U.K. Officials To Leave Rhodesia

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31018, 25 March 1966, Page 13

U.K. Officials To Leave Rhodesia

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter —CopyriohO

SALISBURY, March 24. The Rhodesian Government yesterday announced that the head of the British residual mission in Salisbury, Mr Stanley Fingland, is being withdrawn and will leave Rhodesia shortly.

The announcement was made by the Minister of External Affairs, Lord Graham.

It followed unconfirmed reports that Mr Fingland and another senior member of the British mission had been asked to leave the country by the Smith Government. Mr Fingland was the former Deputy British High Commissioner until the Smith regime seized independence last November.

After U.D.I. the British Government withdrew most of its High Commission staff in Salisbury, but Mr Fingland was left behind to head a small consular staff. Britain and Rhodesia have a reciprocal agreement giving their representatives diplomatic status and privilegesLast night Mr Fingland confirmed that the First Secretary (Political) in the British mission, Mr Neville French, was being posted back to London.

But he refused to comment on reports that the Rhodesian Government had asked Mr French and he to leave the country.

An announcement on the departure of Mr French would be issued within the next few days, Lord Graham said.

It is reliably understood in Salisbury, however, that Mr French would be leaving Salisbury for London today.