'Summit' likely in Rhodesia

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33730, 31 December 1974, Page 9

'Summit' likely in Rhodesia

CV 7. P .4 -Renter—Copyright I LUSAKA, December 30. The British Foreign Secretary (Mr James Callaghan) will leave London for Lusaka today amid reports that he will have talks with Rhodesian nationalist leaders during his visit.

Sources close. Io the nationalists said yesterday that Mr Callaghan was expected to meet all four Rhodesian nationalist leaders this week.

The nationalists might even arrive in Zambia today for consultations with their colleagues based in Lusaka before their meeting with the Foreign Secretary, who will arrive tomorrow.

The British Foreign Office has said it does not exclude, the possibility of Mr Callagj han meeting with the nat-1 [ionalists, but that no ar-1 i rangements have yet been 1 (made. ‘Speculation' I The British 1 igh Commis-l Ision in Lusaka has described' ! the reports as “pure specula-; tion,” and there has so far! |been no confirmation of the j meeting from the nationalists. Mr Callaghan’s visit, his ; first stop on a six-nation | [African tour, comes after an) [intensive diplomatic effort [led by Zambia aimed at soiI ving Rhodesia’s Con- i , stitituional dispute with - (Britain, which has' lasted, nine years. Other countries on the iti-; (nerarv include Botswana and Tanzania, which also played lan active part in the latest. all-African. attempt to reach la settlement in Rhodesia. Unitv I Moderates might ask Britlain to begin playing an active role, but extremists; would probably want the: British to remain on the [sidelines.

The nationalists expected Ito see Mr Callaghan are Mr I Joshua Nkomo. former president of the Zimbabwe (African Peoples Union (Z.A.P.U.), the Rev. Ndabaningi Sithole, former head of the rival Zimbabwe African National Union (Z.A.N.U.i Mr James Chikerema, former leader of the Front for the Liberation of Zimbabwe (Frolizi), and Bishop Abel Muzorewa. president of the African National Council (A.N.C.). Z.A.P.U.. Z.A.N.U and | Frolizi all officially dissolved themselves and (merged with the A.N.C. RhoIdesia’s only legal African , political grouping, earlier this month.