Ex-Rhodesia leader Ian Smith dies

BBC ^ | 11/20/07

[Borges]

The former prime minister of Rhodesia, Ian Smith, has died aged 88.

The cause of his death is unknown but he had been ill for some time at a residential home in South Africa.

He illegally declared independence from Britain in 1965 and his white minority government led the country for 14 years amid international scorn and sanctions.

Following a bitter bush war with black nationalists, his government was overthrown by Robert Mugabe in 1979, leading to the creation of Zimbabwe.

Speaking to the BBC in 1998 about his assumption of power, Mr Smith was adamant it was justified.

"There was good reason for what we did. We set up a committee of top civil servants and ministers on three different occasions to look at this and every time they came back and said we had no option.

"Had we not resorted to this the country would have degenerated into chaos and confusion," he said.

Years of civil war followed the declaration of independence. Mr Smith denied this was caused by the actions of his regime.

"The civil war was caused by people who left our country and were brainwashed in Russia, in China.

"They were power hungry people who wanted to take their country over immediately and were not prepared to wait for the evolutionary process."

[Badeye]

“Had we not resorted to this the country would have degenerated into chaos and confusion,” he said.

Where it is today.

[stephenjohnbanker]

BUMP

[NormsRevenge]

They don’t call it the Dark Continent for nothing.

RIP Mr. Smith

[goldstategop]

Exactly. The entire responsibility for the present Zimbabwean disaster rests upon the British government which put anti-colonialist ideology ahead of concern for the Africans' lives.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Badeye]

I’d say thats a fair assessment.

[Anti-Bubba182]

Ian Smith looks great compared to Robert Mugabe.

[Rummyfan]

And of course Rhodesia - sorry, Zimbabwe - is so much better off today under Mugabe....

[PAR35]

his government was overthrown by Robert Mugabe in 1979, leading to the creation of Zimbabwe.

Inaccurate historic revisionism (also known as a lie.) BBC used to have a reputation for some level of integrity.

For those that don't remember the history, Smith was succeeded by black Methodist Bishop Abel Muzorewa. Rhodesia then returned to colonial status under British rule. Mugabe won the British sponsored election, and the country was turned over to the terrorists by the British colonial masters.

So the statement that Mugabe overthrew Smith's government is a blatant falsehood.

[NonValueAdded]

Yes, it is in chaos and confusion, but not because of Smith. If anything, he held it off for a while, but was unable to hold back that ocean.

[goldstategop]

Yes, the BBC gets away with this distortion of history because the Rhodesians remember the events that led to UDI in 1965 very differently from the British government of the day. The British wanted power transferred to the Africans regardless of whether they were ready for the responsibility or not. In the end, the British did succeed in getting it transferred to radical African Marxists. One would think they have some repentance in Whitehall. Even now they give people a totally manufactured version of history since no one is around to dispute it.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Recon Dad]

I will bet there a lot of folks, both Black and White in Zimbabwe who would have sent him a ticket to return a long time ago.

[Glennb51]

I have a friend that was a Selous Scout who fought against the Marxist terrorists. If you want an accurate history, read Ron Reid Daly’s book “Selous Scouts: top secret war” or
“Pamwe Chete”. the truth is out there.

[Freedom4US]

Even now they give people a totally manufactured version of history since no one is around to dispute it.

As a complete aside, this is why facts, figures and "rote learning" has been expunged or de-emphasized in this country as part of early schooling. Stupid, unlearned people are far easier to corral. It's akin to loading up a hard-drive with files first, and operating system second, but it works well with people. Or did.

[rabscuttle385]

He illegally declared independence from Britain in 1965 and his white minority government led the country for 14 years amid international scorn and sanctions.

I bet they actually had bread on the grocery store shelves then.

You can't say the same about Mugabe, who turned Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) into a hellhole.

[fishhound]

BBC Obituary.
He had been a pilot.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1136865.stm

[353FMG]

“Following a bitter bush war with black nationalists, his government was overthrown by Robert Mugabe in 1979, leading to the creation of Zimbabwe.”

The question is whether the people of Zimbabwe are better off now under Mugabe or were, in the past, under Smith. I don’t remember hearing of a famine while the latter was in power, nor do I remember hearing of citizens leaving their country in droves. Good riddance of Smith.

[puroresu]

As always, any problems in Africa are blamed on the “legacy of colonialism” or the “legacy of apartheid”. As if there would be a single electric lightbulb south of the Sahara if it weren’t for foreign intervention.

[Does so]

I did my best to help.

While Big Media was selling Smith short, I was buying 1-ounce gold Kruggerands—and it was an excellent time to buy Kruggerands or any gold!

[archy]

Rise, O voices of Rhodesia,
God may we thy bounty share,
Give us strength to face all danger and,
Where challenge is, to dare.

Guide us, Lord, to wise decision,
Ever of thy grace aware,
Oh, let our hearts beat bravely always,
For this land within thy care.

Rise, O voices of Rhodesia,
Bringing her your proud acclaim,
Grandly echoing through the mountains,
Rolling over far flung plain.

Roaring in the mighty rivers,
Joining in one grand refrain,
Ascending to the sunlit heavens,
Telling of her honoured name.