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(THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT)
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SECRET
C. P. (49) 157
20TH JULY, 1949
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COPY NO.
31
85
CABINET
BECHUANALAND PROTECTORATE
SUCCESSION TO THE CHIEFTAINSHIP OF THE BAMANGWATO TRIBE
Memorandum by the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations
Since circulating C. P. (49) 155 I have given further serious consideration to the problem presented by Seretse Khama's marriage and have come to the conclusion that it might be best, before deciding either to refuse recognition or to set up a judicial enquiry, to propose to the High Commissioner that Seretse should be asked to return to this country for discussions at the Commonwealth Relations Office. I feel that there is some hope that if we can have a frank discussion with Seretse and his wife, they may both decide that it would be undesirable that Seretse should take up the Chieftainship of the Tribe. The reasons which have influenced me in making this proposal are set out in the attached draft telegram which, if my colleagues concur, should like to send to the High Commissioner.
I
Commonwealth Relations Office,
S. W. 1.
20TH JULY, 1949.
P. J. N.-B.
No.
ANNEX
DRAFT TELEGRAM TO UNITED KINGDOM
HIGH COMMISSIONER, PRETORIA
Secret and Personal.
9
I have been considering further the difficult problem presented by the Seretse affair. While I agree that there is much to be said for your proposal for a judicial enquiry we cannot it seems to me, ignore the possibility that such an enquiry might result in a report favourable to the recognition of Seretse on the ground that there is nothing against his personal character and suitability and that the majority of the Tribe appear to have definitely accepted him as Chief as a result of the proceedings at the recent meetings. Further discussions with the Tribe might in fact merely confirm this verdict.
2.
If this should be the result of the enquiry we should still be faced with the grave political difficulties to which you have called attention and it would have become all the pan ga z ƒ fiqult to refuse to recogni separat of 662 note in
1591785f669ult
recognisepet fact that you say that the local Administration feel that if we are ever to go against Seretse we should do so now.
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