The Prime Minister issued a statement tonight on the British Government's position in the Lancaster House talks on the future of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia. Mrs Thatcher said the talks had reached a critical point—they were within an ace of success. But Britain did not want the achievements so far to be jeopardised by what she called “ill-judged actions or decisions” or by delaying the final phase of the talks on ceasefire arrangements. Outlining Britain's proposals for a ceasefire in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, Mrs Thatcher said that if they were accepted, she envisaged a cessation of hostilities within the next few days. The Government hoped that the representatives of the Patriotic Front and the Salisbury Regime would now take the decisions which would make it possible to put these proposals into effect. There would be serious dangers in any further delay.
Speeches, etc.