Sir: Surely the difference in our attitude towards South Africa
and Burundi, is that we know very much more about the former. We may have been in South Africa ourselves or we have friends there or recently come from there, perhaps on both sides and of both colours, or, even more painfully, in the middle. We also under- stand that, as whites, we are involved; perhaps over several generations our fore- bears or ourselves made or acquiesced in political and economic situations which have resulted in the present painful state.
It is of course much harder to know what is really happening in Burundi or for that matter several other African countries which have few links with Europe. News comes back slowly; we cannot see where the ultimate blame lies or what material help is possible. Even Oxfam may find it difficult to get hard information. A lot of nasty things are happening in many parts of the world, including just under our noses, some because of natural disasters, some through political or religious oppression. People of good will have to act usefully when they can, even if they are criticised or laughed at for going too far. We may not like, or totally agree with, the methods that some people choose; but they may know best.
Naomi Mitchison
Garden Flat, 115 Blenheim Crescent, London W11
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