Negotiated Settlement On Rhodesia “Essential"

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31116, 20 July 1966, Page 8

Negotiated Settlement On Rhodesia “Essential"

CIV.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON, July 17. It was essential for a negotiated settlement to be arrived at on Rhodesia while the opportunity still existed, Mr Duncan Sandys, the former Conservative Foreign Secretary, said today. Mr Sandys was speaking to reporters on his return from a one-week fact-finding visit to the rebel colony, which seized independence last November. He said he had spoken to about 40 people in key positions in Rhodesia, including the Premier, Mr lan Smith, and Sir Humphrey Gibbs, the British-appointed Governor whom the Rhodesians refuse to recognise. Of the sanctions imposed by Britain and other nations, Mr Sandys said all appeared to be going well, but those who were in a position to look ahead had deep anxiety about the future. “There is no doubt that the economy is starting to run down, and will run down still further in the months ahead,” Mr Sandys said.

“But while this will hurt the Rhodesian people I think it is most unlikely that they will be in a mood to haul up the white flag—or, shall we say, to accept unconditional surrender, for a long time.

“It is therefore essential that a negotiated settlement should be arrived at while the opportunity still exists.”