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Message from Oliver Tambo to the United Nations Special Committee against apartheid on its 20th anniversary, 02 April 1983

We take the opportunity to extend to the Committee the most cordial fraternal greetings on occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Special Committee.

The Special Committee belongs to the most ardent campaigners internationally in educating world public opinion on the evils of apartheid. The Special Committee has been in the forefront in mobilizing the international community for the total isolation of the Pretoria regime and for all round support for the liberation struggle in South Africa.

The fact that the Chairman of the Special Committee has been given the highest World Peace Council award this year underlines the important role played by the Special Committee in the fight against racism and apartheid, for peace and social progress.

We take the opportunity to salute all the leading figures from the various solidarity committees throughout the world who are taking part in this solemn occasion.

The Pretoria regime has stepped up its brutal repression against all opponents apartheid inside the country. It has stepped up its acts of aggression against neighbouring independent African States. In this the regime is emboldened by Washington, which aids and abets apartheid South Africa in its campaign of destabilisation in the whole region of southern Africa.

We are certain that the Special Committee and other solidarity committees represented there will do their best to expose this conspiracy and bring pressure to bear on the Reagan administration to stop collaborating with this avowed enemy of the African peoples.

Wishing the solemn meeting all the success and pledge that we will do everything in our power to deserve the solidarity we receive by intensifying the liberation struggle for the final liquidation of the racist minority regime in our continent.

ES Reddy