Settlement
The need for a 'settlement' in Zimbabwe is becoming ever more urgent for imperialism in order to contain the fury that has been unleashed by the liberation of the Portuguese colonies. Every attempt has been made to prevent the armed road from being taken in Zimbabwe a road that could prove disastrous for imperialist interests and those of its puppet regimes in southern Africa.
For President Kaunda of Zambia, the need for a 'solution to Rhodesia is noi unrelated to the crisis that his own regime finds itself in as a result of the revolution in Angola. Unable to use the post of of Lobito in Angola any more, Zambian copper - the country's major export can only be transported through Rhodesia. Yet this is impossible in a situation where Smith either rules or is engulfed by a revolton un anodesta. Moreover the latter would also have repercussions in Zambia, where the working class has shown growing militancy.
Cuddling
It is theretore no surprise that Kaunda has been cuddling up to Vorster, who naturallv also fears the repercussions of une struggle for Lambadwe inside south Africa, and is sparing no effort to ensure that the puppet Muzorewa and the African National Council continue to plav the game 'in search of a peaceful solution'.
biggest investors in southern Africa, are clinging desperately to the task of protecting their interests in the area, a role to which the Wilson Government is well accustomed. It is no surprise that every attempt is being made to head off the coming crisis in the region.
Showdown
Well aware of the stakes involved, Smith has called for another meeting -us ume inside anodesta off by privileges bestowed upon them by the regime. At the same time the whites are arming for the inevitable showdown. While playing for time, Smith rests assur ed that although he is a thorn in the side of imperialism, the latter will co-operate - the alternative would be too ghastly to imagine.
- with a motley collection of tribal chiefs, long ago bought
.red weekly 4 september 1975