133. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Zambia1
20461. For the Ambassador. Subject: Message to President Kaunda.
1. Please pass the following message to President Kaunda.
2. “Dear Mr. President: The President has written you to say I would be in touch.2 I want to take an early opportunity to write you about the Rhodesian situation. I appreciated the message of encouragement you sent me through Mark Chona and profited from his report of your views.
3. “Needless to say, Ian Smith’s January 243 speech came as an unpleasant surprise to us. As you know, we have supported the British proposals on Rhodesia as a basis for further negotiations and had [Page 366] hoped that Smith and the Zimbabwean nationalists would do the same. Of course I recognize that during the course of negotiations concessions by all the parties will be necessary if a solution is to be reached. We continue to support the framework of a settlement which the British have advanced. We regret that efforts to reach a satisfactory negotiated settlement have, for the moment, at least, been rebuffed. Smith’s attitude has produced a new and more dangerous situation in Rhodesia and Southern Africa.
4. “Smith’s reference in his speech to an internal solution is unacceptable and we have so stated in public. We have told him that if a deadlock is reached, he will be met by stiff American opposition. As an indication of our position, the President has asked me to tell you that the administration will seek the repeal of the Byrd Amendment. We are beginning efforts with the Congress to work towards that end. We have asked the South Africans to communicate our message to Smith.4
5. “I will be making a statement to the press on Monday in which I will reconfirm the United States’ commitment to majority rule, our intention to pursue a negotiated settlement and will restate our opposition to the course Ian Smith has indicated. We are in close consultations with the British Government and will over the course of the coming days give careful thought to the next steps. As our review of the situation proceeds, I expect to stay in close touch with you and look forward to having your thoughts. I hope all parties will move forward in the period ahead in a manner which will contribute to a renewed search for a peaceful solution.
6. “I understand you will be in Tanzania at the same time Ambassador Andrew Young is visiting. I would appreciate your receiving him and providing him with your assessment of what lies ahead.
7. “I know of your long dedication to the cause of peace in Southern Africa and the independence of Zimbabwe and Namibia. Your vision and courage have long impressed me. The present situation is a difficult one, but I am certain that, if we join together and persevere, a successful conclusion will be reached.5
8. “Respectfully, Cyrus R. Vance.”
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 88, Zambia: 1/77–5/78. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Wisner; cleared by Schaufele and Habib and in S/S; approved by Vance.↩
- In telegram 17342 to Lusaka, January 26, the Department transmitted a message from President Carter to President Kaunda, in which Carter expressed his commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Rhodesia and Namibia. Carter also mentioned that Vance would consult with Kaunda “on future steps we might take, and ways in which we can work together to achieve solutions for Southern Africa’s difficult problems.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 22, Zambia: President Kenneth D. Kaunda, 1–12/77)↩
- See footnote 2, Document 131.↩
- See the attachment to Document 131.↩
- In telegram 337 from Lusaka, February 4, the Embassy transmitted a reply from Kaunda to Vance. Kaunda welcomed the administration’s commitment to majority rule in Southern Africa, but said that Smith’s announcement left the Frontline States “no choice but to support the Nationalists fully in their intensification of the war of liberation.” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 88, Zambia: 1/77–5/78)↩