Rhodesia worries churches

Press, 26 April 1979, Page 18

Rhodesia worries churches

PA Wellington The “wave of favourable” publicity being given to elections in Rhodesia is causing concern to the Churches’ Commission on Human Rights. In a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr Talboys), the commission’s chairman (the Rev. John Murray) has said his organisation is concerned about the political changes about to take place.

“It seems clear to us from reported details, that although there appears to be a breakthrough for black majority rule, much of the real power, and indeed an unequal proportion of it, remains in the hands of the ■white population, in fact in the hands of Mr Smith’s ilegal regime,” Mr Murray said.

He called on Mr Taiboys to release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assessment of the draft constitution, and to comment on the criticism of the draft constitution by the Commonwealth Secretariat. He also asked Mr Taiboys to say the Government would recognise new Rhodesian government. Mr Taiboys, who left last evening for Japan, South Korea, and China, was not available for comment. But it is believed that Foreign Affairs officials are closely watching Rhodesian developments to brief the Government on the implications.