Passport refused

Press, 26 February 1983, Page 9

Passport refused

NZPA-Reuter Harare The White opposition leader. lan Smith, said yesterday that the Zimbabwean Government had turned down his request to have his passport back so he could go to South Africa for medical treatment. His passport was confiscated in December after allegations that he had denounced Zimbabwe during visits to the United States and Britain. Mr Smith, leader of the Republican Front Party, was Prime Minister of Rhodesia before it became independent Zimbabwe in 1980. He said that the Minister of Home Affairs. Mr Herbert Ushewokunze. had written a letter telling him to approach Rhodesian authorities for a Rhodesian passport since he had said abroad that he recognised Rhodesia and not Zimbabwe. Mr Ushewokunze was quoted as saying in the letter addressed to Mr Smith's secretary: “As I am a Minister in charge of Immigration in Zimbabwe. I cannot possibly give him documents relating to Rhodesia. “If his Rhodesia only exists in his mind. I still cannot help him. He should look elsewhere, possibly to Britain, for a travel document." Mr Smith, who is 63. said that he had intended to go to South Africa this month for treatment of‘a medical problem connected with his collapsing in Parliament last year. He denied ever saying that he recognised Rhodesia and said he had written back to Mr Ushewokunze asking for his passport and for evidence of his alleged statement about Rhodesia.