RHODESIA & SOUTH AFRICA: AFRICA'S TWO WHITE RULERS DELIVER HARSH NEW YEAR MESSAGES.

Record ID: 1061408

  • Title: RHODESIA & SOUTH AFRICA: AFRICA'S TWO WHITE RULERS DELIVER HARSH NEW YEAR MESSAGES.
  • Date: 31st December 1976
  • Summary: 1. SCU Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith delivering New Year message about nation's future in Salisbury, Rhodesia 1.47 2. SCU South African Prime Minister John Vorster delivering New Year message about nation's future in Port Elizabeth, South Africa 3.22 TRANSCRIPT: SEQ. 1: RHODESIAN PREMIER IAN SMITH: "The situation that has developed since my Government's acceptance on the 24th of November (Editors note: Mr. Smith means September 24) of the Anglo-American proposals for a constitutional settlement which had been put to me in Pretoria by Dr. Kissinger. In my address to the nation on that day, I made it clear that they were not our proposals, and that we did not consider that they provided the ideal situation. But we accepted them in good faith as a package deal on condition that they were accepted by the other parties concerned. We accepted, in all good faith, and we are standing by ready to implement the proposals in their entirety. But I must again make it very clear that our acceptance was conditional on the proposals being accepted in their entirety by the other parties. If they reject any of the basic principles, then they will be responsible for breaking the agreement, which will clearly mean that all the conditions including the two-year transitional period to majority rule, will fall away. You have my assurance that I, and my Government, have no intention of acquiescing in this state of affairs. We regard the security of our country, and of its people, as our prime responsibility and we shall discharge this responsibility come w???st may." SOUTH AFRICAN PREMIER JOHN VORSTER: "If ultimately, South Africa's need is demanded on a dish, ???, with the odd vote against and a for abstentions, will provide the dish. We, however, are certainly not prepared to provide the head. I've given this ??? great deal if thought, I do not talk about ??? as it effects our whole future existence. On behalf of our country, and all al??? its ???, I have not spared myself for moment to seek peace. The record is there, and ??? for itself. Our willingness to live in peace and harmony with all nations cannot be ??? . Our readiness to help solve problems cannot the faulted. But the fact remains that with these decisions, the militants and Marxists will feel themselves free and invited to launch aggressive escapades against us in the coming year. Let the world know that we are not to be had for free, that we desire nothing that belongs to others, but that we will protect and defend our rights -- out country -- with all the means at our disposal." Initials BB/0110 SATELLITE TELERECORDING Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 14th January 1977 12:00
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  • Location: SALISBURY, RHODESIA & PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA
  • City:
  • Country: Zimbabwe South Africa
  • Reuters ID: LVA9J5VJSD9HA8CD07LX369RKC50
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  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS - SOURCE TO BE VERIFIED
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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