IAN SMITH TALKS ABOUT PRESIDENT ROBERT MUGABE

(26 Oct 2000) English/Nat
XFA
With the opposition trying to impeach him and his popularity at an all-time low, President Robert Mugabe has lashed out at Zimbabwe's white minority, threatening genocide trials for all who fought against him in the independence war.
Mugabe told supporters on Wednesday that Ian Smith, the white leader he helped overthrow two decades ago, and all whites who fought against black guerrillas would face trials for war crimes.
Speaking as he arrived for a debate in Oxford on Thursday, Ian Smith responded to these latest threats, saying Mugabe's actions belonged to a man clinging onto the last vestiges of power.
He challenged Mugabe to set up a truth and reconciliation committee, saying that he had nothing to fear.
Arriving at Oxford Union Thursday night, the former white leader of the former British colony of Rhodesia, Ian Smith laughed off President Mugabe's latest threat to put him on the stand.
Mugabe is calling for all whites who fought against black guerrillas to face trials for war crimes.
Mugabe has said the nation's 70,000 whites - less than 1 percent of the population of 13 million - mostly opposed his government and had spurned offers of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Smith rejected Mugabe threat, saying that the blame for the violence lay squarely on Mugabe's shoulders.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well he is the one who should be put on trial for genocide isn't he, Mugabe -- not Smith."
SUPER CAPTION: Ian Smith, former Rhodesian Prime Minister
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well because he killed so many people, massacred them by the thousands, I mean Gurugundi and Matabeleland land, when he massacred 30,000 Matabeleles, I never remember massacring a single person in my life."
SUPERCAPTION: Ian Smith, former Rhodesian Prime Minister
Smith said Mugabe's belligerent style of government had forced him into a corner - one which had made him desperate and dangerous.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"He is in a state of panic, he doesn't know whether he is coming or going, he is like a wounded animal in a corner, dangerous and unpredictable. So I don't know what to say or what to think, it is difficult."
SUPERCAPTION: Ian Smith, former Rhodesian Prime Minister
When asked if he feared a trial, Smith openly challenged Mugabe to carry out his threats, saying he had nothing to fear.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"No I would love it, let's get the truth, when your conscience is clear you have got no problem, have you?"
SUPERCAPTION: Ian Smith, former Rhodesian Prime Minister
However, when questioned if he felt any responsibility for the current state of the economy in Zimbabwe, Smith said the blacks had actually benefitted under British rule.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Certainly not, the black community will tell you they lived better under Smith than under Mugabe, they were brain washed by a communist propaganda machine into believing that things were going to improve, sadly they were taken for a ride."
SUPERCAPTION: Ian Smith, former Rhodesian Prime Minister
He said that the only way to establish the truth of Mugabe's accusations was to follow in the footsteps of South Africa's truth and reconciliation commission.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
I've challenged Mugabe to set up a commission of truth and reconciliation similar to the one they had in South Africa. My word I think that would frighten him if he had to face up to that thing, I would welcome it."
SUPERCAPTION: Ian Smith, former Rhodesian Prime Minister

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