HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1972-11-02, Page 17e Cana
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'THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 2, 19 2
•
Due to the dictates. of Dgandq's military ruler Idi Amin, and
an open door policy of the Cana ian department of Immigration
and' Canada 1VIanpower two Asian refugees from `that• African
country are pow attempting to start a newlife in Goderich. '•
Mike Sequeira, an experienced journalist and free lance writer,
with mechanical engineer Jawahar Chatwani haver been sent to
this community by Manpower and Immigration i.n search of em-
ploynient. Mr. Sequeira just completing arrangements for a
position on the Hanover Post but Mr. Chatwani is still looking
for employment, a job. '
Approximately 3,000 Asian Ugandan refugees, who were ex-
pelled from their home couptry about a month ago, have arrived
in Canada to date according to the local office of Canada Man-
power. Up to 7;000 may arrive before all the displaced Asians
find new homes. Two flights a day are presently arriving in
Canada.
In August Idi Amin, President of Uganda by virtue' of a
military coup last year, announced the expulsion of all Asians
liyjn irt,-Uganda -1 :yea Asiana: holding.J,lga,nda t-citiievshi)p•were--
ordered
eere---ordered to leave the country.
In an attempt to aid these displaced persons Britain opened its
doors to many and Canada (as well as several other countries)
followed suit shortly afterward.
"The first Canadian plane to arrive in Uganda was denied lan-
ding rights in the country as it made its final approach to Kam-
pala.airport and had to pull off and make for Nairobi Kenya,"
Mike Sequeira explained. Eventually permission to pick up
refugees was granted and the Canadian Immigration department
began processing those interested in moving to Canada.
• Nearly all property and Most personal possessions were or-
dered left in the country by the. Ugandan government who
promised 'to take care of its disposal to black African buyers.
"I am almost certain those of us who had to leave .property
and other goods in Uganda will never see the money for them,"
, q-. n nf.tur-
Mr.'Se ueira noted. I doubt that Amin has an�,�t4exrti�
ning the money from their sale over to the rightful owners. Per-
sonally I have only about $1,000 in Uganda but many Asians
there will loose a great deal more."
Mike Sequeira, sitting, and Jawahar .Chatwani, Ugandan Asians exiled from their home coun-
try, are now attempting to make a new life for themselves in Canada and Goderich. Mike is a
journalist and freelance writer while Jawahar is a mechanical engineer. (staff photo)
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Ugandan President Idi Amin, seen sitting centre during anniversary celebrations ofthe
military coup which brought'him to power in,I971, is head Of state for the African country and.
was responsible for the expulsion of Mike Sequeira and Jawahar Chatwani as well as other
Asian Ugandans. The other military photos.on this page were taken by Mr. Sequeira, a jour-
/
nalist, before he left Uganda. (staff photo)
wr
As a journalist Mr.Sequeira describes all the media within the
country as being "Entirely under state control. Government -
departments issue releases to us and that is what must be used in
ne.wspapers or for broadcast.'We can no`t go out and research our
own story there as a reporter can in • Canada," he explained.
When the President makes a'speech or policy statement it must
be quoted directly and in full. President Amin lacks diplomacy
and tact as is shown by a speech made over national broad-
casting in Uganda by Amin on At*ust 22.
The remarks were made by Amin in reply to Tanzanian head
of state Mwalimu Nyerere who condemned Amin regarding his
move to expel Asian citizens of Uganda. Amin attacked Nyerere
but wound up his remarks on a soften note when he noted (taken
directly from the radio newsck0 script of the day smuggled out of
Uganda) "With these few words`•i want to assure you that I love
you very much and if you had been a woman, I would have con-
sidered marrying you although your head is full of grey hair, but
as you are a man that possibility does' not arise," ,
Uganda, like Kenya, had been a British protectorate until 1962
when it became an independent nation. In 1963 it chose to
become a republic -and did so. Elections were to have been held
in 1967 but never were, on the pretext of subversion marital law
was enforced. In 1971. Amin officially came to ;power ,when a
militar' coup completely replaced the government.
"There is opposition to the Amin regime," Mr. Sequeira feels,"
"especially among the educated and professional people. In.
many cases politics 'does not touch the hush areas but overall
Amin is not very popular."
Mr. Sequeira feels that government move to expel' Asians 'has,
further added to, this feeling even in the black Africans. "An
example of this would be to see the actual figures of the Africans
leaving or running into the bush, not the numbers of Asians
kicked out." •
"I had a very close black African friend where I worked," the
journalist relates. "The day I left I went to say good hye and he
was very upset. The feeling of the Africans is summed up in what
he told me. "Be thankful you are not the right color, tomorrow I
may not be the right tribe."
According to the Asian refugee many of Uganda's problems
stem back, as they dc; in many African countries, to old tribal
conflicts. This drives a further wedge in young countries.
When Mr. Sequeira talks about Canada it is glowing terms
that border on near disbelief.
"When we left Uganda the soldiers at the airport were armed
with machine guns and carrying live ammunition. A soldier (even
a private) in•, Uganda can shoot anyone on grounds of even
suspicion and have his actions' upheld by the authorities."
"The minute the plane left the, ground it was a new world," he
explains. "The crews were so kind and courteous. We are just not
used to that. Living under conditions like those in Uganda can
destroy your dignity and self respect."
"When we landed in Montreal and were told we'd be staying
in army barracks I'm sure many nearly panicked, I know I was
afraid," he notes. "In Uganda no one even goes •near an army
barrack, but in Canada to see Soldiers giving out free food and
hot coffee, and even carrying little babies, is unbelievable."
"I was in Toronto last weekend and the Asians getting off the
train there were veru uneasy. I could only tell them to relax, their
troubles are over, but there wasn't a smile."
Most of all Mike sees Canada and Canadians as being very
friendly and helpful.
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