Britain told the Commonwealth sanctions Committee on Wednesday (31 March) that it was sending an immediate grant of five million Pounds sterling (ten million U.S. dollars) to Mozambique as part of a long-term aid plan. India announced a contribution of 50-thousand sterling (100-thousand U.S. dollars).

The committee was meeting at Marlborough House in London to discuss the coordination of ways to help Mozambique in the light of the economic strain it was experiencing since it tightened up full economic sanctions on its border with Rhodesia.

Commonwealth secretary-General Shridath Ramphal reported to the committee on his recent trip to Mozambique where he held talks with President Samora Machel.

The committee later issued a communique calling upon commonwealth governments to give favourable consideration "to an immediate joint commonwealth contribution to Mozambique in the field of technical assistance."
It said a United Nations team which will include a senior official of the Commonwealth Secretariat would go to Mozambique within a week to establish the country's short and medium-term requirements.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General had listed these requirements under the broad headings of balance of payments support, essential items such as food and medical supplies, skilled manpower and technical assistance.

SYNOPSIS: The Commonwealth Sanctions Committee met at Marlborough House in London on Wednesday to discuss the coordination of ways to help Mozambique. The country has been experiencing economic strain since it tightened up full United Nations sanctions on its border with Rhodesia. It was at this meeting that Britain announced it was sending an immediate five million pounds to Mozambique as part of a long-term aid plan. India also committed itself to a contribution of 50-thousand pounds.

The meeting heard a report from Commonwealth Secretary-General Shridath Ramphal on his recent trip to Mozambique where he held talks with President samora Machel. Mr. Ramphal listed the short and medium-term requirements of the country under the broad headings of balance of payments support, essential items such as food and medical supplies, skilled manpower and technical assistance. He later spoke to Visnews about the effectiveness of sanctions against Rhodesia and whether they were an alternative to armed struggle.