1.
GV EXT Hotel Intercontinental
0.08

2.
GV Nkomo arrives in car, exits and approaches hotel
0.24

3.
GV Onlookers
0.27

4.
GV Kissinger at hotel entrance with onlookers
0.37

5.
SV INT Kissinger and Nkomo
0.48

6.
GV EXT State House
0.51

7.
GV INT One of the conference tables
0.56

8.
GV Kissinger at microphones
1.01

9.
SV Kissinger speaking (CUTAWAYS of various people including Zambia's President Kaunda) (5 shots)
3.26


KISSINGER: "I am not here to give American prescriptions for Africa's problems. Your programme must be African. Basic decisions and goals must be African. But we are prepared to help. Nor am I here to set African against African -- either among your governments or among factions of liberation movements. African problems cannot be solved, and your destiny cannot be fulfilled, except by a united Africa. America supports African unity. We urge all other countries to do the same. The United States' position on Rhodesia is clear and unmistaken. As President Ford has said, the United States is totally dedicated to see to it that the majority becomes the ruling power in Rhodesia. We do not recognise the Rhodesian minority regime. The Salisbury regime must understand that it cannot expect United States support -- either in diplomacy or in material help -- at any stage in its conflict with African states or African liberation movements. On the contrary, it will face our unrelenting opposition until a negotiated settlement, leading to majority-rule, is achieved. Finally, we state our conviction that whites as well as blacks should have a secure future and civil rights in a (indistinct) that has achieved racial justice. A constitutional structure should protect minority rights together with establishing majority-rule. We are prepared to devote some of our assistance programmes to this objective. In carrying out this programme we should consult closely with the Presidents of Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia."




Initials BB/2215 JB/AH/BB/2230



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The United States Secretary of State, Dr. Henry Kissinger, said on Tuesday (27 April) that his country is totally dedicated to promoting black majority-rule in Rhodesia. He was speaking at State House in the Zambian capital, Lusaka.

In his statement, Dr. Kissinger said that the white minority government in Rhodesia "cannot expect Untied States support, either in diplomacy or in material help, at any stage in its conflict with African states or African liberation movements."
The Secretary of State ha earlier met the Rhodesian nationalist leader, Joshua Nkomo at the Intercontinental Hotel. It was Dr. Kissinger's first meeting with any of the nationalist leaders of the African National Council (ANC). Mr. Nkomo is head of the Rhodesian-based faction of the ANC.

Mr. Nkomo said a war situation existed in Rhodesia following the breakdown of constitutional talks. He said that his movement was not opposed to the whites remaining in Rhodesia but they firmly opposed a long transition period before majority-rule.

Dr. Kissinger's policy-statement on Rhodesia came as a shock for many at State House. After the Secretary of State had finished speaking the Zambian President, Kenneth Kaunda, stepped towards him and the two men hugged an embraced cheek to cheek.

President Kaunda had already spoken, but he went on to say "some of us were emotionally charged when you were speaking. We couldn't believe this was the secretary of State from Washington, D.C." He added that it marked an important turning point from the past.

Dr. Kissinger is on a two-week tour of Africa which e started on 23 April. Zambia was the third African state that he visited and he was due to on to Zaire.

This film is serviced with part of Dr. Kissinger's statement at State House. A full transcript appears below.