Prime Minister Abel Muzorewa
Message to the people of Zimbabwe – Rhodesia
From the Lancaster House talks
London September 15th 1979

We have been accorded the most excellent hospitality arrangements and have nothing but gratitude to the British Government in this regard. So far, the conference has progressed fairly satisfactorily. Our intention in coming to London was for discussion on our Constitution — it was to attend a Constitutional Conference — and nothing else. The two item agenda placed before us by the British Government may have pleased them and the Patriotic Front but we have submitted in writing our strong reservations over discussing anything more than our Constitution.

We are, at the present time, giving careful study to the British Government’s proposals and we shall let you know when we are ready to react to these. Meanwhile I want to say this to all of you at home. I consider that the affairs we are discussing here are moving well for our delegation as one from our Government of National Unity and for our nation under one flag.

We have undisputedly proved and let it be seen that our non-racial society works under a solid democratic government which is led by people of the highest integrity. We have already witnessed a miracle of mutual respect and co-operation between black and white under majority rule. All of our positive thinking, far seeing, white people with the true spirit of goodwill must by now be convinced that given the correct black leadership they have nothing whatsoever to fear.

Very soon anyone doubting this will discover like the whites in Kenya did many years ago that their fear over a majority rule constitution and what they considered as safeguards were not really that important after all. They will appreciate and acknowledge that what really matters is a strong positive government, law and order, together with sound economic opportunities and for the blacks to hold sufficient power to govern the country with authority and justice.

I want to assure everyone at home that whatever happens at this Lancaster House Conference, I am certain that we shall secure these most important objectives for all our people of all races. I repeat a just Constitution for all. We are not talking about other matters. We will not discuss issues that are non-starters such as our security forces, our military or our police, our system of law and order. Every person of sound mind realises and already knows the answer to such suggestions. No country anywhere in the world can accept the dismantlement of their security services and the forces that maintain the law and good order.

You have probably heard the most unfortunate statement of the week, which came from Dr. Julius Nyerere, President of Tanzania, to the effect that if this Conference, which we are all hoping must and will succeed, fails, according to him, the whole of Africa must support the Patriotic Front.

I want to reiterate what we all already know that in fact the reason for such a tragic division amongst the various political parties of Zimbabwe Rhodesia is because the Frontline States, whose Chairman is Dr. Nyerere, true to their power hungry ambitions desire to be king makers, have always taken sides with individual leaders supporting one against the other, rather than urging genuine unity. They tragically disagree on who the "king" of Zimbabwe should be and therefore wickedly encourage the various groups to be enemies of each other. For example, Machel wants Mugabe - Kaunda wants Nkomo. The result is that their followers have been given orders to eliminate each other inside our country. They are doing this and more of our fellow countrymen are being uselessly killed every day. This is something for which the Frontline States must bear full responsibility.

President Nyerere needs to be told that if his pessimistic prediction should materialise and this Conference fails and the whole of Africa decided to support the "so - called" Patriotic Front which is equally tragically divided, the security forces of our country and the whole of our seven million people will rise to defend themselves.

The evil ambition of those, like President Nyerere, who advocate total war will be defied and they will be decisively humiliated by defeat that they will learn to regret for the rest of their lives. What is worse, the brunt of that tragedy and its consequences will be borne more by the states that neighbour on ours. Dr. Nyerere's is the type of intimidation and confrontation we have come to expect from the Frontline States. What they are now attempting is to intimidate and confront the British Government with their undemocratic and despotic demands.

I am confident that Mrs Thatcher, Lord Carrington and the British Government have the ability to see through these blatant attempts to influence the course of the Conference as has been the case with the Frontline States in everything to do with our country.

We have nothing to fear. As I said on the eve of my departure, stay well, stay united, be courageous. These are difficult times for all but I wish to assure you that this is but a passing phase in the history of our country and our nation.