No More Bans, Heath Warns

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30941, 23 December 1965, Page 13

No More Bans, Heath Warns

(N.Z.. Press Association—Copyright >

LONDON, Dec. 22.

The Opposition Conservative Party joined the Government early today in approving an oil embargo against rebellious Rhodesia, but warned it would oppose any additional sanctions against the breakaway colony, United Press International reported.

The approval came in an after-midnight Parliamentary session after hours of noisy debate during which Right-wing Conservatives warned the measure would likely “cause chaos and bloodshed in Africa.”

The Conservative Party leadership urged support of the measure and it passed by 276 to 48. The Conservative Party leader, Mr Edward Heath, warned that any further sanctions would bring stiff opposition. “The limit of economic measures to be taken by this country and by a number of other major powers has now been reached,” he said. Vote Forced Mr Heath and other party leaders urged approval without a vote, but Right-wing elements of the party forced a vote and debate and chided the Government for punishing Rhodesians who had no control over the decision to declare independence unilaterally. A Conservative member, Mr Robert Turton, said the embargo would be ineffective unless South Africa and Portugal supported it and warned: “This is likely to cause chaos and bloodshed in Africa.”

Forty Conservatives voted against the embargo and at least 30 voted with the Government.

The United States State Department has announced that America will charter civil transport planes to help Britain’s airlift of oil into Zambia. Zambia’s oil supply was cut off by the Rhodesian Government after Britain’s oil embargo against Rhodesia. A Royal Canadian Air Force advance party will leave Ottawa today to organise Canadian participation in the airlift with the aid of four transport planes. Zambian Missions

Top-level Zambian missions due in Washington and Moscow today will seek support for United Nations action to topple the Rhodesian breakaway regime. The missions will arrive

from London where they had talks with the British Government.

The Foreign Minister, Mr Simon Kapwepwe, leading the mission to the United States, said he would hold talks with United Nations Secretary, U Thant, and President Johnson. “Zambia will call on the United Nations for mandatory sanctions and the use of United Nations forces to deal with the situation.” he said in London last night. In Moscow, the Finance Minister, Mr Arthur Wina and Agriculture Minister, Mr Elijah Mudenda, will confer with Soviet Foreign Minister, Mr Andrei Gromyko, on all aspects of Rhodesia.