Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XVI, Southern Africa

140. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter¹

Washington, February 10, 1977

1. Southern Africa: South African Ambassador Botha told us this morning that the Smith-Vorster meeting yesterday revealed that the Rhodesians “have had a change of heart and are convinced of the necessity for majority rule”. According to Botha, Vorster came away from his talks with Smith persuaded that the Rhodesians are at the “end of the road” and willing to:

—grant majority rule in 15–18 months;

—accept that Kissinger’s five points can no longer serve as the basis for discussions with the African nationalists; and

—drop their “internal solution” formula.

Alleging that the Rhodesians have had a genuine “change of heart”, the South Africans want to have a high level exchange of views with the British and ourselves on how best to proceed. I have asked Botha to come in to see me on Saturday morning to get further details of the Smith position.² If a real change has occurred we will work rapidly to get the talks between the interested parties back on track. Smith is sly, however, and we need more than assurances from South Africa that he has become more flexible. We will soon be suggesting ways to smoke him out to see if a real change has occurred.³

[Omitted here is material unrelated to Rhodesia.]

4. Hill Appearance: As you know I testified in favor of⁴ the Byrd amendment before the Clark subcommittee this morning.⁵ The Senators were very supportive of our position and the session went well. The full Committee is expected to report Clark’s repeal bill on February 22, and it should pass the Senate by early March. Final passage in the Senate is almost certain although there are likely to be attempts to slow it down with a filibuster. We will be able to muster the necessary votes to obtain cloture. In the House, passage is not a certainty, but Congressman Dent’s conversion and strong push from you and me should put us over the top.⁶

[Omitted here is material unrelated to Rhodesia.]

1. Source: Carter Library, Plains File, Subject File, Box 37, State Department Evening Reports, 1–2/77. Secret. Carter initialed the memorandum and wrote: “To Cy, good!”
2. See Document 141.
3. Carter wrote in the right-hand margin next to this paragraph: “Call me.”
4. An unknown hand added an asterisk and wrote in the left-hand margin “repealing the.”
5. Vance and Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Julius L. Katz both testified before the Subcommittee on African Affairs of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on February 10. For text of the statements, see Department of State Bulletin, February 28, 1977, pp. 170–174.
6. Carter wrote “C” in the right-hand margin next to this sentence.