336. Letter From President Carter to South African Prime Minister Vorster1
It has been some time since we have exchanged views, and I felt it particularly appropriate at this time to give you my thoughts on two issues of great importance to both our countries: Namibia and Rhodesia.
Within a few days, you will be receiving a revised Namibia proposal2 that represents almost a year of intensive and sometimes difficult discussions among the five Western members of the Security Council, your Government, and other parties. I am convinced that it can bring about Namibia’s transition to independence in a way that you and the world community will recognize as legitimate and fair. It can also create an overall political atmosphere that would greatly strengthen the hand of those working for peace and moderation in Southern Africa. I ask you to bear this in mind in considering the proposal, and to bear in mind as well that the five Western members of the Security Council are fully committed to its success. I urge your Government to join with us as a demonstration of South Africa’s willingness to work toward shared objectives.
The critical situation in Rhodesia also demands the attention of both our Governments. I believe that the Salisbury agreement is inade[Page 1029]quate to the task of bringing about an enduring and peaceful settlement.3 Without a more comprehensive agreement, the fighting will continue and escalate, offering further opportunity for the external intervention that all of us hope to avoid.
I believe that a peaceful settlement can best be advanced by restoring momentum to the Anglo-American negotiating effort through meetings of all parties. The signers of the Salisbury agreement would be included as well as the Patriotic Front, and a serious effort would be made to narrow their differences. The initial responses to this idea have been regrettably negative. Each of the principal parties appears more interested in preserving its perceived short-term advantage than in coming to grips with the prospects of increasing violence.
I have asked Ambassador Young to urge the leaders of the Front Line states to influence the Patriotic Front to participate in such a meeting. I shall make the same point to General Obasanjo when I visit Lagos. I hope that your Government will make a similar plea for conciliation and cooperation with the authorities in Salisbury.
In your letter of last November,4 you made clear your opposition to any arrangement, in Rhodesia or Namibia, that would deny the peoples of these territories their inherent right to self-determination. I share your concern on this point, and it is precisely for this reason that we must pursue solutions that show promise of leading to the essential goals of regional stability and self-determination.
I fully appreciate the deep concern with which you and your countrymen view these problems. I want to assure you that we will not falter in our search for solutions that are both peaceful and just.
Sincerely,
- Source: Carter Library, Plains File, President’s Personal Foreign Affairs File, Box 4, South Africa, Republic of, 3/78–1/80. No classification marking.↩
- See footnote 2, Document 85.↩
- On March 3, Smith announced an internal settlement, which resulted in a power-sharing agreement with Bishop Abel Muzorewa. See footnote 3, Document 194.↩
- See Document 323.↩