the Smith regime.
IN AFRICA A desperate scramble is taking place in southern Africa today in an attempt to safeguard imperialist profits and influence through a neo-colonial solu tion for Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) and Namibia. The defeat of imperialism in Angola has set off a series of political and social crises that now begin to threaten the stability of the heart of imperialist exploitation - South Africa - and bring to the fore the need to extract that thorn in their side, The two year 'decolonising' plan proposed by Callaghan and endorsed by Kissinger has been suicidally rejected by Smith, who has instead embarked on a project of bringing into the government tribal chiefs long ago bought out by the regime, This policy has been rejected by even the most right-wing of the nationalist leaders, such as Joshua Nkomo. The continued intransigence of Smith therefore threatens to lead to a situation of mass mobilisation against the regime — a situation that could very soon go beyond the control of the 'reformist' leaders and take on a clear anti-imperialist dynamic. As Angola showed, the impact of such a dynamic would not limit itself to the boundaries of Zimbabwe, but would rapidly light the powderkeg of South Africa itself.
Essentially motivated by the need to protect the very high rates of profit from South Africa, and acutely aware of the potential of the present political situation in southern Africa, US secretary of state Kissinger last week went on a new globe-trotting mission on behalf of the international neo-colonial regimes, and was notably generous with hand-outs in return: Kenya received $17 million, while Mozambique gained $12.5 million for closing its borders with Rhodesia. Other 'neighbours' were also promised Kissinger repeatedly stated that the US would support all moves to wards removing the Smith regime by any means....except force! The US will cut off all imports of chrome from Rhodesia — a major factor in allow ing the Smith regime to survive the UN sanctions. The final part of Kissin ger's message dealt with the need to begin a policy of liberalisation' in South Africa, together with a call for the incorporation of SWAPO (South West African People's Organisation) into the 'negotiations' for an indepenBut the situation is too rife with contradictions to be easily balked by the policies of Kissinger. An increasing number of skirmishes by the guerillas along the border, and strategie attacks along major transport routes, along with the gradual move of the 'reformist' ANC (African National Council) unde pressure from its base towards support for the armed struggle, all contribute towards increasing the demoralisation amongst the reactionary whites and Rhodesian armed forees South Africa is also experiencing growing internal problems. With inflation running at an annual rate of 15 per cent, and fuelled by a vast increase in defence expenditure (40 per cent), there has been increasing unrest amongst the black population. actions — notably the Newcastle bus strike last year and a number of other strikes since then. The impact of the Angolan revolution has led to a further growth of confidence in the masses, forcing even collaborationist black leaders like Chief Gatsha Buthlezi to make speeches about 'majority rule'.
Pressure on Smith
Kissinger's backing for Callaghan's policies may however have come too late for the international bourgeoisie. ment which allows the US to buy Rhodesian chrome would have a drastic effect in applying pressure on the Smith regime. likely to take several months, and much may have happened by then Despite all his previous hot air over the involvement of Cuban troops in Angola and aid from the Soviet Union, Kissinger is now singularly silent on this issue. Not surprisingly! Whereas im Angola it suited the book of the Soviet bureaucracy to give support to the anti-imperialist struggle led by the MPLA, in Zimbabwe they have once again put themselves on record in favour of a neo-colonial solution. Thus Gromyko stated on his recent visit to London that the USSR wanted a peaceful solution in Zimbabwe; thus the Soviet bureaucracy supports the Nkomo faction of the ANC, which until very recently was in favour of negotiations with Smith and now receives the favours of Kissinger.
The Communist Party in Britain, in line with the Soviet bureaucracy, has simply mouthed its support for 'liberation movements' and for 'maj ority rule settlements' in Zimbabwe. Without making it clear that it is the Kissinger made his trip to gain the support of the various This has been reflected in a series of militant Certainly, repealing the Byrd amendBut its implementation is British socialists