Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XVI, Southern Africa

225. Letter From Representative Thomas Downey to President Carter¹

Washington, March 5, 1979

Dear Mr. President:

As Members of Congress who are strongly concerned about United States policy toward southern Africa, we are writing to express our opposition to the Concurrent Resolution sponsored by Senators McGovern and Hayakawa² which proposes sending American observers to the April elections in Rhodesia.

Our opposition to this proposal is based upon close study and lengthy discussion of this issue, and our decision to oppose the McGovern/Hayakawa Resolution has not been taken lightly. Though the entire Rhodesian question is extremely complex and fraught with nuances, we feel that the basis for our strong objection to the presence of official American observers at the proposed elections in Rhodesia is clear and basic to the entire case in question. Our reasoning is as follows:

1. The constitution which is the basis for the holding of elections in April is an illegitimate document. Not only have the potential Black voters had no voice in the recently held Whites-only referendum,³ the constitution approved by that referendum has obvious racially motivated imbalances built into the legislative and judicial system it would establish.⁴

2. For the United States to send official observers to monitor the elections sanctioned by this illegitimate and racially biased document would be construed by the world, and particularly by other African nations, as a recognition by the United States of the legitimacy of the present regime in Rhodesia as well as the government emerging from those elections.

3. This tacit acceptance by the United States of the internal settlement would be believed by the world at large despite any conditional language which may be included in the McGovern/Hayakawa Resolution.

4. The presence of American observers and the appearance of American acceptance would surely be used to full effect by supporters of a racially imbalanced society in Rhodesia, in much the same way that Ian Smith’s visit to the United States last year⁵ was publicized as a diplomatic victory for Smith’s policies. The conditions and justifications for his visit were quickly forgotten, but his presence in Washington is well remembered.

5. There is a clear danger of entrapment for U.S. policy in becoming identified with the inherently unstable regime whic is likely to emerge from the April elections in Rhodesia. The American position must be carefully considered in the event that the often projected scenario of civil war in Rhodesia among rival power groups in that country should occur.

6. American policy must also take into consideration the relationship this country desires for the future with Black African nations and with the future government of Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. Our official actions at this time will have a profound effect on those future relationships.

For all the above reasons we urge you not to accept any plan for sending official American observers to the April elections in Rhodesia.⁶ Furthermore, we urge you to ensure that the United States Department of State takes and maintains a clear and unequivocal position not only on the observer issue, but on American policy in southern Africa in general. We feel that it is essential for the moral prestige and public image of America, as well as being in our national interest, that the United States present to the world a positive and undeniably consistent African policy.

Thank you for taking into consideration our carefully considered views on this serious issue.

Sincerely,

• Thomas J. Downey
  Member of Congress
• Cardiss Collins
  Member of Congress
• Anthony Toby Moffett
  Member of Congress
• Ronald Dellums
  Member of Congress
• Andrew Maguire
  Member of Congress
• Senator Paul Tsongas
• Pete Stark
  Member of Congress
• George Miller
  Member of Congress

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Council, Institutional Files, Box 186, PRC 100 Rhodesia, 4/5/79. Unclassified.
2. Reference is to Senate Concurrent Resolution 8 which was introduced on March 1 and sought to provide impartial observers of the Rhodesian election.
3. January 30.
4. The constitution retained white leadership in the military, police, judiciary, and civil services. For its provisions, see Keesing’s Contemporary Archives, 1979, pp. 29578–29579.
5. October 7–20, 1978.
6. See Document 227.