MR BOTTOMLEY AND LORD GARDINER LEAVING THE PLANE BEING GREETED BY THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER.




Initials DE/V/JH/ES



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Background: A WARM WELCOME AWAITED MR ARTHUR BOTTOMLEY, THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY, WHEN HE ARRIVED IN SALISBURY, RHODESIA YESTERDAY (SUNDAY). SEVERAL THOUSAND AFRICANS CHEERED LOUDLY AS HE STEPPED FROM HIS PLANE. MR BOTTOMLEY IS ACCOMPANIED BY LORD GARDINER, THE BRITISH LORD CHANCELLOR.

MR BOTTOMLEY AND LORD GARDINER WERE GREETED AT THE AIRPORT BY MR. J.B. JOHNSTON, THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER IN RHODESIA.

THE VISIT TO RHODESIA IS FOR TALKS AIMED AT BREAKING THE DEADLOCK OVER RHODESIA'S FUTURE INDEPENDENCE. MR BOTTOMLEY TOLD REPORTERS ON ARRIVAL THAT HE WOULD MEET THE PRIME MINISTER, MR IAN SMITH AND HIS MINISTERS, AND WOULD ALSO SEE MR JOSHUA NKOMO, THE RESTRICTED LEADER OF THE BANNED PEOPLE'S CARETAKER COUNCIL AT PRESENT IN GONAKUDSINGWA, AND SUPPORTERS OF THE REVEREND SITHOLE, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE RIVAL BANNED ZIMBABWE AFRICAN NATIONAL UNION.

THE MAIN DISCUSSIONS DURING THE MINISTER'S VISIT WILL CENTRE ON THE DEMAND BY MR SMITH'S RHODESIAN FRONT GOVERNMENT FOR IMMEDIATE INDEPENDENCE FOR THE COLONY ON THE BASIS OF THE PRESENT CONSTITUTION.