The Afro Asian States And Their Problems

This reissue of Sandar Panikkar’s 1959 book is based upon a series of lectures given at the Institut d’Etude de Development Economique et Social, which spotlights the problems faced by the multitude of African and Asian states which achieved independence between 1945 and 1957. From Asia, the author discusses the plight of India, Pakistan, Burma, Indonesia, Ceylon, Vietnam, Cambodia, laos, Syria and Lebanon whilst in Africa he assesses the independence of the Sudan, Tunisia, Morroco and Ghana. The problems faced by these countries have many similarities, not least the need to develop systems of political organisation, administrative services necessary for a modern government and the need to completely reorganise their economy.

When the United Nations' Charter was signed in San Francisco in 1945, the number of African member states of the Organisation was only 4. By the end of 1960 it had risen to 22. Today it is 41. How has this come about? The answer is given in this valuable book by Dr. Yassin EI-Ayouty. The handful of Asian and African countries who had the privilege of foundation membership made it their business to see to it that their brethren who were still under the colonial yoke attained their freedom and independence as soon as possible and, in the meanwhile, that they were treated with decency and fairness by their colonial masters. It was a tough assignment. The struggle was long, requiring a great deal of patience and endurance. It was at times fierce, requiring much dogged resolution. It also called for the deployment of intellectual agility ofthe highest order. Fortunately all these qualities were available in the rep resentatives of Asia and Africa who led the great struggle. These dis tinguished delegates also demonstrated a wonderful degree of solidarity which has, happily, become an Afro-Asian tradition at the United Nations. The battle began even before the Organisation had itself become a fact. It would have been a more difficult struggle, had there been no provision in the Charter at all in respect of colonies, by whatever name called.

A history of China's involvement with the Afro-Asian People’s Solidarity Organization (AAPSO) from 1957 to 1967, including its objectives and activities.

A collection of writing on the historical alliances, cultural connections, and shared political strategies linking African Americans and Asian Americans.