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In carrying out this program we shall consult closely with the Presidents of Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia.
We are open minded
We believe these are important measures. with respect to additional actions that can help speed a resolution. The United States will consult closely with African leaders, especially the four presidents, and with other friends on the Rhodesian problem. For the central fact that I have come here to stress is this: The United States is wholly committed to help bring about a rapid, just and African solution to the issue of Rhodesia.
NAMIBIA
Rhodesia is the most urgent but by no means the only critical problem in Southern Africa. The status of Namibia has been a source of contention between the world community and South Africa for over three decades.
The territory of South-West Africa turned into a source of serious international discord following World War II. When the United Nations refused to accede to South Africa's proposal for annexation of the territory, South Africa declined to enter into a trusteeship agreement, and since then has refused to recognize the United Nations as the legal sovereign. In 1966, the General Assembly terminated South Africa's mandate over the territory. In 1971, the International Court of Justice concluded that South Africa's occupation of Namibia was illegal and that it should withdraw.
The United States voted for the 1966 General Assembly Resolution. We were the only major power to argue before the International Court that South African occupation was illegal. And in January 1976 the United States voted in favor of the UN Resolution condemning the occupation of Namibia and calling for South Africa to take specific steps toward Namibia's self-determination and independence.