Rhodesia and U.K. may talk

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32565, 26 March 1971, Page 9

Rhodesia and U.K. may talk

(By LOUIS HEREN. of "The Times" through NJZ.P.A.)

LONDON, March 25. The Rhodesian Prime Minister (Mr lan Smith) has indicated to the British Government his willingness to amend the Rhodesian Constitution in accordance with five principles.

Talks are expected to begin before the summer. The visit to London of Sir Arthur Snelling, the British Ambassador to South Africa, is no doubt connected with this new development. He initiated exploratory talks with Rhodesian representatives last year. He was required to find out whether a realistic basis existed for an agreement in accordance with the five principles established by Mr Wilson and subsequently accepted by Mr Heath.

They are—--I—Unimpeded progress towards majority rule already enshrined in the (legal) 1961 Constitution.

to be maintained and guaranteed, a 2 Guarantees against retrogressive amendment of the Constitution. 3 An immediate improvement in the political status of the Africans. 4 Progress towards ending racial discrimination. 5 Any basis proposed for independence must be acceptable to the people of Rhodesia as a whole. The exploratory talks have concentrated on the first prin-. ciple. The 1969 (illegal) Constitution envisages parity of representation between whites and Africans at some future and undetermined date, and the Rhodesians have been pressed to accept the principle of majority rule under similar conditions. Chances small The Rhodesians have apparently agreed to consider the necessary constitutional amendment, but the chances of agreement are obviously small.

Nevertheless the Foreign Secretary (Sir Alec DouglasHome), said in Parliament in November: “However long the odds against settlement I do not believe that any new Government can simply let the matter lie the way it is without attempting to see whether settlement is possible. “The consequences of rupture, final rupture, are so serious to Rhodesia—both Europeans and Africans—and to the future of Southern Africa as a whole, that one more try should be made, although the chances of success are remote.”

The Rhodesians have also been reminded that Britain cannot alone lift mandatory sanctions. This can be done only by the United Nations Security Council. If Salisbury wants sanctions removed it must therefore agree to constitutional amendments acceptable to a larger body of opinion than the present British Government This would appear to make an agreement even more improbable.