ETHIOPIA: FOREIGN MINISTER KETEMA YIFRU DECLARES ETHIOPIA'S INTENTION TO FIGHT POSSIBILITY OF BRITISH SALE OF ARMS TO SOUTH AFRICA.

L: His Imperial Majesty Haile Sellasie I R: Ato Ketema Yifru
A Courtesy of Makonnen Ketema Yifru

Ethiopia's Foreign Minister, Ato Ketema Yifru, said in Addis Ababa on Tuesday (July 21) that any decision by Britain to supply arms to South Africa would be fought by his country at the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity.

The Ethiopian Foreign Minister, speaking at a Foreign Press Association luncheon in his honor commented on British Foreign Secretary Sir Alec Douglas-Home's statement in London. Mr. Ato Ketema said:

"Who is going to decide which arms are going to be used for external defence?. We would regret any such decision and would fight it as much as possible, either at the United Nations or at the next OAU Summit Meeting".

He added:

"For the British Government to say that it might sell arms to South Africa to protect the South Atlantic Sea route is far-fetched. Whatever is being done is purely for commercial needs."

The Foreign Minister said that African countries fully realized the attitude of the British Conservative Party towards the African Continent.

Two days later (July 23) in New York at the United Nations, the Security Council Called on all States to ban "unconditionally and without reservation whatsoever" all arms sales to South Africa.

Approving a resolution offered by its African and Asian members, the Council also condemned "violations" of the embargo called for in 1963 and 1964.

The resolution broadened the old embargo the cover also the supply of spare parts, foreign investment in the South African armaments industry, and the training abroad of South African troops.

Britain, France and the United States abstained from voting.