U.K. Not Intervening In U.N. Moves On Rhodesia

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30152, 8 June 1963, Page 11

U.K. Not Intervening In U.N. Moves On Rhodesia

(N Z .P. A . - Reuter— Copyng nt)

NEW YORK. June 7 The British Government has refused to intervene in the United Nations attempt to protect the political rights of the natives of Southern Rhodesia, it was

learned yesterday. In an exchange of letters between the SecretaryGeneral (U Thant) and the British representative (Sir Patrick Dean) published by the United Nations, the Secretary-General said that he considered that he should take “further steps” to implement the resolution on Southern Rhodesia passed by last year’s General Assembly The resolution. No. 1760, called for suspension of the Southern Rhcdesian Constitution. and the calling of new elections. U Thant asked for Britain's views on the implementation of the resolution.

In his reply, Sir Patrick Dean maintained the official British position that Britain has no power to intervene constitutionally be-

cause Southern Rhodesia is self-governing. “My Government believes that you will understand the difficulties which lie in the way of their contemplating compliance ‘with resolution 1780,” Sir Patrick Dean said He said he believed that Britain's position had been made clear during meetings between the United Nations Special Committee on Colonialism and the British Government in London last April On Wednesday night, the Southern Rhodesian Prime Minister <Mr Winston Field) left London for home without the firm British assurances be sought on independence for the colony.

Instead he took back a set of suggestions from Britain’s Minister of Centra] African Affairs (Mr R. A. Butler). They deal with more votes for Africans and other unspecified issues for consideration by Mr Field's Cabinet in Salisbury Mr Field told a press conference he would not take unilateral action to declare the colony independent "under present conditions.”