CONFIDENTIAL
The Prime Minister might also reaffirm our commitment to the "possible negotiating concept" worked out by the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group in 1986. We should, however, be realistic in our expectations. Once FW de Klerk takes over as State President he will need time to establish himself. The South African Government are anyway unlikely to make any far-reaching moves until the tricameral elections are out of the way (the latest developments in South Africa are described in Sir R Renwick's telegrams at Annex F). But when the time comes the Front Line States will have a crucial role to play in persuading the ANC to come to the negotiating table in the context of a suspension of violence on all sides.
There are also signs that Mugabe is beginning to rethink his policy of avoiding Ministerial contact with the South African Government. Their Deputy Foreign Minister (Kobus Meiring) may be invited unofficially to visit Harare in April, though the Prime Minister should not reveal that she knows this. We also know from other sources. that Mugabe may be willing to contemplate direct -- talks with the South Africans about a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Mozambique (see separate letter). The Prime Minister may wish to ask Mugabe how he sees the prospects for a dialogue with Pretoria in the light of the Angola/Namibia Agreements and the changing leadership position in South Africa.
The Commonwealth
It is likely that Mugabe will wish to discuss CHOGM and other Commonwealth issues. The Prime Minister will wish to make the point that CHOGM will take place just before the elections in Namibia. CHOGM should concentrate on how the Commonwealth can assist Namibia towards independence, not on further measures against South Africa.
She could also mention the importance of other agenda items including the possible environment initiative proposed by the Malaysians, the follow up to the Climatic Change and Sea Level Rise Study, the Commonwealth of Learning and the Commonwealth Equity Fund. She might add that we hope Pakistan will be welcomed back into the Commonwealth in time for Miss Bhutto to participate at Kuala Lumpur.
CONFIDENTIAL