Carta-circular aos responsáveis dos comités de acção dos estudantes

THE THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE of the ANGOLAN STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA September 10, 1966 - New York --- CORRIGENDA PLEASE READ: 1- THE THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE ANGOLAN STUDENTS’ U N I O N IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 2- Pan African Students Organization in the Americas, Inc. - Page 1, paragraph II, lst line. 3- He was expected..., last line of the third paragraph-page 2. 4- After Sangumba’s report, the group was divided..., page 3, at the beginning of the second paragraph. 5- ... of Groups 2, to wait until tomorrow - page 4 - 4th line. 6- UPA - founded in 1954; MPLA - in 1956; ...it’s said to have... page 10 - paragraph 2.- 7- Mr. Mac Innes - page 14, paragraph 8. --- INTRODUCTION As usual, the Angolan students in the united States of America met for three days in New York City for their Annual Conference in order to elect a new executive committee and to take a close look at the situation of the liberation struggle. The meeting started with a brief and substancial speech by the President of the Section, Mr. Zacarias Cardoso, followed by the Vice-president, Mr. Biela, who presented a report of a last year’s activities. The Vice-President gave the Assembly a satisfactory explanation of what had been accomplished by the Executive Committee during the 1965-1966 period. He also explained the reasons why other things that could have been done were not accomplished. After Mr. Biela had spoken, many questions were raised by the numbers of the Assembly. At the end of the first part of the session Mr. Cardoso called upon the members to consider paying their registration fee, as well as giving their full cooperation and good understanding in order to achieve positive results in our struggle for freedom and liberty, and in our efforts to help our leaders to overcome the dangers and risks in the battle toward independence. Then Mr. Lubota and Mr. Santos were elected the chairman and secretary for the first day. JCH. International Student House 1825 R Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. 2009 THE ANNUAL MEETING of the ANGOLAN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION September 8, 1966 - 2:25 p.m The meeting began with the election of Mr. Lubota as the day president and Mr. Santos as the secretary. Right after the election of officers, the guests were asked to speak. First was introduced the president of the Pan African Students Organization of Africa, Mr. Okereke, who encouraged the participation of the members of the U.N.E.A in that organization and appreciated the opinions from the different student unions. He explained the ideologies involving the character of the organization of which he is the president. Also he pointed out the fact that his organization has a committee on the Southern part of Africa. Finally he explained the remolding of the tribe concept in terms of modern standards of living in the modern communities. Following was introduced to the group the representative of the Mozambique Students Association, Mr. Phillip. This speaker, unlike the first, gave a chance for the floor to rise questions. In the effect, Mr. Zacarias was interested in knowing about the experiences of the Mozambique Students Association. The speaker showed some similarities in their problems in relation to our organization. He said also that they find problems in meeting the needs of the refugees and of the students who want scholarships, and above all unity problems. From the board of Missions there was present Miss Margaret Swift, the person in charge of the Crusade Scholarships. She read the requirements for attaining scholarships - one must be Methodist, sound academically, concerned with working in the church, and have a recommendation from the church back home. The policy or status is applied to all applicants. In answering a question, Miss Swift said further that the candidates for the Crusade Scholarships are neither encouraged to get married nor to get cars. The African students are privileged in coming to the United States even when not ready to start undergraduate work. Whenever feasible, the A.E.C recommends that the African students should study in Africa where schools are available. In response to some questions, Miss Swift made it clear that the students should choose whether to study or get married, and she also mentioned the possibilities for the Angolan students to work in the field elsewhere in Africa as long as Angola isn’t open, instead of waiting in a vacuum. Mr. Johnson was introduced as the representative of the African-American Institute. He summarized his presentation into three specific points. First, that all the students should plan their studies according to the future of the country, Angola. Second, that the Angolan students should apply for the secondary school which the African-American Institute has been supporting in Zambia for Africans. Thirdly and last he deplored the lack of contact with the American people as far as the Angolan revolution is concerned. He is expected to be back Saturday morning. The President of the Central Committee gave his report on UNEA through the world. (See the report). Rev. Chipenda emphasized that if the UNEA is still alive it is because the section in America (U.S) is still living. Our delegate to the International Student Association, Mr. Sangumba, gave his report of the meeting which took place in Nairobi, Kenya. The meetings, he said, lasted from August 17 to August 27. The UNEA was fully accepted by the organization. There were present as the meeting 220 delegates. Some countries offered scholarships to our students. (See the report). There was a draft on the Portuguese Territories. (Read the resolution.) The group was divided into three small groups to list and present several ideas, problems of the future. Antoine Nsingi led Group 1, Alexandre Group 2, and Abel Guimarães Group 3. The lists of the points were heard and it was suggested that they be combined by three members, one from each group. The session was adjourned until 8:30 p.m. The session was reopened with two motions. Neusala's motion was that we should discuss the items on the three lists as we go along. Andre’s motion was that the group should meet again to complete the lists and the three members should use the last 30 minutes to combine the lists of the points. Andre’s motion was defeated by 11 to 4. The list of Group 1 was discussed as follows: (1). Retaliations among Angolan students. - Recommendation - as the existence of neutralism in the UNEA is designed to find the common ground in which all the students, regardless of political parties to which they belong, can discuss the national issues as students. Person to person relations should be encouraged in order to break down the different ideologies. The collector of dues should be treated with friendliness. (2). Collaboration between the UNEA and the political parties. Recommendation - a delegation should be sent to take and get adequate information on what is going on. It would be better to do this through the central committee. There should be found several approaches to reach the leaders of the parties as by mail, paper, etc. (3). Study of the specific things students can do at their schools. Recommendation: students can work to raise funds or introduce the Angolan situation in the school paper. (4 & 5). The points 4 and 5 were postponed until the following day. 4. Changes in the Revolution. 5. Student responsibilities for dues. Also, of the three main points of Group 2, two await tomorrow. 1. Political programs. 2. Social programs. 3. Financial programs. (See appendix.) Group 3 presented three points. 1. Communication between action and central committee. 2. Money - the member should realize the internal needs of the organization. 3. The participation of the students should be free. They should be able to criticize the GRAE or any political party. The meeting was adjourned until September 9, 1966 at 9:00 am. after electing Mr. Chiceva as the president and João Sebastião as secretary. OTHER SUGGESTIONS TO THE ASSEMBLY 1. The debate must be limited to the subject being discussed. The chairman should bring back to order any speaker failing to adhere to the subject under discussion. 2. The chairman shall recognize those requesting the floor by the following order of precedence: a) Point of order b) Point of information c) Other intervention 3. A point of order must be heard at all times, except during the act of voting. It must deal with conduct of the procedure of the meeting and concern only such matters as in decorum, transgression of the Standing orders, transgression of the Conference rules, or calling attention to the introduction of matters not relevant to the question under consideration. 4. If a point of information is requested from a person holding the floor he may decide whether or not he wishes to be interrupted at that time. A point of information shall consist of a question related to the subject under immediate discussion. 1. Political programs a) Recommendations to central committee for contact with the political parties for Angolan revolution problems in the light of the new realities. b) Delegation to consider “sure place” the Angolan realities; to meet Angolan leaders and non-Angolan leaders in Africa. c) Recommendation to the Central Committee to get in touch with other Angolan students, mainly UGEAN (CAN) for eventual unity of all Angolan students. d) Propaganda in the U.S papers and contact the Negro organizations such as Core, SNCC, NAACP, etc. Recommendation to Central Executive Committee. 2. Social programs a. UNEA section in the u.S help to form other sections in Europe and Africa. b. To give power to the students far away such as in California and other areas of the U.S to work effectively with the UNEA and for Angola as a whole, presenting a report from time to time to the National Executive Committee. c. Recommendation to the Central Executive Committee to get in touch with the Lovanium students to implement program with refugees in the Congo and to meet immediately with other refugee students in the Congo for the formation of a stronger and more effective section of the UNEA in the Congo. The U.S section will be responsible for fund campaigns for the implementation of their programs. d. The U.S Section Executive Committee may visit twice a year the centers in which other students are studying (USA). e. Recommendations to the Congo UNEA section to embrace all students in the Congo, including girls and special attention should be given to them. f. Implementation of programs in the USA a. Cultural shows b. Delivering of speeches about Angola c. Recording of an Angolan record g. Recommendation to the Central Committee to get in touch with Angolan syndicalists and other Angolan social organizations in Africa. 3. Financial Programs. a. Calling upon all Angolan students for their membership dues ($2.00 monthly). b. Raising funds for refugees in collaboration with all Angolan interested in collection of clothes, food, medicine for refugees in the Congo, Zambia, Katanga and Congo-Brazzaville. September 9, 1966 The meeting which should have started at nine 0’clock began at 9:45. However, before the session was summoned into order, Mr. Neusala presented a motion that the session should remain closed until the rest of the members were present, because the number which which was present did not constitute two-thirds or a quorum. On the other hand, Mr. Cardoso presented another motion which said that the session should be opened, because it was late, and most of all he thought that everyone was responsible enough to be there on time. With two motions on the floor, Mr. Neusala’s motion was defeated by a vote of eight to two. Thus our session began. The first speaker of the day, Mr. Santos, told us of the Nineteenth Congress of the U.S.N.S.A which took place at the University of Illinois where more than 1200 delegates and observers were present. The UNEA section which was present at that Congress was represented by our comrade Neusala and Mr. Santos himself. Speaking on the Portuguese colonies, the U.S.N.S.A. condemned all the atrocities committed by the Portuguese against the Angolan people and demanded immediate independence for suppressed people. Furthermore, it urged the U.S Government to seek through the United Nations immediate independence for the Angolans. In addition to the U.S.N.S.A. recommended that the State Department should find the way of helping Southern African students to have passports from the U.S. After he has spoken, various suggestions were made as to whether or not the U.S could give the Angolans a passport which could allow anyone to travel anywhere. However, later it was suggested that this question should be postponed until further notice, when the new committee is formed. Then this matter would be more deeply studied. Open to any questions: - Mr. Antoine Nsingi who has the floor at the time stressed once more the idea that all of us should be aware of the political situation at present and that everyone of us should give full cooperation and hard work for the achievement of our independence. Mr. William of Senegal, a member of the Committee of Twenty-four of the United Nations, said in the opening of his speech that he was very happy to be with us and to talk at our meeting. He said that today we are faced with such powers as Britain, France and Portugal which all means tend to exploit Southern Africa because of its riches. Being that the reasons is an economical one, those powers would never leave such places as South Africa, Angola, Rhodesia, etc., because of the large investments which such powers have there. Consequently, the natives are subjected to low wages while under the master, low standards of education, lack of technical skill, etc. He thinks that the idea of the Portuguese to call everyone Portuguese or rather try to convert one into such is impractical and stupid. Because, he said, no one wants to become what he is not. However, he pointed out that the Portuguese did succeed in converting a small minority. Further, Mr. William said that many resolutions passed by the Security Council are doomed to fail because such powers as Britain, France and the United States, which have the veto power, use it only to accomplish their purposes. As an example, he said the Rhodesian situation failed because, before the Security Council could meet, Britain had influenced most of the member friends to abstain on the matter, and, automatically, the voting became useless. He added later that a power like the U.S. uses sort of bribery to convince its friends that, if they vote against a particular matter, the aid which is supposed to be given to them will be closed. These and other methods used by those powers have hampered African success in the U.N. Mr. Carlos Gonçalves, the representative of the GRAE, started by saying that once more he was very happy to be among Angolans and to speak to them, and also that he is the representative of the only government which can liberate Angola. He said that he came to tell us of the actual situation, because he said that every one of us is needed to participate in the liberation of our country. He also added that the only solution for the Angolan problem is force. By giving examples of colonial Powers such as Britain, France and Portugal, he said that once the actual economic profit by which those powers are profiting ends, automatically those same powers will change their positions. Moving now toward military problems, he said that it may seem that many of us are tired of hearing of the fighting each year, but the truth is that the fighting still is going on, and that all this news comes from the Kinshasa channel. He also pointed out that the fighting has gone as far as Nambuangongo and the Portuguese have encountered resistance from the guerrilla fighters. He encouraged all students in foreign countries, once they have finished their studies, to go back to fight, and further he expected every one of us to put into practice what we have learnt of usefulness abroad. Proceeding, Mr. Carlos pointed out that the President of the GREA has established a program by which all those who have finished their studies are to put themselves in contact with the office. In 1960 and 1961 the Portuguese economy was very strong, he said. However, today they no longer occupy any more plantations of coffee. Also he said that 45 percent of the Angolan export is sent to the U.S.A. in order that with that same export the Portuguese can get money in order to support their military commitment there. Elisio Figueiredo, in his brief speech, made us all sure that the situation in Angola is doomed to fall unless there is union. Although he is not a representative of Angola in the United Nations, by being in contact with several of its members he found out that the Angolan problem in the international circle is less and less heard. He said that unless something happens suddenly, we might have no other chance of hearing about our country again. He also said that there is a military alliance between Portugal and Rhodesia. Further, he said the Bank of Angola was also the Bank of South Africa. To end, he stated that we do not constitute a force in international opinion right now, and unless we unite ourselves we will never be a force. Job de Carvalho’s speech on Angolan Nationalism was more poetical than nationalistic but we have to consider his point that a student must always be bulwark of his country. Sangumba, in his speech on Angolan Nationalism, stressed his points on the origins of the U.P.A. and the M.P.L.A. The U.P.A. which comes from U.P.N.A., said Mr. Sangumba, was founded in 1964 and mainly concentrated its activities in the North. The movement is led by Holden Roberto and holds at least 70,000 members. Unlike U.P.A., M.P.L.A. was formed in 1956, and is an amalgamation of a number of smaller parties and has worked to the unification of all nationalist forces in Angola. This organization is led by Agostinho Neto and it is said they have 35,000 members. In 1962, in the year of armed struggle, against Portugal, the U.P.A. joined with the P.D.A. (Partido Democrático de Angola) to form the Frente de Libertação National de Angola (F.N.L.A), later on the same year, GRAE, the Angolan Government in Exile was formed. He also said that several attempts have been made to unite the two into a common front mostly by the Organization of African Unity. In July, 1964, the O.A.U. entrusted the task of rapprochement to a special sub-committee. As a result of the sub-committee’s report, a decision as taken by the O.A.U. in February, 1965 which extended assistance to both GRAE and MPLA, with Roberto receiving 2/3 of the aid and Neto 1/3. Speaking further on the struggle, Mr. Sangumba said that as least 250,000 people have lost their lives in the past four years while between 500,00 and a million Angolans are now refugees in the Congo. The area once controlled by FNLA is now once more under Portuguese control. He said also that according to the news agency (Leusitanis) the 1966 budget for Portugal’s West African province of Angola has a credit balance of 5,500,000 escudos (£ 670,000) and also they announced that the military region of Angola would receive 104,000,000 escudos (£ 1,300,000) from the Province’s Governor-General for urgent defense expenditure. He also said that in December, 1965 GRAE reported that Portuguese forces in Angola then numbered about 70,000 and were backed by heavy tanks, guns, and the latest aircraft fighters and various kinds of bombs, and also that the Angolan military establishment is costing Portugal two- fifths of its national budget. All this report given by GRAE, said Mr. Sangumba was given when the Portuguese Foreign Minister was reporting in the U.N. that everything was at its usual condition in Angola. Mr. Guba, who was invited to speak on Syndicalism, expressed his sentiment concerning the refugees actually living in Kinshasa. He said that the Labor Movement was established to help all workers. And through the same movement, assistance is gotten to help the refugees. The L.G.T.A. affiliated itself with the trade Union where there is great cooperation. In addition to his comments Mr. Guba spoke of Angolan Nationalism saying that there are some who define politics as social science, and there are others who consider that the science is a lie. In concluding this speech he asked that we should be flexible when we discuss our leaders, because no one knows really what is happening because some of us left Africa a long time ago. The las speaker of the day, Mr. Jean Ngunga, the Congolese Charge d’Affairs, thanked our President for inviting him to speak at our conference about refugees. He stressed that his government is a vital point for the future struggle of Angola. And he added that his government is willing to help in our fight until our final victory. He regretted the loss of many in our families and friends who died in combat, and he deeply gave us his sympathy. Then he reminded us of the many refugees who actually find themselves living in the Congo, of the scholarship assistance to the same Angolans living there, and also of the medical assistance. Although the Portuguese have been threatening their security, they have ceded us a base where the guerrilla fighters have been making attacks against the Portuguese forces. Also he regrets that the Congo which is an independent country still is under foreign domination; however, even so they will always give assistance to their Angolan brothers because as, in his words, a Congolese is an Angolan, and an Angolan is a Congolese. He advised us that because we are studying in Europe, or any Eastern country, one must not adhere to any ideologies but think himself as an African. Going further, he advised that one must not act as a capitalist, which is a (owner), closing thus the door to his fellowman, even his family. He said also that we are the leaders of tomorrow and as long as we study in a foreign country we must put our knowledge to the benefit of our country. September 10, 1966 It was exactly 10:00 a.m. when everybody started getting into the conference room. At 10:45 approximately, the assembly elected both Mr. Isaac Sangumba and Abel Guimarães as President and Secretary of the session. At 10:50 Mr. Sangumba opened the session by introducing Mr. Norby as our first speaker. Mr. Norby started relating the role of the church in both Lower and Haut-Congos. As far as the Lower Congo is concerned, he said most refugees who came there were predominantly from the northern part of Angola (Kikongo speaking people) although a few were originally from the southern part of Angola. The Lower Congo was facing starvation, but owing to the food help received from the Red Cross the Angolans were able to save the Lower Congo from starvation. America at that time had supplied 600,000 packages of vegetables for refugees. The refugees were given cards to enable them to get food from the Red Cross Center. For the sake of emergency, the hospital of Kimpess was opened for refugees who made of 6% of the patients. Regarding education, Sonabata was also opened for Angolan refugees. 50 among 800 students were Angolans. These students, according to Mr. Norby, as soon as they complete their secondary education, are sent to Ecole de Droit et administration. As a result, of some of those Angolans who did not have a chance to learn or did learn but in a very little amount, the church felt that another school for practical training would benefit those people by teaching some things like agriculture, etc. The Haut-Congo (Katanga), on the other hand, was becoming crowded with Angolan refugees mostly from the southern part of Angola (Umbundu-speaking people). However, considering the relations between Portugal and Katanga, the church was able to assist only in a very slight amount. Questions: By Santos - Do you help refugees in Congo-Brazzaville? Answer - We cannot help in Brazzaville because the help sent by Americans is designated only for Congo-Leopoldville. By Alexandre - Is it possible for somebody who is not affiliated with any political party to be accepted in the Lower Congo as a teacher? Answer - It is not wise to do so as a result of political tensions; however, we will take anyone of you regardless of your political tendency. By Mulato - What other opportunities will Angolans have for studying besides Kimpess, considering the fact that some Angolans speak no Portuguese? Answer - Through CPRA we are working with different institutions like AAI, embassies, etc., and we recommend those institutions to check the background of these people so that we can know what else is possible to be done. By Maria Skela - Are there many girls receiving help; if so, what type? Answer - We are giving more priorities to girls as far as scholarships are concerned. By Gonçalves Carlos - Should the action undertaken by ELNA be halted? If this is the case, who should be the leader? Answers - As far as I am concerned, by the students are the best representative of the mess. Now, if you do not come together, we are not going to support your leaders. Mr. Norby was followed by Mr. Johnson from the AAI. Mr. Johnson described the work of the AAI so far and the way it functions. In addition, Mr. Johnson related the AAI’s financial sources, and the meaning of AAI itself. The AAI, said Mr. Johnson, is a private institution working in cooperation with the State Department. It gets its financial help from the State Department. AAI is not only an organization of one department, but it is composed of various departments of which the Southern African program is one. The AAI program is simply designated for four years; however, it extends for more than that in some exceptional cases. AAI selects students through State Department officials abroad. After that, Mr. Johnson stated the areas of studies with which Angolan students should be more concerned. For example, he said scientific and technical education is extensively needed for the Angola of tomorrow. He pointed out some of the fields like agriculture, geology, math, veterinary medicine, etc., which are still empty. Then he continued by saying that the important fields he mentioned were based upon the following reasons: 1. They are good for the Angolan tomorrow 2. They are good even if Angola is not independent yet 3. They are good no matter which political party you wish to join Angola, he said, has a lot on minerals, therefore roads and other Angolan means of communication will be needed. Mr. Johnson appealed to UNEA to give considerations to these things, especially by helping or giving suggestions to new students through African centers as far as fields of study are concerned. Next, Mr. Johnson declares the place where AAI has built its secondary schools for refugees, these being Zambia and Dar es Salaam. Questions: By Chipenda - Is there any type of school to help students choosing fields? Answer - It is not a matter of school but it is instead a matter of advice and vocation. By Gonçalves - Is there any possibility of assisting schools undertaken by our GRAE in the Congo? If so, are you doing so? Answer - Yes, we have already talked with the officials responsible for these schools and have given them material help. By Cardoso - Is it possible for AAI to consider tickets or ways of transportation for Angolans during annual meetings? Answer - We would be in a position to make some exceptions in our policy during this particular time. By Lubota - Up to what extent does AAI support the students? (Masters? Phd?) Because the African centers dis courage students from taking science courses. Answer - It is not true because I have talked to the African centers’ officials and with students themselves. The program as you know is only designed for 4 years, but we shall extend up to MA with condition that a student holds a B average. By Mulato - Is it possible for students to be selected through UNEA? Answer - It is good to some extent but but not in all cases. By Kassanga - There exist some students who call themselves Angolans in one African center and Congolese outside it. How do you feel about it? Answer - As far as we know most students have traveling documents although we do not know the realities. Finally the questions of those Angolans who call themselves Congolese was unanimously discussed and it was decided to discuss it again at a closed door conference since it is internal matter. The third speaker was Mr. MacKendge. Although he did not speak too much, Mr. MacKendge told the assembly very important things. He said he would be interested in helping UNEA and to see UNEA being nothing else but themselves and successful in the Revolution. He described his voyage and contacts he faced with MPLA in Kenya and Dar es Salaam. Mr. MacKendge talked with several refugees there and met the UNEA delegation to CIE in Kenya. Then to conclude he said, “I would like to see you come to my office at the U.N. so that you can expose your question before the U.N. as well as to our church center.” Questions: By Biela - What were your impressions after contacting MPLA representatives? Answer - As a matter of fact, I saw the work of MPLA in Zambia and also UNITA but I could find none of the main leaders to talk with. However, with some of the MPLA officials we discussed the areas where the UN could operate to contribute to the struggle. The result was having an information center in the name of UNEA. By Gonçalves - Is UNEA supposed to be an independent organization with regard to the revolutionary struggle? Or just a humanitarian organization? If so, what contribution could they offer to the Revolution, according to American opinion? Answer - Yes, independent. I cannot answer the other questions because I am not and American citizen. By Jose Chipenda - How could students be helpful? Answer - The initiative has to come first from you because stimulus comes before response. UNEA is the most representative organ of the Angolan people. After that the meeting was adjourned by the president so that people could have a break. At 2:00 pm the meeting was called again. It started with the revision of the Constitution presented by Venancio Biela to be approved by the Assembly. Biela mentioned the reasons for the executive having initiated the revision of the Constitution. He said “For the better functioning of the organization.” Most of the amendments were accepted at the beginning except the alinia (b) of the first article which was opposed by Job de Carvalho in that UNEA in the U.S. is an organization independent of any government or political party. Job’s argument was that there was need to mention Government because we might refer even to a Portuguese government if that is the case. He urged therefore Government be eliminated and remain only “instituições politicas”. This idea, however, brought some kind of tension. Some were opposed to it, people like Alexandre Lubota, and favoured by some students like Adelia Lukundo and Jacinto F. After a long discussion, two final ideas were brought out as to whether UNEA should be an independent organization from parties or not. Jacob Pereira suggested that the constitution of the section be compatible with the one in the Central Committee. Before these two ideas could be put to a vote, the President of the session adjourned the meeting because the assembly did not form a quorum. After he came back, the motions were put to a vote. Finally it was unanimously agreed that UNEA would be independent of any political party but in cooperation with them for the benefit of the Angolan people. Before the conclusion of the amendments the assembly felt that the time should be given to our brother from Mozambique for him to tell us some things and then afterwards we could continue our discussion. The Mozambique delegate simply told us about the independence of UNEMO. He said that the independence of UNEA as well as of UNEMO should be well defined. Our organizations, he said, must be independent but cooperate with political parties. In conclusion, he said, “I hope UNEMO will step a common front in the near future” All other amendments were collectively agreed to by the Assembly: Article III - a) The Committee of the Section, which was composed of 6 members, now is composed of 5. The functions of the Secretary of Information were transferred to the Secretary General. Article 7 - A member who does not pay his contribution three months before the annual meetings would not be eligible for election. Some functions exercises by the General Secretary were transferred to the President; for example, he will be in charge of travel and passports of students and also of appointing people who will represent the organizations at student conferences. Before the elections time was given to Mr. Chisseva to speak on nationalism. The main point of Comrade Chisseva’s was that why are “pretos” particularly those from Angola to whom he was referring not able to do one thing in common? This is the cause which is preventing us from defeating the Portuguese. Comrade Chisseva in his speech gave us a very obvious example about a Portuguese journalist Joaquim Ventura who was once asked whether or not the Angolan could win the war. In reply Joaquim Ventura said no, because even 95% of them are not aware of what is going on; secondly, the “pretos”, to use his words, are not able to organize anything in common. Comrade Chisseva therefore made an appeal to the assembly to reorganize our forces and appoint one and only one leader who will frankly accept collaboration with others, if total independence is desired. Then we shall be able to plan the future of our children. In short, Comrade Chisseva meant that unity and only unity makes strength. Otherwise no solution to our problems will be possible. Thus, do not expect somebody else to fight or to give you freedom, but you have to work for it yourself. After Comrade Chisseva’s speech, we got into the elections. In summary, the committee remained the same according to the assembly’s opinion, but some changes were made like General Secretary, Treasurer and Controller. Although they were reelected, both the Treasurer and the Controller preferred to leave these posts so that everybody could have a chance to experience for themselves the work of UNEA. Comrade Chisseva was elected as General Secretary, Abel Guimarães as Controller, João Sebastião as Treasurer, while the other posts remained with the same people. REPORT on the NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE U.S.N.S.A. By Andre Santos The Nineteenth Congress was held at the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois from October 20 through September 1. There were more than 1200 delegates and observers. The whole Congres was divided into five seminars. IA - Total Education Environment IB - Teacher - Learning and Curriculum Evaluation IC - Student Program to Supplement Curriculum II - Student Government and Total Community III - Student Government and Student Freedom IVA - Student Services IVB - Student Government Reform IVC - Cultural Affairs V - International Affairs The UNEA Section in the U.S. was represented by Nensala and myself. Of course we participated in the fifth seminar - International Affairs. Besides the seminars there were the workshops on: Campus Political Parties Course and Teacher Evaluation The Draft and the National Service Proposal Drugs - Legal and Medical Considerations Educational Use of the University: MSU Proposal Experimental Education - II 18 years old vote: Student Power with Problems Organization of the Unorganized - I Vietnam - II Small College Program Set Education Programming Freshman Orientation Computer School Programs The Draft in a Democratic Nation Radical Education Reform within the System South and Southwest Africa World Law and Order