‘Observer’ row patched up

Press, 30 April 1984, Page 10

‘Observer’ row patched up

NZPA-Reuter London The editor and the owner of the “Observer” newspaper yesterday patched up a public quarrel over coverage of Zimbabwe, removing a threat that the British weekly would be sold or even closed. An exchange of letters made public yesterday showed that the editor, Donald Trelford, had offered to resign, but the proprietor, Roland “Tiny” Rowland, head of the Lonrho trading had the offer and pledged increased )

support for the paper. The row erupted two weeks ago when Mr Rowland publicly apologised to the Zimbabwean Prime Minister, Mr Robert Mugabe, over a report written by Mr Trelford alleging Army atrocities in Matabeleland. Mr Rowland, who has business interests in Zimbabwe, said the report was unsubstantiated, while Mr Trelford stood by it. The row escalated and Mr Rowland threatened to sell or close the paper. He enterered talks on a pos-

sible sale with the printing tycoon, Robert Maxwell, but Mr Maxwell said yesterday the negotiations were over. Mr Trelford said in a statement: “We were able to reach agreement despite the harsh words of the past two weeks because we share three basic affections: for the ‘Observer,’ for Africa and for each other.” The letters showed he had offered to resign because it was “the only honourable course” in the light of their muting hostility. “I accept that you acted as you did, not out of a

crude concern for your commercial interests, as I originally suggested, but out of a genuine personal conviction that the truth about Zimbabwe is more complex than I presented it,” Mr Trelford wrote. He had written “the truth as I saw it,” he said. In reply, Mr Rowland said the offer of resignation was “an absolute demonstration of your integrity and care for the paper.” He pledged to increase his support for the until it was “number o& in the field.”