TNAG-0851-FCO40-1061-Future-of-Hong-Kong-New-Territories-leases-1979 — Page 83

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a strategic blueprint designed to achieve its objectives without needing to fight a war, although it was prepared to do this if

necessary. It was trying to buy time in Europe under cover

of detente, at the same time as carrying out military expansion and preparations for war in the peripheral areas. sought control of strategic areas, including raw materials and sea lanes, with the final objective of carrying out its ambitions in Europe.

It

21. On Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, the Chinese Government had always supported the just demand of the Zimbabwe people for majority rule. Britain had made some progress throught its consultations

with the Front Line States and the Zimbabwe-Rhodesia conference.

If Britain respected the wishes of the Front Line States and legitimate demands of the Zimbabwe people through patient negotiations towards a reasonable solution, this would be in the interests of the people of Zimbabwe, of the overall situation in Southern Africa and of North/South relations.

legitimate position of the Patriotic Front forces had to be recognised. An agreement with Bishop Muzorewa alone would not end

the war. The Front Line States and the Patriotic Front would

have to be satisfied.

22.

The

Lord Carrington said that he had spent the last eight weeks trying to produce just such a result, through arranging elections at which the people of Zimbabwe could express their views freely. It was crucial that everyone should abide by the results. It had to be remembered that the British

Government were negotiating not only with the Patriotic Front, but also with Bishop Muzorewa, who had won a reasonably fair

election, had a large army,

and headed the Government in

Salisbury. They had to find a settlement which was acceptable

to both sides.

23. The talks concluded at 11.05 am.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

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