BISHOP Muzorewa's effusive weicome for te rory victory In the House of Commons was a reminder of something that was already obvious Zimbabwe would be an issue in Muzorewa is a minister in the "internal settlement' ment of lan Smith, which will itself be contesting elections — if the meaning of the word can be stretched that far - on or around 20 April. This statement is a predictable demonstration of where white racist sympathies will be in the British general election.
Even before the vote of confidence Muzorewa written to Shadow Foreign Secretary Francis Pym inviting him to monitor the 20 April 2U8L Mew your personal interest and that your Party in solving protracted problems which have faced this country over the past 14 years.' Despite attaching 'enormous importance to this election and I wish I could accept your invitation', Pym had to refuse.
'However, as you will know, Mrs Thatcher will soon be Socialist Challenge 5 April 1979 page 12 appointing a team of observers to represent the Conservative Party and I am confident that they will be able to form a balanced judgement on the that Traditionally Tory governments have given unequivocal backing to -une regime. On the face of it Pym's reply to Muzorewa is in the same spirit. but there for thinking official Tory support for Smith is less whole-hearted days.
The problem for the Tories — as on so many other issues — is that the Labour government has so effectively done their job for them. had Tory spokespeople always draw back anything which might associate them with terrorists' but the more sane among them realise of that the Anglo-American the proposals for Zimbabwe are the best guarantee business interests in the region. So it is worth going back to see what the 'Owen-Young' plan, published as a Labour government White Paper in September 1977, actually says.
The White Paper makes, reform" Wesete arc that these government. Yawning: Ian Smith.
will a number of quite specific proposals. • The liberation army replacement by Zimbabwe National Army' of British • he retention existing police, judiciary and civil service, even beyond the 'transitional period. • The plan would permit the government of Zimbabwe to introduce measures DUL Speaking: the Rev, Sithole, a member of lan Smith's transitional mutually contradictory destruction of the and to its tertile su farming land. of the • 20 per cent! of land subject to the of establishment whole.' takes *protection from deprivation of Rally property'. The two points are - the obvious intention being that the white 5 per cent should hold on per cent of per cent of parliamentary seats will be specially elected' to represent 'minorit in the plan. communities'. The minority, of British troops. force course, is white. It is also not 20 • Western powers will launch selves *Zimbabwe Development position, Fund' to bolster the economy of the new country. This is not, however, unbridled altruism investment will only be forthcoming if the transition takes place without disruption economy' and *the and continued operation of the Fund are on. predicated upon the acceptance and implementation of the terms of the settlement as a There is a not very polite word for that!
Finally, the Labour government proposes a transition period in which Britain back colonial power through a Resident Commis sioner, who will command the But *the primal •SULC responsibility for the maintenance of law and order will be with the existing police force.
Most ominously the White Paper provides for a United Nations Zimbabwe force to implement the other proposals . The core of such a would undoubtedly be No wonder the Tories have problems differentiating themfrom the government enthusiastic supporter of the Anglo-American plan is Liberal leader David Steel. He recently went on an 'unofficial' Strip to soutner Africa and came back with a superficially sympathetic appreciation of what was going Viewers of David Frost's celebrated *Global Village' programme on Zimbabwe will remember that Steel's was the most radical voice there. But all he actually said, when it came down to it, was that no solution possible the participation of black leaders more representative than Bishop Muzorewa And how is Britain to make that the OULCOHI acceptable? He didn't tell Frost, but Steel's position is that troops should be sent.
His visit was undoubtedly arranged in close contact with the Foreign Office and government. Steel is a stalking horse what he says today the Labour leadership will say LOLLUTTOW For the people of Zimbabwe that is very, very dangerous And that is why we too will be making Zimbabwe an issue in this election
THE 'peace treaty' between Israel and Egypt has again focused