaining colonial areas.

He emphasized that the creation of: stable government is a battle for contro of the stomachs rather than the minds of the people. The Africans' desire for social equality, particularly on the economic level, is dominant now that independence had been won.

"The continuity and peace of African nations are dependent on the ability of the governments to give the people what they want." According to Williams, this means that the three biggest problems of American policy in Africa are improving the low standard of living, increasing the 15 per cent literacy rate, and conquering the persisting disease.

He said these basic problems strengthen his belief in foreign aid. "Aid does not buy friends. It helps realize the conditions that will strengthen governments and fend off subversion. The U. S. response is triggered by our traditions, idealism, and a desire to protect our own security."

Williams said that the African nations keep their foreign policy non-aligned because they want to establish their own personality.

To Illustrate the feelings of Africn today, Williams related this cryptic comment by an African leader. "Yes, we're non-aligned, but that doesn't mean we're uncommitted."

He emphasized that the creation of: stable government is a battle for contro of the stomachs rather than the minds of the people. The Africans' desire for social equality, particularly on the economic level, is dominant now that independence had been won.

"The continuity and peace of African nations are dependent on the ability of the governments to give the people what they want." According to Williams, this means that the three biggest problems of American policy in Africa are improving the low standard of living, increasing the 15 per cent literacy rate, and conquering the persisting disease.

He said these basic problems strengthen his belief in foreign aid. "Aid does not buy friends. It helps realize the conditions that will strengthen governments and fend off subversion. The U. S. response is triggered by our traditions, idealism, and a desire to protect our own security."

Williams said that the African nations keep their foreign policy non-aligned because they want to establish their own personality.

To Illustrate the feelings of Africn today, Williams related this cryptic comment by an African leader. "Yes, we're non-aligned, but that doesn't mean we're uncommitted."