PRESSURE ON U.K. FROM AFRICANS

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30937, 18 December 1965, Page 15

PRESSURE ON U.K. FROM AFRICANS

Seven Nations Break Off Relations (N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, December 17. Britain faced fresh political pressures from the African States today over her failure to crush Mr lan Smith’s regime in Rhodesia. Seven nations have now broken off diplomatic relations with Britain: The United Arab Republic, Ghana, Tanzania, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania and the Congo (Brazzaville).-

Ghana also said she was considering withdrawing from the Commonwealth. President Nkrumah said sanctions alone were inadequate against Rhodesia and they should be backed hy military intervention. He accused the British Prime Minister, Mr Wilson, of going to the utmost lengths to make concessions

to Mr Smith’s regime, disregarding the feelings of African people. At the United Nations, about two-thirds of the 36 African delegates boycotted Mr Wilson's speech to the General Assembly. The African moves follow the recent call by the Organisation of African Unity for members to break with Britain if she failed to unseat the Rhodesian regime by December 15. Wilson’s Appeal Mr Wilson’s appeal for patience in bis handling of Rhodesia fell on many empty chairs in the General Assembly. Only nine of the 36 African countries stayed to hear him. Those whose delegations stayed were Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Malawi, Toko, Upper Volta, Gabon, Central African Republic, Dahomey and Liberia. Action ‘Regretted’ Several delegations outside the African group were absent, among them Cambodia, Cuba and Syria. The address was essentially an assessment of problems be-

fore the United Nations and the world, with the customary emphasis on the need for disarmament and then a detailed setting out of the Rhodesian issue

Britain today said it "regretted” the action of the Commonwealth members who have broken of relations with her over Rhodesia. British Government reaction to the rupture by the two Commonwealth countries was given in a Commonwealth Office statement which said: “While we understand the passionate feelings of the African Governments on Rhodesia, we regret any break in relations. ‘Not Understood’ “We do not understand the motives of the decision to break with Britain. “Such action cannot be helpful in our efforts to find a solution to the Rhodesian problem." Britain had the same objective as the African States—restoration of constitutional government in Rhodesia and the resumption of progress towards majority rule. “It is only over timing and methods that there is any < difference between us,” said the statement.