UN. DEBATE ON RHODESIA

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30880, 13 October 1965, Page 19

UN. DEBATE ON RHODESIA

Vote Will Demand U.K. ‘Takes Steps’ LV Z.P..4 -Keuter —Copyright)

NEW YORK, October 12.

The General Assembly is due to approve today a resolution calling on Britain to “take all steps necessary” against the Rhodesian Government in the event of a unilateral declaration of independence.

After the resolution was adopted in the trusteeship committee yesterday by 95 votes to two with one abstention (France) and Britain “not participating,” African delegates pressed for it to be put to the assembly for approval as soon as possible. The resolution was voted on as Mr lan Smith, the Rhodesian Premier, flew back to Rhodesia after abortive talks in London with the British Government.

African delegates made it clear in the committee that they expected Britain to use force in the last resort to prevent Mr Smith from seizing power over the four million Africans of Rhodesia. African diplomats were also expected to step up moves to bring the problem to the Security Council. Mr Mohamed Sahnoun, the assistant secretary-general of the Organisation of African Unity, said that the council would have to be convened “urgently.” “LOGICAL STEP” Flying home from the eight days of talks in London, Mr Smith said at London Airport that the disagreement with Britain “seems so wide it is impossible to bridge."

He added: "Independence is what we want, and it is certainly the next logical step.” In Tanzania, an African leader warned yesterday that a declaration of independence would signal a blood terror campaign against Rhodesia’s whites. Mr James Chikerema, president of the African People's Union said: “An axe, spear and arrow can kill, and we will use anything that can kill.” DECISION SOON Mr Smith predicted that a final decision would not take long. "When I get back we'll make up our minds formally," he said at the airport. He added: “We have been waiting for something final from the British Government. We have never had it before, until now. Now we have it and we can finally make up our minds.” Rhodesia’s High Cominis-

sioner, Brigadier Andrew Skeen, told a Conservative meeting in London last night that talk of British force to block a breakaway was “too ludicrous." “No Briton would try it against us. We are not in the least bit worried about what the United Nations or anyone else could do to us," he said.

“RHODESIA REGENCY" If Britain should disown Rhodesia, Skeen said, the nation would remain loyal to the Queen and establish a regency to represent her. The Liberal Party leader, Mr Jo Grimond, addressing a meeting in the Orkney Islands, called Mr Smith "an extremist who has deliberately got himself into an impossible situation." He said a Rhodesian break would produce a problem "not experienced since the revolt of the American colonics."