THE ANTI-APARTHEID CAMPAIGN (1) — ATGRDEEN by Alec DBagloy
Details are being sought of the financial position of the South African Foundation, tho anti-boycott propnganda organisation which is backed by the South African Government. This is being done after the S.AeF. intervened in the recent struggle in Aberdeen. Councillor Hughes has asked Mr. Yeowart, the Foundation's London director, for details of its source of funds, “in order that we know to what extent British as woll as South African firms contribute to the running of the Foundation.”
I am not entirely convinced by local assertions here that the SAF is a paper tiger! There's little doubt that if the trawler order had been cancelled, the Council would have been under considerable pressure to climb down. Other areas might be as vulnerable (or more vulnorable) as Aberdeen to South African pressure. And the SAF only need one victory of this sort to seriously harm the boycott movement. In my view any local boycott movement will in future have to consider the power of organised South African capital, end relate local action to a comprehensive economic policy. This may not be the concern of the Anti-Apartheid Movement, but it has to be the concern of all those who want to protect jobs in this country. nother point which emerged sharply is the amazing ignorance of people inside and outside the Labour movement of the sensational nature of the oppression in South Africasce.