N.Z. happy with Rhodesia plan

Press, 30 August 1977, Page 17

N.Z. happy with Rhodesia plan

PA Invercargill New Zealand has been advised of the Anglo-American plan which would eliminate the leadership of the Rhodesian Prime Minister (Mr lan Smith) and bring in a huge United Nations peacekeeping force, according to the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr Taiboys). However, there had been no specific request to New Zealand to contribute to the peace-keeping force, he said. Mr Taiboys said the Government had been given an outline of a plan which would not become effective until it was accepted by all parties, including Mr Smith. The plan, as developed by the United States and Britain, would eliminate Mr Smith’s leadership role by taking apart his Government and disbanding both

nationalist military forces and the white-led Rhodesian Army. "What we have is an outline .of a plan,” Mr Taiboys said. “There has been no acceptance of it yet.” If the plan was accepted, and a request was made for New Zealand to fulfil a peace-keeping force, then “quite obviously” the Government would consider it, Mr Taiboys said. The Government hoped the plan would be accepted. “Undoubtedly, if some such move is not made, military activity will escalate,” he said. The Government was also advised several months ago of a British proposal involving Commonwealth allies contributing units to a possible peace-keeping force. However, that plan had not been accepted by the parties in Southern Africa.