Rhodesian elections

Press, 9 May 1979, Page 22

Rhodesian elections

Sir, —- M. McNabb’s letter on the Rhodesian constitution (May 5) is informative, but does not alter the fact that considerable progress has been made towards genuinely democratic rule. Joshua Nkomo, a leader of the minority Matabele tribe, has openly stated that the aim of the guerrillas is to make ZimbabweRhodesia a one-party Marxust state. If he is allowed to succeed, then the progress that has been made towards genuine democracy will be sabotaged. In precolonial days, the majority Shona people were enslaved and mistreated by the more aggressive Matabeles. If, with the aid of the weapons the Russians are supplying to him, Nkomo has his way, the same will happen again. The correspondents who support sanctions because they pretend to be against racism or “injustice” are really arguing for the mass murder of the majority Shonas. — Yours, etc., MARK D. SADLER. May 6, 1979. Sir. — On reading Mr McNabb’s letter (May 5) it is obvious that he spent some time analysing the setup in Rhodesia. However, before we go overboard about the inequity of the situation I wonder if he would only spend five minutes on pondering over the situation in the socialist countries. Five per cent of the population belongs to the ruling party which controls 100 per cent of the government. Only trusted and proven Uncle Toms are admitted to the ruling bodies and if someone does not like the set-up a friendly K.G.B. officer will knock on the door any time. Of course we have injustices in every country, but in Rhodesia if you do not like the heat you can just up and go. In socialist countries you cannot go even to the next town without passports, permits and clearances. — Yours, etc., C. E. FIELD. May 5, 1979.