Our visit to Mozambique had an effect on us far greater than we had
anticipated. V/e witnesses a full-scale military revolution in action. But,
even more important, this was a successful revolution b&sed on the leadership of FRELIMO and the courage, resourcefulness, tenacity of the Mozambican people and their determination to see their country free. They freely
admit that an important element in their achievements is the support and
assistance they receive from friends outside, but4we came away convinced
that there is still a great deal more that can be done, particularly by our
'own people here in East Africa,
how v/e can help
One of the best services we can offer is to provide the Mozambican people
with a revolutionary and reliable East and Central African base, A mass
of highly politically conscious people providing a 'revolution in the rear'
impervious to the intrigues of imperialist propaganda, would not only show
practical solidarity for their cause, but would provide a stable base
from which they could consolidate their position in the north and head
south, without having to concern themselves about difficulties v/ith supply
lines, or divert their energies towards cultivating delicate political
relations.  In addition, all of us in East Africa can do a lot as private
persons'. The University College Revolutionary Committee plans to set up
Solidarity Committees throughout East Africa to mobilize material support
for combatants in the Sou-fch, We should be able to provide shoes, clothing,
drugs, even such seemingly unimportant things as paper and chalk.  On our.
return to Tanzania, we immediately sent some writing material and books
to a class v/e had visited, v/here there were more than fifty children writing
in dust with their fingers. Finally, v/e consider that people can do a
great deal if they just think about Africa's problems and about their
responsibilities towards their African brothers still suffering under the
miseries of colonialism.
We also wish to appeal to the East African governments. Assistance is
already given through the OAU Liberation Committee but much more can be
done, without necessarily taxing resources needed for urgent domestic
development. For example, they could permit FRELIMO to buy goods direct
from the factory. Anyone not operating within this country cannot obtain
a trade licence. This means that if FRELIMO wants to buy meat, they cannot go direct to Tanganyika Packers and pay cost price, but have to buy
from a retailer in Mtv/ara, who in turn bought from a v/holesaler in Dar es
Salaam, an Indian with a licence to buy from the factory. Each of these
middle-men takes his no insubstantial profit and the eventual price charged
is considerably higher than the original one. This happens in the clothing
and many other industries. We believe that FRELIMO should be allowed to
purchase direct, those goods that are produced in East Africa*
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