He had the wisdom to recognize the fallacy of a distorted United States policy toward Afidcan independence. based almost exclusively on EastWest concerns. So. he urged the President to stand with African nationalists fighting for independence In Angola and Mozambiquenot with their Portuguese overlords. Under his leadership. the Africa Bureau in the State Department established a scholarship program for Portuguesespeaking African refugees. And he called upon this country to "reestablish and expand our contracts with [African nationalists]. overtly as well as covertly." In 1959. before his tenure as Assistant Secretary. Williams told an African Freedom Day rally in New York that American "must exert leadership against the policy of apartheid." He had the foresight as early as August 1962 to oppose United States investment in South Africa because: "Apartheid." he said. "is so pervasive throughout the society that any assistance given to South Africa helps to support it directly or indirectly." And he told Congress that an arms embargo against South Africa. was "the least that the United States (could] do." If Soapy Williams were Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs today. the current fight over additional sanctions against South Africa wouldnt be necessary.
Keywords matched
refugees