From the pages of Gulf News dated August 30 to September 5, 1979

August 30

Uganda goes democratic

Uganda is to scrap its 1967 one-party constitution, which gave the President dictatorial powers, a Ugandan National Liberation Front official said. Ugandan President Godfrey Binaisa has appointed a commission to draw up a new democratic constitution before elections are held in June 1981.

September 2

President honoured

The Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has awarded the medal of honour of the 1st September revolution to His Highness Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE President at a special function held at the Peoples Palace in honour of Arab kings and heads of state participating in the Libyan celebrations.

Non-national students to have a place in UAE university

The Emirates University has reserved a number of seats for non-national students who are residing in the country and have obtained at least a percentage of 75 in the science section or a percentage of 65 in the Arts section, provided they have passed the UAE General Secondary School Certificate.

September 3

Zimbabwe hoists new flag

Zimbabwe raised a new flag in a symbolic affirmation of black power. Some 20,000 people cheered as the multi-coloured banner bearing the emblem of a golden bird was hoisted at a football stadium ceremony in the black township of Harare.

Pakistan first junior champs

Pakistan beat West Germany 2-0 here to win the first Junior World Hockey Cup. The Pakistani side, which dominated the tournament up to the final, snapped into action to score after only two minutes, with Jan Mohammad flicking the ball into the net.

September 4

Mauger six times world champion

Ivan Mauger of New Zealand wrote his name into the history books by winning the World Individual Speedway Championship for a record sixth time at the age of 40.

September 5

'Founding Father' of Opec dies at 75

Juan Pablo Perez Alfonzo, the man widely regarded as the founder of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) died. Perez Alfonso, the former Oil Minister of Venezuela, died at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington.

Tribal insurgents cut Kabul-Soviet link

Afghanistan's tribal insurgents have cut the main highway from Kabul to the Soviet border at the strategic Salang Pass. They destroyed a heavily guarded bridge on the road which is a major supply route for Soviet arms and equipment to the Kabul Government.