Wide gap over power carve-up

Press, 22 February 1978, Page 8

Wide gap over power carve-up

NZPA-Reuter Salisbury A wide gap lias opened between black, nationalists and the Rhodesian Prime Minister (Mr lan Smith) over the division of power in an administration designed to lead RhodejSians to black rule, sources Close to the settlement - conference have reported. Black leaders roundly rejected Mr. Smith’s proposals that whites and blacks should be equally represented and questioned Mr Smith’s sincerity about handing power to the majority. Mr Smith protested that he was sincere but said that his white electorate must be cushioned against too abrupt a change, the sources said.

The nationalists — Bishop Abel Muzorewa’s (United African National Council, the Rev. Ndabaningi Sithole’s African National Council, and Chief Jeremiah Chirau’s Zimbabwe United Peoples’ Organisation — have taken a common stand on the issue, the sources reported. They want 75 per cent black representation in both the top-level council of State and the second-level council of Ministers. Negotiations will continue today. The nationalists have demanded a council of State made up of the four party leaders, with an independent chairman, possibly from outside Rhodesia, chosen by the four.

Mr Smith has put forward a council of State comprising the .three nationalist heads and three white members, with himself as chairman, the sources said.

The nationalists plan a council of Ministers made up of between four'and six people from each party. Mr

Smith wants equal numbers of blacks and whites. The blacks also want the present white-dominated Parliament to be suspended until the majority-rule Parliament takes office. It would be summoned, only to enact legislation agreed upon by the interim administration. Mr Smith said that he would go along with that, the sources said. The Salisbury conference has already made two large strides in agreeing on the broad principles of a constitution and that black nationalist guerrillas can join the security forces of the new Zimbabwe. But the delegations must agree on the shape .of the transitional administration before Rhodesia can be put firmly on the road to blackmajority rule after almost 100 years of white supremacy. In London, Mr Sithole has said that he has failed to win fuller British support for the Rhodesian settlement agreement. After more than two hours of talks with the Foreign Secretary (Dr David Owen), Mr Sithole complained that Britain was still inclined ' towards the guerrilla leaders of the Patriotic Front. Rhodesian and Mozambican forces exchanged heavy fire over the border on Monday, army headquarters inSalisbury has reported. A communique said a Mozambican artillery barrage from Espungabera had been "neutralised” after more than hours of gunfire. The military said the Mozambique gunfire was aimed at Rhodesian troops on routine fence construction (work. It was unprovoked. I the communique added.