Reassurance from Smith

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33128, 19 January 1973, Page 9

Reassurance from Smith

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright)

SALISBURY, Jan. 18. The Rhodesian Prime Minister (Mr Smith) will address the nation tonight, to reassure Rhodesians that the security situation in the border areas is under control.

For four weeks hundreds of soldiers, policemen, and aircrews have been searching, without noticeable success, for an estimated 80 guerrillas in the northern districts of the country. Informed sources say that only four guerrillas have been killed, and not more than a dozen captured, but reports reaching Salisbury today say that the infiltrators are being aided by local tribesmen, and that about 130 Rhodesian Africans have been arrested on charges of carrying guerrilla arms and ammunition into Rhodesia from Portuguese Mozambique, and of failing to report the presence of guerrillas to the' authorities. They are expected to appear in court within a few weeks. In the meantime, the sources say they are now undergoing interrogation. The Rhodesian Government, however, has denied that the Africans are not cooperating fully with the security forces, and Mr Smith is likely to emphasise this in the address he will make at 5 a.m. on Friday (New Zealand time).

Political sources say that there was an initial hesitation on the part of tribesmen to give information to the security forces, but that this has now been overcome. The Rhodesians are blaming Zambia, and her attitude towards harbouring Rhodesian guerrillas, for the present situation, and Mr Smith is expected to emphasise also that a changed attitude on the part of President Kaunda’s Government could mean an early end to the guerrilla conflict.

He is also expected to comment on Rhodesia’s decision to close the border with Zambia but to exempt copper from the blockade—a concession which was immediately rejected by Zambia. President Kaunda declared that he would boycott the Rhodesian railway system that normally carries copper. Zambia’s largest export, if her imports could not also be carried through Rhodesia.

Opposition Right-wing politicians in Salisbury have criticised the Rhodesian copper concession as weakness, and have called on Mr Smith to cut off power supplies to

Zambia from the jointly-, owned Kariba hydro-electric' power project. Such a move would cut the] production of Zambia’s cop-; per mines.

Mr Smith is expected to reserve his position on future reprisals in case President Kaunda does not agree to change his attitude towards I guerrillas.