224. Central Intelligence Agency Information Cable1
COUNTRY
- Rhodesia
SUBJECT
- Belief of Senior Rhodesian Security Officials That 29 January 1979 Meeting Had Significant Impact on Smith’s Political Plans (DOT: Late February–[less than 1 line not declassified] 1979)
SOURCE
- [5 lines not declassified]
1. After discussions with colleagues and with the British Ambassador to South Africa on 25 February 1979, senior Rhodesian security officials believe that the private talk between Prime Minister Ian Smith [Page 669] and a private American citizen, Mr. Allard Lowenstein, on 29 January2 had great impact on Smith. In reconstructing events, these officials believe that it was after the discussion of lifting economic sanctions in return for Smith’s early resignation that the idea became planted in Smith’s mind for the first time that he could delay his planned resignation and bargain for a major Western concession in return for resigning. The officials trace Smith’s sudden public waffling on the issue of when he would resign to 29 January, the day of the meeting.3
2. ACQ: [less than 1 line not declassified]
3. Field dissem: [less than 1 line not declassified]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Country File, Box 88, Zimbabwe (Rhodesia): 11/78–3/79. Secret; [handling restriction not declassified].↩
- See Document 222 and footnote 2 thereto.↩
- In a March 7 memorandum to Aaron, Funk wrote: “Apparently Pik Botha believes that Smith should resign prior to 20 April, and had assurances from Smith that he would. Rhodesian security officials concur in the necessity for Smith’s resignation. They now feel that ’Smith’s sudden public waffling on the issue’ is causally related to Lowenstein’s discussions with Smith on 29 January.” Inderfurth wrote at the bottom of the page: “David, I think you should step in—if you have not already done so—and straighten out the Lowenstein mess. Rick.” Aaron wrote below this: “I have DA.”↩