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Q. Is it possible to move toward black rule without the participation of the Patriotic Front, the guerrilla organization now backed by most African states?
A. Yes, I honestly think so, because we know that the Patriotic Front represents such a small minority of black opinion in Rhodesia. If we can arrive at a settlement that is in keeping with the wishes of the black majority, how can any fair-minded person or any country that believes in the democratic system deny us the right to proceed in this manner?
Q. Do you regard Communist intervention in Rhodesia as a serious threat?
A. We are very concerned. I don't think there is any doubt that the Communist objective is to try to gain control of the whole of southern Africa. We must try to resist this.
Q. What sort of race relations would Rhodesia have under a multiracial government?
A. I believe that if the rest of the world would only leave us alone, give us a fair chance, then we would solve our problems quickly, and I believe we would establish a country and a society where you would find blacks and whites working together to their mutual benefit. I think we have a chance of creating something unique on the African continent.
Q. Are you prepared to abolish discrimination against blacks?
A. There is still some racial discrimination that we believe it is necessary to remove, but I make this point to you: discrimination has been part of the Rhodesian scene as long as Rhodesia has been here, [even] under the British. We are keen to get together with our black leaders so that we can ensure that we solve these problems in the best possible way.
Q. What is the state of the guerrilla war today?
A. Terrorism has spread, but we are managing to hold our position against the terrorists. The security forces may never win outright, but it also seems as though the terrorists can never win outright. If we succeed in achieving an internal political settlement, the war will be won and terrorism will be beaten finally and irrevocably in Rhodesia.
Q. How do you feel now about the unilateral declaration of independence that you declared in 1965?
A. There are no regrets. We have had twelve of the best years of our lives —great years, stimulating years, in which we have created a small nation with great national pride. We have had economic development such as we never had before. Whatever happens in the future, Rhodesia will benefit from the years we have been through.