Sanctions: Time running out for Britain

The Herald, November 3, 1979 LONDON. — The British Government is almost bound to announce a decision on the future of Zimbabwe Rhodesian sanctions by next Thursday when it sets out parliamentary business for the week ahead.

Unless a vote is taken in the week beginning November 12 at the latest, the sanctions enforced under the 1965

Act will expire at midnight on Thursday, November 15.

This means that if the Government wishes to renew sanctions it will have to make time for a debate when drawing up the parliamentary timetable for the week ahead, reports The Herald’s London Bureau.

Technically, time could be made for such a debate at the last minute, but failure to make some statement about the future of sanctions by next Thursday would be bound to provoke criticism from the Commons.

Right-wingers in the Conservative Party are increasingly optimistic that the Government will in fact not try to renew the order.

Even if the order is not renewed, many sanctions, including a ban against the supply of weapons, would remain.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

◆ Sanctions are very hurtful and will eventually run their course especially when pressure comes to bear as the case with the embargo placed on the country by the United States and its Western allies. ◆ The British have always had an affinity to control and use unorthodox means to stamp their authority especially on nations they perceive as their subjects. ◆ The British were reluctant to let Zimbabwe go to the extent that they were prepared to take their chances even when the time for removing sanctions on the country was running out.

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