RHODESIA MAY HELP

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31144, 22 August 1966, Page 13

RHODESIA MAY HELP

(N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright) LONDON, August 21. Rhodesia’s rebel Prime Minister, Mr lan Smith, is expected to offer to send Rhodesian troops to fight in Vietnam, according to the “Sunday Express.” At least two of Mr Smith’s senior ministers, backed by powerful sections of his Rhodesia Front Party, want this made known to President Johnson before the next Commonwealth Prime Ministers' meeting, said the newspaper.

The meeting starts in London in 16 days’ time. Once before—in February last—Mr Smith put out feelers to test Washington’s reaction to such an offer. But they were indirect and informal feelers and there was no public response from Mr Johnson.

The new approach woulo be direct and open the “Sunday Express” said. Mr Smith’s advisers argue that the timing they propose would have two big advantages:

It would touch off a wave of pro-Rhodesian sympathy in the United States just as African Commonwealth countries launched their anti-Smith show-down in London. it would make a strong and valuable impact on Australia and New Zealand.

Rhodesian circles believe President Johnson is still annoyed over Mr Wilson’s public condemnation of the United States bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong, the newspaper said.

He might, therefore, they argue, be readier now than in February to give the offer of Rhodesian troops a receptive hearing. Mr Johnson would realise that accepting the offer would

come close to giving recognition to the Smith regime. The President also has his own large Negro population to consider. If he were to become allied with a white Rhodesia, the entire civil rights struggle could rise to a hotter temperature.

Official sources in Washington indicated America would not want to do anything that would encourage the Smith regime the “Sunday Express” said.

But the fact remains that an offer from Salisbury at this point would make its impact on millions of Americans angered by the “foot dragging” of Britain and other allies.