152. Telegram From the Department of State to the Consulate in Cape Town1
104967. For Charge. Cape Town for Embassy. Subject: Informing SAG of US–UK Agreement to Begin Joint Consultations on Rhodesia.
1. At earliest opportunity you should inform FonMin Botha or Brand Fourie of US–UK agreement on next steps in Rhodesia using talking points in para 2 and informing them that we and British are planning make simultaneous announcement along lines of draft text in para 3.
2. Talking points:
A. The U.S. and U.K. are planning to announce simultaneously the next steps in Rhodesia negotiations on or before Wednesday, May 11.2 We feel it is important for you to know and understand what our plans are before public announcement is made.
B. The Carter administration has agreed to become more actively involved in the negotiations leading to a Rhodesian settlement than we have hitherto been.
C. This willingness serves as an indication of our continuing interest in Southern Africa. We feel that our desire to assist Rhodesia to independence is not only consistent with our principles, but also serves as a counterweight to Soviet designs for the region.
D. Continued violence in Rhodesia increase the possibility of foreign intervention. A negotiated settlement is therefore of growing urgency.
E. As the negotiations concerning a Rhodesian constitution evolve, there will be many issues that can only be resolved through compromise and moderation. We hope that South Africa will continue to play an important role in helping Mr. Smith to understand the realities of his situation.
F. We have consulted closely with the British and agree with them that consultations about an independence constitution and the necessary transitional arrangements could help achieve a negotiated settle[Page 415]ment. Accordingly, we have agreed to work closely with them in carrying out a new phase of intensive consultations with the parties that were present at the Geneva Conference.
G. We believe bilateral consultations are essential to provide some basis for discussion among the parties and for a settlement. It would be futile to rush to another conference before there is some agreement on basic principles.
H. We see our role in the consultative process as facilitating agreement on basic principles and helping the British seek a real basis for settlement.
I. If there is progress in the consultations, we are prepared to ask the Front Line States to urge the Nationalists to accept a just settlement. There are limits to our ability, but we believe we can have a constructive influence.
J. To pursue the bilateral consultations, the U.S. will assign a senior official to work closely with the head of the group. Occasional visits to Rhodesia may be necessary and the U.S. official will accompany when appropriate.
K. We will conduct consultations jointly with the British or separately depending on the wishes of the individual parties.
L. We do not wish ourselves to negotiate the details of a constitution. This should properly be left to those immediately concerned and the U.K.
3. Begin text: The U.S. Secretary of State, Mr. Cyrus Vance, and the British Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, Dr. David Owen, have considered the problem of Rhodesia in the light of the latter’s trip to Africa. Both governments wish to reiterate their common determination to work for the independence of Rhodesia under majority rule in 1978. They have been encouraged by their contacts so far to believe that detailed consultations about an independence constitution and the necessary transitional arrangements could be a satisfactory way to achieve this. They have, therefore, agreed that Britain and the United States should now enter into a phase of intensive consultations with the parties. For this purpose, the British Government has decided to establish a consultative group to make contact with the parties which will visit the area as necessary, including Salisbury. It will be headed by Mr. J.A.N. Graham, Deputy Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Mr. Vance has agreed to appoint a senior United States official to work with the head of the British Consultative Group.3 End text.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770166–0250. Confidential; Niact Immediate; Exdis. Cleared in S/S; approved by Seelye. The text of this telegram was transmitted to Washington in Secto 4011 from London, May 8. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840076–1263)↩
- On May 11, Vance and Owen announced the establishment of the Anglo-American Consultative Group, consisting of John Graham and Stephen Low. For text of the statement, see Department of State Bulletin, June 6, 1977, p. 609.↩
- In telegram Tosec 40246/107353 to Tehran, May 13, Tarnoff informed Vance that Low had accepted the position. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770168–0491)↩