HOLDEN ROBERTO FROM VISITING ZAMBIA
An accusation published by Pravda that the GRAE [Revolutionary Government of Angola in Exile] is linked with American imperial-~ ism and with Tshombe has been vigorously denied by the leaders of the “Angolan guerrilla movement. In a statement issued February 3 in Algiers, where it has an office, the GRAE scored the charge as a slander.
"The GRAE repeats, once again, that the only reason it has remained in Congo-Léopoldville is because of the logistic advantages offered by the frontier between Congo-Léopoldville and Angola, and also the presence in Congo-Léopoldville of nearly a million Angolans. 2... |
"The Revolutionary Government of Angola in Exile which, in addition, has never rejected the possibility of transferring its headquarters to other neighboring countries of Africa, thanks all those who, despite the slanders and defamatory propaganda, have not wavered for a single moment nor ceased to offer their support and aid to the revolutionary Angolan movement."
The statement declares that "all those who are, really the. friends, not of figures, but of the Angolan people, condemn without equivocation the vile designs of Tshombe with regard to the popular Angolan revolution."
The same statement reveals that Holden Roberto, the head of | Revolutionary Government of Angola in Exile, sought to go to Lusaka, Zambia, on January 25 in response to an invitation from President Kenneth Kaunda. He was formally forbidden by Tshombe's secret police from leaving Congolese territory. 2
"The GRAE," says the statement, "which lodged an energetic protest with the Congolese ‘authorities! against this despotic measure, is compelled to bring these facts (which could lead to disastrous consequences in the progress of the freedom struggle of the Angolan people) to the knowledge of all those devoted to freedom and justice." According to Agence France-Presse (February 2) Tshombe fears that the leaders of the GRAE might go abroad in order to contact Congolese insurgents fighting Tshombe. "The latter, according to a reliable source, is not unaware of GRAE sympathies for the National Liberation Committee and for Mr. Antoine Gizenga. .."