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The Herald, December 6, 1979 

BASIC agreement on a ceasefire in the seven-year-old Zimbabwe Rhodesian bush war, in which more than 20 000 have lost their lives, was reached here last night.

The British Foreign Secretary, Lord Carrington, confidently predicted a final settlement within three days.

The formal announcement of the accepting of Britain’s ceasefire proposals was made by the Patriotic Front co-leader, Mr Robert Mugabe, in a full session in Lancaster House conference called after he and Mr Joshua Nkomo had met Lord Carrington for 75 minutes yesterday afternoon.

The breakthrough at the conference – in its 86th day – was achieved by a British assurance that there would be no external forces – including South Africans – in Zimbabwe Rhodesia during the ceasefire, and by shifting a major problem area, the disposition of forces, into the final stage of discussions about implementation of a ceasefire.

Several days of tough negotiations are now expected between the military leaders of the Zimbabwe Rhodesia security forces and the Patriotic Front.

No time has been fixed for today’s meeting at which Zimbabwe Rhodesia’s military supremo, Lieut-General Peter Walls, and Mr Josiah Tongogara for the Patriotic Front are expected to face each other across the conference table for the first time.

After accepting the ceasefire terms in principle, Mr Mugabe said: “We now feel that the British proposals for a ceasefire form the basis for an agreement.”

Lord Carrington immediately responded: “Mr Mugabe, that is indeed very good news. Thank you for your acceptance of our proposals.”

The British Foreign Secretary added: “We have reached the very last stage in these negotiations and it is essential to complete them very quickly indeed. With the goodwill that now exists, and with very hard work, I’m sure we can do it in two or three days.”

Lord Carrington warned the House of lords that unless agreement was achieved very quickly “this whole ball of wool could unravel”.

Patriotic Front spokesmen warned after last night’s short plenary session that “there are still hazards ahead”.

Mr Eddison Zvobgo said the PF was still worried about the safety of its forces.

Lesson for today

When negotiating people may take time to reach an agreement, but more often than not they do come to a consensus. The talks at Lancaster House took over three months.

Compromises are essential in negotiations. They facilitate quick resolutions on sticky issues. The Patriotic Front only warmed up to the British proposal after it got the assurances that it required on certain aspects of the ceasefire.

When an agreement has been reached it is important to tie up any loose ends as quickly as possible to prevent a reversal of the gains.

This year marks 43 years since the signing of the Lancaster House agreement.