Minneapolis spokesman., 1963-09-19
Central African
Federation Breolxups
Vindicufed Blocks
By William A. Payne and
David A. Talbot

C1on OF the central Afrucan FEEDER
alton ended with a decision that
the 10-year experiment - from
the outset, denounced by Africans
should be dissolved on December
1 this year. Thus, in about two
months from now, the people Of
Central Africa and their leaders
will be vindicated.
Within the last year or so, it
was evident that this moment was
imminent. The battle waged by
Sir Roy Welensky, erstwhile prem
Ter Of the federation, to save it
reads like a tragedy. For the Afri-
cans except for the indecisive
fate Of Southern Rhodesia - 1t
has proved to be a drama with a
happy ending.
Therefore, the Victoria Falls
conference will be ascribed a place
as one Of the land marks in Afri-
can history where the win of
the African people, expressed so
well through the Northern Rhod-
esian delegation, trdumphed after
10 years Of negatdon.
Despite all the premonitions Of
fireworks and the fears Of failure,
the Victoria Falls conference was
a peaceful affair. Even the terri
ble-tempered Welensl1y conducted
himself with the dignity that his
office called for. He did this al
though, as he said later, 1.-The con-
ference has not, despite the gen.
orally cooperative atmosphere,
been a particularly happy expert
ence for any of those on the Fed
eral team, least of all for my
SELF"
However, the conference happi-
ness may change when the real
task of dismantling the Federation
takes place. 1t is in the hands of
two post-conference committees
working groups-to settle the
most thorny problems Of this po-
htical and economic divorce. The
problems are: Federal Public Serv-
ice, ALLEGATION of assets and habil-
tiles, including the public debt;
future inter-territortal collabora-
ton Central African airways,
railroads, Kariba dam, the none
tary system; federal citizenship,
transfer of taxation functions to
territorial governments; and re-
placement Of the federal Supreme
court by an Appeals court.
Easily these problems are the
CUTS of final and official dissolu-
ton of the Central African Fedora
ton. One can see why African
nationalists, who have learned not
to trust Europeans in the Fedora
ton, are apprehensive about the
solution to these problems by the
end of the year.
Taking the dismanthng of the
Federation in proper perspective
until the fate of Southern Rhodesia
is settled - the problem can not
be considered resolved. 1t is no
secret that the white-ruled Sails
bury could now become the catch
ment for those elements that still
worship the idol of settler domin-
alton in that area.
Neither can one expect that the
struggle is ended. To believe other
wise would be to court undue cred
ulity. The settler minority in the
now out-dated federation has fed
upon power for a long time, and
Southern Rhodesia represents more
than just a symbol Of this power
1t would not be surprising if a
desperate last stand were made to
rally opposition to black MAORI
ty government there.
Another problem Of supreme
concern to the African national
lists is the question Of the defense
forces. The African leaders wanted
the forces, including the Royal Air
Force which Is a formidable jet
equipped outfit, to be divided
equally between the three terrftor-
les. They look with some appre-
hension at the Royal Rhodesian
Air Force reverting completely to
the control Of the Southern Rho
desians who have made 1t plain
that they will defend "by all pos
sible means" their government
from attack. With the Adds Ababa
resolutions calling for all liberated
Africa to serve as base for over
throwing the settlers of Southern
Rhodesia, the Northern Rhodesians
and the Nyasalanders are terribly
vulnerable before the armed forces
Of Southern Rhodesia.
The number one politician to
come out of the Victoria Falls con-
ference was the leader of the
Northern Rhodesia's United Ma
tional Independence Party (UNIP)
Kenneth Kaunda. Although he was
attacked by his colleague Harry
Nl1umbula for being Nyasa and
not a Northern Rhodesian, Kaunda
stood head and shoulders above
the crowd. He carried the ball for
the Northern Rhodesians, the boy
cotting Nyasalanders - DR.. Banda
refused to come to the conference
and for the Africans of Southern
Rhodesia. He dramatically called
upon Winston Field to open talks
ON the situation in Southern Rhod-
esia. He met publicly and privately