Friday, May 25th 1973.

Footage of General Idi Amin, President of Uganda, suggesting the formation of an African military alliance along the lines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the Warsaw Pact which would "liberate" African countries under foreign domination.

Amin was referring to the African territories which were still colonised by Portugal as well as the minority whiteled regimes in Rhodesia (later Zimbabwe), South Africa and South West Africa (later Namibia). He also mentioned the occupation of the Sinai region of Egypt by Israel.

Transcription of General Amin's words:

"I will speak with very strong words, especially on Africa, as these are revolutionary words which everybody must take this point very carefully. And I am speaking from the bottom of my heart, not (indistinct) speech. Now I thank you and I would like to speak briefly because I know that we will speak in detail with the heads of state and also of government when we sit completely ourselves in detailed discussion about the liberation of Africa, economy and also communications. But now, briefly, about the liberation of Africa. I would like to say that if Africa, Asia, blindly was recruited, even kidnapped, by the damn imperialists fighting in Asia, in Europe for King George the Sixth, for Her Majesty the Queen, America fighting in Vietnam, why can't Africa stop all what we are discussing here and form an alliance also, like NATO and Warsaw Pact."

Amin was speaking at the tenth anniversay conference of the OAU , held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Source: Reuters News Archive.

Note:

Amin also brought the audience to laughter during his speech which were not captured on this reuters film:

1. There were roars of laughter when he claimed that he only agreed to take power from Militon Obote in 1971 after a request by the army which had arrested and detained him for eight hours.

2. Amin caused further laughter and cheering when he crossed to shake hands with President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, who has refused to recognise the Amin regime and has given refuge to Dr. Obote.