Interview with Boubacar Diallo Telli
Ambassador Diallo Telli of Guinea is interviewed by members of the Foreign Press Association in the wake of Guniea's acceptance into the United Nations earlier that week.
Ambassador Boubacar Diallo Telli of Guinea is interviewed by members of the Foreign Press Association.
They discuss Telli's background. Jacques Adange, Joshua Justman, David Horowitz introduce themselves to interview him.
What is your purpose in the United States and with the United Nations?
Telli is translated from French in this and all other answers in this interview.
He tells us he is happy to discuss his young country. His mission is a goodwill mission.
Guinea was the only French colony to vote for independence. What did Telli make of this?
Telli tells us there were no cultural reasons. The reason they went for independence was an organizational one. They were the only territory that was prepared to, or able to, break from France. They filled the necessary conditions, other countries will.
What sort of configuration might Guinea have with Ghana and others?
Telli tells us there is no legal union between Guinea and Ghana and that Africa strives for unity, due to artificially created divisions, but Guinea will not give up its sovereignty to do so. Africans are hoping to coordinate activity but retain local rule.
How does Telli envision the relationship between Guinea and France going forward, especially in light of an article in the French constitution that allows for colonies to branch off to develop their own civilization?
Telli answers that the questioner had partly answered that question himself. He tells us that they agree to the part of the French constitution mentioned (article 88), but informs us that Guinea has am agreement that involves more sovereignty. Time will tell how things transpire.
What can Telli inform us about a recent conference of African nations in Accra, Ghana? What were the major ideas?
There is one basic idea with two objectives - independence and unity.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 150242
Municipal archives id: LT8307
