Effect of sanctions
Sir: Gordon Evans denounces Anthony Lejeune's article on Rhodesia and seeks to prove that sanctions cannot be beneficial to the recipient country. He is, however, mistaken in the case of Rhodesia. Here sanctions have forced us to develop new industries ana methods which previously there was no necessity to provide for ourselves. We previously imported a vast proportion of our requirements and only exported raw material. Today this has changed and we are the stronger for it.
Granted, the time has now come where a removal of sanctions would be beneficial to the economy since we now have a sound industrial basis upon which to expand and, in common with all other countries, we would welcome outside investment.
'Unfortunately you news media on the whole seek to convince the British people that Rhodesia is a lost cause. Our only answer can be 'Come and see'.
We certainly have our share of problems (but who has not, and Ireland is yours), but we also have a genuine desire to seek an equitable solution to our complicated troubles. Though we may have to enter into warfare temporarily, our final aim is still to reach an agreement with all the diverse sectors of this problem, but it must be understood that it must be an equitable agreement, and not a a one-sided sell-out as the governments of Britain and the US are attempting to force upon us simPlY because they cannot be bothered to study the facts from all sides. To these governments Rhodesia may seem expendable, but to us it is very close to our hearts. It is our home, our only home.
(Mrs) S. G. Bown 6 Cardinals Road, PO Chisipite, Salisbury, Rhodesia
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