A Better Solution for Rhodesia?

This letter is to put forward an American view on the Rhodesian situation - I am speaking as some body who has actually been there not as some self appointed 'authority' who has nothing to support his claims except what he read in the papers.

There is now a new embassy of the United States in Rhodesia: America's Embassy of Goodwill. The seal on the door of this embassy is one depicting the American Eagle with one crippled wing. This signifies US Government attempts to na[unclear: nus] Americans fighting in Rhodesia although there is no such interference visited on Americans fighting; in other armies, for instance the Israeli Army. The Crippled Eagle is perched on a red, white, & blue shield. In the Eagle's talons is an FN rifle, the standard weapon of the Rhodesian army and the quill pen signifying the truth being told about this war against communist terrorism.

I am distressed that the Byrd amendment was repealed and that the Carter Administration saw fit to buy second grade chrome for double the price from the enemy, rather than trade with a friendly nation.

The so called Diplomats who would solve the problems facing [unclear: Rhodesia,] problems that will ultimately have to be faced in America, do so at a distance of 12,000 miles or more, refusing to establish first echelon representation here. They do irreparable harm to the entire free world.

Unfortunately, as some Americans have now realized, a great tide of racial trauma, mindless and irrational, has swept over our country — drowning reason and sober reflection in its wake. Because of deep seated problems in America, exacerbated by racist rhetoric on the part of one of America's highest ranking diplomatic officials, it seems impossible for the American government to perceive that the conflict in Rhodesia in 1979 is not racial it is ideological. Will a moderate majority government dedicated to democratic principles be farmed in Rhodesia or will the Marxists, backed by Russia and China, and to some degree the US, through the barrel of a gun bring their minority black rule? We have seen the results of the latter in Mozambique Angola and Cuba.

There can be little doubt in any informed person's mind that, if all countries were to normalize their relations with Rhodesia, at this point in history, she would be in a position to solve her problems from within, among her own citizens black and white. Such a move would be a great boost for the economy of Rhodesia and those who trade with her and ensure that a Marxist one-man-one-vote-one-time government does not come into power.