geneva conference geneva conference october december took place geneva switzerland bush war held british participants government led number rival black nationalist parties led led joint patriotic african people union led purpose conference attempt agree new constitution find way end bush war raging government commanded respectively geneva conference origins south african policy instituted late directly peace initiative headed united_states secretary state earlier plan rejected nationalists talks organised geneva britain try salvage deal proceedings began october days schedule chaired british offended conference started richard read opening statement british prime minister referred country nationalists somewhat smith team insulted little progress sides discussions causing conference indefinitely december background following dispute terms granting predominantly white minority government headed prime minister declared independence britain november british prime minister insisting immediate transfer majority rule independence declaration went caused britain united_nations impose economic sanctions prominent black nationalist parties predominantly movement influenced chinese african people union military wing received considerable backing training finances allies warsaw pact associated nations prominently cuba gave similar support headed existence reverend founded initially led rival nationalist movements launched called second government security forces mid-1960s army air force police successfully repulsed numerous guerrilla incursions rest decade abortive talks smith wilson constitution agreed british governments november british test public opinion undertaken early black opinion judged new deal causing shelved bush war suddenly erupted december years relative inactivity attacked farms north eastern successful security force counter campaign drastic changes foreign policy government main portugal south_africa caused conflict momentum shift nationalists favour april portuguese government overthrown military coup replaced leftist administration favour ending unpopular colonial war portugal african territories institution initiative late forced june independent portugal communist government allied unsuccessful rounds talks held government nationalists united banner august directly government starting december time replaced leader winning internal leadership election refused recognise guerrilla incursions picked strongly months leading smith declare evening february new terrorist offensive begun defeat face heavier military commitments security force reports indicated fighters active states readiness prelude initiative united_states secretary state announced formal interest situation february spent rest year holding discussions british south african governments produce mutually satisfactory proposal plan eventually presented transition period years majority rule began time interim government control specially convened council state whites blacks white chairman drew new constitution constitution result majority rule end year interim period plan supported presidents respectively south african prime minister said guaranteed acceptance black nationalists reply smith ventured said thing victoria falls talks agreed talks allowed nationalists seek smith met september discuss terms american diplomat told prime minister obliged participation termed demise great life encouraged smith strongly accept deal placed table knew future offer worse western opinion soft warned projected american president lost year presidential election session including smith began smith relayed concern acceptance perceived electorate selling cause mass exodus skilled workers investment turn severely damage country economy requested break session took smith team private room accompanied south african foreign minister privately informed smith longer viable south_africa support financially militarily smith mind quickly announce acceptance evening ultimatum deeply shocked team smith ministers unable contain anger south african prime minister leading rise seat word leave room summoned main lounge insisted prime minister sit accepting deal worse acting like gentleman american later said opened discussion announcing applied pressure delegates caused difficulty suppressing agreed return salisbury consult cabinet announce answer despite expressing happened showing deep reluctance politicians salisbury resolved despite perceived south african responsible course action peace process meant accepting terms agreed better future refuse smith announced government answer evening september yes south_africa financial military assistance suddenly available abruptly changed turned terms saying interim period majority rule unacceptable new constitutional conference geneva switzerland hastily organised britain try salvage wreckage october set start date geneva conference announced october attend conference joint patriotic including members parties combined leadership welcomed new negotiations soviet_union proposing alter line talks delayed indefinitely attempt encourage parties travel switzerland british asked delegation arrival leaving salisbury october richard arrive days later arriving conference heat unprepared swiss winter example felt cold turned heating room including maximum went sleep room caught fire forced jump balcony arranging conference proved struggle taking exception served cards october denoting smith delegation happened previous conferences correspondence altered cards effect confronted richard causing shock conference eventually arranged commence october short notice british delayed start hours patriotic delegates questioning role chairman threatening attend richard hoped talk extra time parties finally met hours later planned sat opposite smith leader nationalist delegates seats directly marked respectively refused attend opening meeting despite richard read opening statement british prime minister nationalists delight government referred country proceedings start day morning october spoke turn giving emotionally charged speeches sacrifices white governments poor black people comment relevant new constitution told story life king tones directly relevant nationalist contribution day saying simply hoped sides come agreement days break agreed constitutional lawyers drew plan based delegates discuss american election result came morning november expected carter won geneva soon clear wished stick plan agreed nationalists intention terms starting point negotiation continually interrupted lawyers work new demands meaning november practically progress meeting organised day november chaotic led nationalists taking turns long irrelevant speeches attempted richard return subject new constitution smith earlier supported richard face nationalists criticism frustrated richard refusal firm restore order proceedings discussions continued month arriving late meetings minister confronted demanded apology leader enraged foul bloody fool abandonment finally december british foreign minister announced conference patriotic said return geneva talks immediate black rule subject discussion apparently believing british secretly working prevent laid pre conditions new conference situation war situation patriotic british british government extension agenda item transfer power minority majority means constitution based universal adult suffrage item days
Geneva Conference (1976)