Rhodesia Crisis MISSION MAY HAVE FAILED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31177, 29 September 1966, Page 13

Rhodesia Crisis MISSION MAY HAVE FAILED

fN.Z. Press Association—Copyright/

SALISBURY (Rhodesia), Sept.2B. The high-level British Ministerial mission designed to end the 10-month-old Rhodesian crisis drew to a close tonight and looked to observers as though it was a failure, according to United Press International.

Observers said that, in spite of earlier optimism, no settlement of the independence quarrel seemed imminent

The Commonwealth Secretary, Mr Herbert Bowden, and the Attorney-General, Sir Elwyn Jones, accompanied by 17 officials, were scheduled to leave for London today after a 10-day visit in which they had three separate meetings with the Rhodesian Prime Minister, Mr lan Smith. First Contact

The meetings were Mr Smith’s first contact with a British Minister since he unilaterally declared Rhodesia independence on November 11 last year. The Rhodesian -Premier said yesterday he did not think he would see the British party again before it left.

Both sides refused to give details of the talks, but it seemed that no headway was made on the fundamental issues involved the role of Rhod e s i a’s overwhelming black population in the political future.

Mr Smith, reinforced by ringing Rhodesian Front

Erhard Goes Home—Chancellor Ludwig Erhard of West Germany left for home today after agreeing with President Johnson on a far-reach-ing review of the Atlantic defence posture which could well lead to a withdrawal of American troops from West Germany.—Washington, Sept. 28.

Party support during Mr Bowden’s visit, stands fast by his declaration of independence under uncompromising white rule. Britain, reinforced by Commonwealth and Afro-Asia demands, stands fast by its view that any independence settlement should guarantee eventual black rule.