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7/25/1964 - Arusha by Ian Michael Wright

NOT FOR PUBLICATION INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS P O Box Arushs Tanganyika July Mr Richard H Nolte Institute Current World Affairs Madison Avenue New York N Y Dear Mr Nolte Arusha exactly midway between Cape Cairo geographic center East Africa It delightful inhabitants divided among Africans Asians O00 Europeans In East Africa temperature depends altitude Arusha pleasant despite miles equator It however January Feb ruary becomes downright June July For climate ideal rainy seasons April May November December affect although roads often become quagmires surrounding countryside especially attractive The Ia volcanic Mount Meru towers I0 volcanic ensures fertil which Arusha agricultural economy depends Along Moshi District miles Tanganyika agriculturally progressive territory Coffee excellent quality sisal beans wheat sugar papain extract which tenderize important There number African subsistence crops bananas In contrast Tanganyika impressed obvious fertility sulting large healthy population Even final years century first Europeans visit region Count Samuel Teleki equally impressed It reason fought generations Arusha meeting ground three tribes pastoral Town center IMW Masai agricultural cousins WaArusha WaMeru The healthy climate fertility north reflected Besides having highest proportion paved roads country European settle Settlers began farming around Mount Meru Kilimanjaro after century Although there little continuity ownership world instance dispossessed Germans these farms sought after Tanganyika Unlike Kenya number different nationalities Greeks Englishmen alongside Americans Poles Within administration Arusha sidered nicest place posted result flight senior civil servants spent considerable there But perhaps important tourist potential Arusha already center tourist Tanganyika hotewill shortly unable handle large influx expected during seasons Thus New Arusha Hotel expanded Government plans invest Safari Hotel temporarily closed guests neither recognized stood President Sekou Toure Guinea State visit Furthermore there rumors Hilton chain build luxury hotel center Although number tourists slumped after closure Safari Hotel again rising rapidly Arusha ideally tourist potential cannot matched elsewhere East Africa Most people visit Africa either animals observe primitive tribal Arusha three Ngurdoto Crater Momella National Park Lake Manyara Ngorongoro Amboseli Tsavo Serengeti within drive For those preferring primitive peoples East Africa famous tribe Masai right The thing A rusha sizable agricultural industry There small industries nearby meerschaum factory makes excellent pipes large factory onsidered factory IMW decided against investment moment report financial reasons The greatest Arusha future creation East African federation might capital Arusha candidate right heart proposed federation miles Nairobi miles Mombasa miles Dar Salaam The recent Working Party federation conclusion regarding important problem Arusha tender because would avoid politically unpleasant putting capital Nairobi suggestion viewed considerable suspicion Tan ganyika Uganda The Town Clerk Epharim Andere Kenya Arusha neutral Neit Nairobi Kenya Dar Salaam miles influence At however Arusha considered Nairobi Tanganyika because large settler element Where Arusha disadvantage other cities Entebbe existing level public services One student suggested million years would needed roads especially stretch Nairobi build international airport between Moshi Arusha already chosen improve enlarge schooling facilities telephone exchanges hotel accommodation In short Arusha right place climate would extremely pleasant capital Whether East African federation another matter Regardless which federation Arusha seems destined considerable further development The Town Council alert Town Clerk planned years purchased estate south center With magnificent views Kilimanjaro Meru would ideal further housing institutional velopment At point hoped University College Dar Salaam might choose Arusha instead The climate least conducive Furthermore federal capital Arusha would greatly stimulate industrial development At IMW railway leading directly Tanga Mombasa coast transportation costs could minimum portant recent agreement Uganda guaranteed Tanganyika monopoly development certain dustries East Africa effort redress imbalance trade between three territories Because geographical position Arusha would likely siting indus tries With combination advantages Arusha become impor center East Africa develops sincerely yours Ian Michael Wright The photograph courtesy Tanganyika Infor mation Services The etchings pages three courtesy Longmans Green The drawing courtesy Miss Ruth Yudelowitz Received In New York August