65/! 49
FOR FIdESS P. M. Np. / 1965
2EPLY TO NIGFRIA'S INVITATION TO CONFENCE ON iH0DESIA
( The t. H Ti.
I have written to the Prime Minister of Nigeria, the 1-t. Hon.
Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, informing him that, under the existing
circumstances, Australia is not in favour of the convening of a special
Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference on -Ihodesia.
I told Sir Abubakar that, because of our deep respect for him,
and for his high character and motives, we had given careful
consideration to the invitation to the Conference. I then outlined
the reasons for our attitude to the proposed conference.
I pointed out that we have publicly stated that we regard the
Unilateral Declaration of Independence by the Smith Government as
illegal. . ie have refused diplomatic recognition of the new regime.
de continue to believe, and to say, that any constitutional
settlement in Rhodesia must be on the basis of a steady progress
towards majority rule and the removal of measures of racial
discrimination. Jie believe that in preparation for the achievement of an African
majority there should be an active educational programme, to which
many of us might contribute.
Je have strongly supported the financial and economic sanctions
imposed by Britain, and have ourselves imposed sanctions covering
93% of our jihodesian imports.
' W7e believe that, if extensive economic measures are adopted by a
sifficient number of nations, the persuasive pressure so generated
will induce a return to the Conference table.
But we are deeply and publicly opposed to the proposals, made by
some Commonwealth members, for the use of armed force. *, Jc are not
aware of any evidence that Rhodesia contemplates any armed attack upon
any other country. , e would regard the assembling of non-Rhodesian
forces on the fr6ntiers of Ihodesia as needlessly provocative and
dangerous. The vital interests of Zambia, for example, can be protected only
if peace is maintained.
It is necessary to ask what the purposes or likely results of a
special conference would be.
The Australian Government believes that the government of Britain
has behaved with firmness, expedition, and good sense; and that its
resistance to the use of arms to enforce a constitutional settlement is
sound.
a 2.
But several Commonwealth countries are publicly demanding that
armed force be used, and by Britain. Some of' these countries seem
to have deeply and passionately committed themselves.
Under these circumstances, a Prime M1inisters' Conference would
in our view be unlikely to do more than record and emphasise differences.
No unanimity of view could be achieved, and considerable bitterpness
would be disclosed. This would be a terrible zrice to pay for the
convening of a conference upon a problem in relation to which, as
the la,-st Prime Ministers! Conference unanimously re-Yaffirned, " the
authority and responsibility for leading her remaining Colonies,
including Southern 1hodesia,. to independence miE t continue to rest
wiith Britain."
My Government has consistently opposed the giving of any Commonwealth
orders to Britain as to how she should exercise that authority and
discharge that responsibility. To have her, in effect, attacked and
threatened at a special conference, would be a grave departure from
proper practice in a Commonwealth g~ athering. Tt would also op'en the
door to a new era in Commonwealth rel. c. tions, the abandonment of the
old sound rules of non-intervention in the affairs of other Commonwealth
countries, and the encouragement of those outside nations and
groups which are ever ready to fish in troubled waters.
My government does not, as it now sees the matter, wish to
involve itself in a process which would prove so disastrous, not
only to the Commonwealth but to Australia, Which would run a grave
risk of having its views distorted or misinterpreted.
CANBERiLI December 28, 1965.