This brief report is a version of an interview with the Director of the Institute, Mr. John Barratt, which appeared in Die Vaderland on 33 February 1980. Mr Barratt answered questions on the following subjects:
• Whether the election in Rhodesia can have meaningful results.
• Whether Mugabe’s forces will accept a victory of his opponents.
• Whether a difficulty with the Rhodesian elections is the fact that the British cannot control the country.
• How various possible future Zimbabwe governments would govern the country.
• How these possible governments affect relations with South Africa.
Apart from the problems and opportunities of a government formed after the elections, the most dangerous situation will be where no effective government can be formed and fighting escalates. In such circumstances, it is difficult to speculate on the implications for South Africa.
