adminThe Herald, September 15, 1979
LONDON. – President Nyerere of Tanzania arrived here yesterday from the Irish Republic for talks with the British Prime Minister, Mrs Thatcher, on the Zimbabwe-Rhodesia conference.
Before leaving Dublin after a five-day visit, he told reporters he believed a settlement could be achieved as a result of the conference, reports Iana-Reuter.
“I mean it when I say that it now depends on the seriousness of the British Government. Will they be able to assert the necessary authority to supervise elections?”
Dr Nyerere warned that if the conference failed, the bush war in Zimbabwe Rhodesia would “continue with greater intensity”.
The President, who is due to leave for home today, is expected to meet Patriotic Front leaders Mr Nkomo and Mr Mugabe, while he is in London.
Dr Nyerere was asked at a Dublin Press Conference yesterday about his support for the Patriotic Front.
“They are fighting for independence in their own country,” he replied.
“As long as these people are not free, fighting is necessary. It is the duty of Africans to support the fighting.
“I am not a Gandhi, I am not opposed to violence philosophically.”
On his way back to Tanzania Dr Nyerere will pay a three-day official visit to Bulgaria, the Tanzanian High Commission said.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
When engaging in negotiations, there is need for one side to assert their authority and to demonstrate their commitment to resolving the issues at stake. The success of the Lancaster House talks hinged on the British Government to convince their erstwhile kith and kin to accept majority rule.
All for one, and one for all. African nations succeeded in getting their independence because they supported each other. In this case Dr Nyerere’s input into the Lancaster House talks was helpful in steering the negotiations.
When fighting for a cause, people are normally determined to do all that it takes. In this instance the nationalists were prepared to continue with the war if the talks had not worked.
Online Reporter