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Q .
Mr.
Smith, having unilaterally
declared independence, you subse–
quently found Rhodesia econornically
squeezed by sanctions. Are these sanc–
tions working?
A.
I don't believe they are achieving
the purpose they were intended to
achieve, but we don't deny that certain
aspects of our economy have been hurt
by sanctions. The overall picture, how–
ever, is that Rhodesia has strengthened
itself tremendously because of sanctions.
Not only from a political point of view
have we come together and formed a
strong, young, virile nation, but indus–
trially and economically we have devel–
oped as much, I would say, in the last
fi.ve years as we would l1ave done in
double that tjme under normal circum–
stances. This is really what sanctions
have done. They have stimulated the
Rhodesians and we have managed to
come up to the scratch and give of our
best.
Q.
Do you feel tbat the sanctions
are in any way hurting or afflicting
certain segments of your economy?
A.
Yes, we don't deny that there are
certain sections which have been hurt.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
With
IAN SMITH
Prime Minister ofRhodesia
PLAIN TRUTH magazine stall writers and Executive Editor
Garner Ted Armstrong recently flew to Rhodesia. While in
Salisbury he interviewed Prime Minister Smith. In the lollow–
ing interview
are
lan Smith's answers to vital questions
regarding the ellectiveness ol trade sanctions against
Rhodesia and the
current
economic situation within his
nation. He discusses present and luture policies regarding
Rhodesia's block majority and her relations with Block
A frica .
The dassical example is our tobacco
industry. But in spite of sanctions it is
surviving. In fact, it is beginning to pick
up now. And after we return to nor–
mality
1
believe that our tobacco in–
dustry will be far healthier, far stronger
than it was before.
Q.
Are you finding outlets for your
tobacco industry and other cash
crops?
A.
Yes, but not as many as we would
wish to, and we do still have a tobacco
stockpile. I think I can tell you that in
recent years we have actually been sell–
ing as much as we have produced.
In
fact, a little bit more.
Q,
The Constitution which was
adopted
in
1969
is viewed by the
Black African Bloc in the
U.
N .
as
highly suppressive of the black man
in Rhodesia. Wbat is your response to
tbis?
A.
Well, of course, this cannot be
substantiated at all. There is nothing
suppressive about it. All we have done
is to insist on certain quaüfications. We
say let merit be the criterion, and this
is nothing new in this country. We
have always had standards which we
believe people should achieve before
they participate in government. After
all, government is supposed to be re–
sponsible and we believe that people
should qualify and show a certain de–
gree of responsibility, a certain degree
of civi lization befare we allow them to
take part in government. And I would
go so far as to say that I think many
other countries jo the world would be
a lot better off if they did likewise.
Q.
By what process does the black
man become educated and find an
opportunity for governmental repre–
sentation?
A.
Well, there are certain qualifica–
tioos laid down which involve a mini–
mal educational qualification; also there
is a financia! and earning qualificatioo.
And it does so happen that as far as
the black man is concerned the qualifi–
cations for him are far less than they
are for the white man. To that extent
we have bent over to try to assist him,
realizing that as far as civjlization is
concerned he
is
a long way behind us.
I
trunk
few people realize that at the