RHODESIA HOUSE; RHODESIAN FLAG; NOTICE OF CLOSURE; STAFF PUTTING PAPERS INTO CAR; CROWD OUTSIDE RHODESIA HOUSE; FLAG BEING LOWERED, CAMERAMAN; STAFF DOORS CLOSED.




Initials JH/V/PN/OS



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Background: THE FLAG OVER RHODESIA HOUSE IN LONDON WAS LOWERED TODAY (MONDAY), MARKING THE END OF THE COUNTRY'S FINAL LINKS WITH BRITAIN. THE GREEN-AND-WHITE RHODESIAN FLAG OVER THE BUILDING, IN THE STRAND NEAR TRAFALGAR SQUARE, WAS LOWERED AND FOLDED AWAY FOR THE LAST TIME.

TODAY'S ACTION WAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A BRITISH GOVERNMENT ORDER ISSUED LAST MONTH GIVING THE RESIDUAL RHODESIAN MISSION IN LONDON THREE WEEKS' NOTICE TO QUIT. THE ORDER CAME FOLLOWING THE SMITH GOVERNMENT REFERENDUM ENSURING CONTINUED WHITE DOMINATION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REPUBLIC.

HEAVY BROWN CURTAINS BLOTTED OUT THE WINDOWS TO BYSTANDERS AND PRESSMEN AS THE 24-STRONG STAFF HEADED BY MR. SYDNEY BRICE WORKED THEIR LAST DAY. FROM TIME TO TIME, OFFICIAL PAPERS WERE BROUGHT OUT OF THE BUILDING AND PLACED INTO WAITING CARS.

A PRIVATE RHODESIAN PENSIONS AGENCY WILL HANDLE PAYMENT OF PENSIONS AND GRANTS, AND A CARETAKER PAID FOR BY SALISBURY WILL LOOK AFTER THE MISSION ON A CARE AND MAINTENANCE BASIS.

MR. BRICE LATER SAID THAT ONLY AN INSENSITIVE PERSON COULD FAIL TO FEEL A SENSE OF SADNESS AT THE CLOSING OF SUCH A LONG-ESTABLISHED MISSION. HE IS TO SAIL FOR SOUTH AFRICA ON AUGUST 8.

BRITAIN'S CHIEF OF MISSION IN RHODESIA, MR. PETER CARTER, HAS ALREADY LEFT SALISBURY WITH HIS SENIOR OFFICIALS.