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CU: ZAPU Acting President J.M. Chinamano speaking. (Six overlaid shots begin at 31ft/9.4 metres/50 secs GV Chinamano speaking; SV Pressmen listening; GV news cameras and personnel; LV REAR group of listening pressmen; GV Africans listening; ZAPU official listening.)
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CU: Chinamano continues speech.
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Mr Chinamano said a settlement containing genuine independence for blacks could not be achieved this year because the country would need time to prepare for 'free and fair' elections.



CHINAMANO: "The act of muzzling up shows political desperation the part of the so-called Interim Government. It does not achieve anything for the country. It does not end the problem facing the country; it, in fact, aggravates it. No problem, let alone a war problem, can be solved by digging the head in the sand, ostrich-style, and refusing to see it. The problem does not cease to exist because the interim regime has refused to see it. Ours is the voice of reason, and only harm can befall the country by silencing the voice of reason. The people are entitled to hear all sides of the question, and to silence us is to deprive them of their right to know all shades of opinion so that they can made an intelligent judgement and assessment of the issues facing their country.



Doing so is irresponsible because it is an act of building a fool's paradise for the people, and asking them to live in it. The country is fast moving down the precipice and no amount of scapegoating can halt the drift to Destination Catastrophe. The only salvation for the country lies in an all-party conference."




Initials RH/1645



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Background: In Rhodesia, the Patriotic Front spokesman, Josiah chinamano, on Tuesday (29 August) attacked the news blackout that the interim government had imposed the day before on the Front, its leaders and spokesmen. Mr Chinamano told a press conference at Highfield township in Salisbury that the only salvation for the country was an all-party conference. Even if such a conference came about, and it was successful, African majority rule could not be achieved in Rhodesia this year. The transitional government has promised majority rule on 31 December.