30.
Since the illegal declaration of independence in
Rhodesia there were some who argued that we should have carried
out a military invasion: this we have ruled out, because we do
not feel that it can lead to a satisfactory solution of the
problem, but would cause a large-scale racial war in Southern
Africa. Our alternative has been to impose economic and
political pressures on the régime while attempting to negotiate
a settlement that will protect the rights and futures of all the
peoples of Rhodesia. The illegal régime has passed the last
31⁄2 years in a limbo, internationally isolated and starved of
the goods and capital that are vital to the development of
their economy.
The British Government alone can grant indepen-
dence to Rhodesia. If she is not to remain in her present
condition of stagnation, but is to go forward to a peaceful and
prosperous future, it is essential that a settlement should be
negotiated on the basis of the British Government's "Six
Principles" and which would earn Rhodesia recognition by the
international community.
31. I should now like to say at least a word about the western
hemisphere, where we still have responsibilities for a number of
territories not yet independent, and also the commitment to
provide for the external relations and defence of the Associated
States, Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla
and St. Lucia, which are already fully self-governing internally.
32. Paragraph on Anguilla to be added on Wednesday, 26 March.
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