Reconsidering Split With U.K.

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30930, 10 December 1965, Page 17

Reconsidering Split With U.K.

CV.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, Dec. 9.

Some African nations have had sec* ond thoughts about the joint African decision last week-end to break off diplomatic relations with Britain if Mr lan Smith’s Rhodesian regime is not crushed by December 15.

There are also some misgivings about the major decision on the formation of an allAfrican military force to smash the regime. The decisions were taken by foreign ministers at an emergency conference of the Organisation of African Unity in Addis Ababa. Reliable informants in Lusaka said yesterday the President of Zambia (Mr Kaunda) planned to warn other African leaders about the difficulties involved in a diplomatic rupture with Britain. Zambia is one of the nine African countries which have been granted independence by Britain and which receive large amounts of British aid. The other eight Commonwealth countries are Gambia, Sferre Leone, Ghana, Nigeria. Uganda, Kenya. Tanzania, and Malawi. The Taiizanian President (Mr Nyere) is determined to continue with the ultimatum to Britain. His second VicePresident (Mr Kawawa) described the decision as “the beginning of the long march to Cape Town." The Tanzanian envoy in London, Mr Christopher Ngaiza, has been told to be ready to close down the High Commission office there next week if Britain has not ended the Rhodesian rebellion by December 15. Reliable sources in Cairo said yesterday the United Arab Republic appeared ready to support the major African

countries if they severed relations with Britain. In Leopoldville, General Joseph Mobutu, who assumed presidential powers in a bloodless coup three weeks ago, promised to help the organisation of an African army on condition the Congo’s own front against Congolese rebels remained quiet. President Philibert Tsiranana, of the Malagasy Republic, said yesterday his Government opposed the use of an African military force against Rhodesia. It was Britain’s responsibility to quell the Rhodesian rebellion, he said.

The Nigerian Foreign Minister (Senator Bamali) said on his return from Addis Ababa that he did not believe Nigeria’s trade with Britain would suffer if diplomatic ties were severed.