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

180. Letter From President Carter to Zambian President Kaunda¹

Washington, December 9, 1977

Dear Mr. President:

Thank you for sending me your latest thoughts on the Rhodesian problem.² And I appreciated the opportunity to speak to you personally on the telephone December 6,³ and to have reaffirmed our continuing cooperation on resolving this problem. I am sending this letter by Mark Chona from my meeting with him.⁴

You know how highly I value your experience and counsel, and how much I respect your commitment. I am glad that you understand the United States’ deep commitment to help bring majority rule to Zimbabwe. I am glad, too, that we agree that the transition to majority rule must come as soon as possible, to avert further violence and bloodshed among people who have already seen too much of both.

I will carefully consider the ideas you present in the memorandum accompanying your letter.⁵ We agree that the democratic ideal to which your nation and mine subscribe dictates that Zimbabwe’s new leaders be chosen without intimidation and violence. I understand your fear that the transitional period envisaged under the British-American proposals will not create the right atmosphere for peaceful elections. But in the spirit of candor which characterizes our relationship, I must say that, while organizing and holding free elections without violence during the transitional period will not be easy, it should not be impossible. With goodwill and determination from the parties and states involved, including your country and mine, it can be done.

In the coming weeks we shall be consulting further about the appropriate steps to take toward our shared goal of majority rule and independence for Zimbabwe. We will take your concerns very seriously as we try to ensure that the elections can be conducted without intimidation or conflict.

I was very glad to hear from Ambassador Low that you have accepted, in principle, my invitation to pay a State Visit to the United States in 1978. Although we both know from experience how events can alter such plans, I hope that next spring we will have the opportunity to sit down together and continue our dialogue in a personal spirit of shared commitment, friendship, and common purpose.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Carter

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 22, Zambia: President Kenneth D. Kaunda, 1–12/77. No classification marking.
2. In telegram 3576 from Lusaka, November 27, the Embassy transmitted Kaunda’s letter and memorandum to Carter. (Ibid.)
3. According to the President’s Daily Diary, Carter spoke to Kaunda from 4:07 to 4:15 p.m. on December 6. (Carter Library, Presidential Materials)
4. According to the President’s Daily Diary, Carter met with Chona and Zambian Ambassador Ngonda on December 9 from 4:45 to 4:55 p.m. (Ibid.)
5. See footnote 2 above. Kaunda’s memorandum, entitled “The Anglo-American Proposals. The Election Option,” criticized the British position that the transfer of power should be through general elections before independence. Kaunda argued that it would be “unwise to hold elections before the independence.”