THE state of Zimbabwe Rhodesia" came into being with surprisingly litile Smith's triumph for all it was worth, they instead decided to consign the story to the inside pages.
The problem wus that the story was rather uninspiring. The celebrations were almost deliberutely calculated to show how little had changed. There нУ ВО Селениниа RAstERE Ot Enc new flag — because there is no flag. No singing of the national anthem for there is no anthem.
Instead the Union Jack was hoisted in a curious symbolic appeal to the Tories for recognition.
The vulgoing Prime Minister, lan Smith, deliberately and contemptuousty underlined the Indicrousness of the occasion in his farewell broadcast. He snoounced that he was not in favour of black majority rule 'based on race or colour as if that had been in doubt.
And be expluined that the future of the new state still rested on the white population since it was they who controlled the armed forces, If he had added that they contend the police. Judiciary, civil service, land a00 a large chunk of the government. he would have given a full and accurate portrait of "Zimbabwe Rhodesla".
Accommodate This is why the launching of the new siale was wiven saich SUITSC coverage, so as not to embarrass a Tory government BOW trying accommodate to Bishop Muzorena's The lint move wall come from recent Senate derision overwhelmingly recommended President Carter recognise the Muzorews government within ten days of its taking office and lo it samelians. the recomm codation is not binding but Carter B still obliged to say what he will do within that ten day limit.
After the talks hetween Secretary of Male Cyrus Vance and Forcin Secretary Lord Carrington if seems clear that witever Curfer decided to do will be indicative of Tory policy The Best nances remain in harmony for the moment in their slow drift towards recognition.
Nuanced It is most Improbable that Carter will recognise Mazurewa outright. To do so would place intolerable strains and sabotage the Tories soft sell approach at the August Commonwalth conference.
For, contrary to most predictions, the Tories are still not rushing into recognition. For the moment their policy is only a nuaaced version of their predecessors". The despatch of Lord Harlech to talk to the leaders of the Patriotic Front liberation movement is of a piece with Labour's olicy. This was to split the Front and iring a section of it - possibly is CHINE leadership into independent government.
The plan was obviously worked out at the very highest level of East-West negotiations. The end result would be a politically pro-Soviet state which nevertheless Фреп capitalist investment.
Such u carefully worked out plan kill not be abandoned just like thar iren Smith in his final broadcast left open the renegotiution of the present coastitution in collaboration with the Patriotic Front. In this contest the announcement -East week of sew moves towurds the unification of the two parties which make up the Front is especially positive.
The broad lines of Anglo-American polics now being clear, the need for solidarity has never been more urgent. The demonstration in Landon on 30 June, called by the Zimhubwe Emergency Campaign Committee, has to be supported by every socialist with the maximum possible endorselan Smith and the reverend Sithole in Washington fast October, being received by US Senator Hayukuwa lahour movement organisations.
However, the actual lines of Tory policy indicate that the demonstration's political slogan, No Tory sell-out in Timbubne! is adequate.. The Tones show every intention of logically extending the policy of the Laleur leadership — which is the whole problem.
This is why Socialist Challenge is approaching other organisations to support a contingent marching on the unequivocal basis of "Hunds off Limbative and to propose that all future activities he organised on that hasis.
*30 June, 2.30, Sanithfield Market London. March past Fleet Street and Rhodesia House to rally in Trufalgar Square, Joshua Nkomo and Rober Mugube of the Patriotle Front have been invited to speak
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fuss last week. Where we might have espected the British press to play lan