took place august aboard south african railways train halfway border state today culmination policy introduced championed prime minister south_africa attempting improve relations states north west east helping produce settlement participants conference delegation led prime minister behalf government nationalist delegation attending banner conference incorporated delegates african people union president acted conference held border attempt provide venue sides accept neutral conference failed produce settlement breaking day began blaming unsuccessful outcome smith believed nationalists requesting talks previously agreed asking diplomatic immunity leaders fighters nationalists contended smith deliberately believe sincere seeking agreement adamant giving diplomatic immunity direct talks government african people union followed december failed produce significant progress initiative associated unsuccessful affect course bush war gave nationalist significant time following decisive security force counter campaign conference follow time geneva background wind change early 1960s british government predominantly white minority government self governing colony led prime minister unable agree terms independence declared independence november deemed illegal britain united_nations imposed 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 began called second government security forces based outside country sent groups regular intervals early incursions little success wilson smith held abortive talks aboard years later constitution agreed british governments november british public opinion early abandoned deal grounds perceived blacks bush war suddenly erupted years relative inactivity december attacked near centenary country north east security forces mounted strong counter campaign end reduced number active country period october november killed nationalist fighters previous years combined independence south african initiative effect security forces decisive counter campaign drastic changes situation relating government main portugal south_africa lisbon military coup april replaced right wing administration leftist government opposed unpopular colonial war portugal african territories following coup known revolution portuguese leadership withdrawn lisbon overseas territories immediate communist brief negotiations preceded country independence june took power election assumed presidency friendly government freely base support alliance existed late 1960s hand kilometres border defend rely south_africa imports second event surprising late government main ally south_africa adopted doctrine states attempt resolve situation south african prime minister negotiated deal president prevent guerrilla country return prime minister agree release political leaders attend conference united single banner led hoped successful states enter diplomatic relations south_africa allow retain pressure accept terms agreed december followed terms military actions temporarily halted troops ordered allow retreating leave withdrew members forward bases august pulled completely nationalists hand ignored agreed terms sudden cessation security force activity opportunity establish inside outside country guerrilla operations continued average incidents day reported inside following months far seen gesture potential reconciliation release nationalist leaders gave message rural population security forces defeated process victory unable totally situation internal conflict started earlier ordinary perceived members capital following luxurious lifestyle contrary party principles culminated rebellion november forcibly defence chief leaders imprisoned released december deal elected president incarcerated disputed founding leader reverend continued recognised states release moved consolidate supremacy prepared talks government delegation retained leadership eyes states late according terms agreed december talks government place event black nationalist leaders attend conference ground perceived neutral keen adhere accord meet venue effort sides relaxed terms sides instead meet aboard train provided south african government placed halfway border delegates seats nationalists opposite carriage able attend leaving policy act conference set august delegation led expected included representing vice president militant party according intelligence nationalist factions differences prepared accept leader end hoping conference failed produce agreement relayed concerns told firmly surely risk losing support president deliberately peace process persisted complaints citing evidence nationalist south eventually salisbury don like offering alternative going conference started morning august planned delegates took places nationalists entered crowded opposite cramped railway carriage arrived sat space spoke turn giving blessing negotiations opened proceedings smith invitation speaking bishop gave concessions given talks begin man vote established basic necessity second amnesty given guerrilla fighters including convicted murder high_court salisbury finally nationalists given permission return soon possible begin political campaigning smith replied assured agreed demand talks fact confirmed morning delegation surprised opening speech smith says reply provoked flood rhetoric nationalists evaded words gave passionate speeches suppressed people denied freedom country wanted return home live normal peaceful lives smith sat waited finish responded stopping going home time living peacefully wished situation hand said refused anglo accord agreed years previously said offered blacks franchise facilities chosen use unconstitutional means terrorism order overthrow legal government country delegates countered smith strongly repeating previous arguments rejecting right britain negotiate behalf argument went half hours conference broke smith refusing outright grant diplomatic immunity terrorist leaders bear responsibility murders atrocities said doubted smith sincerity seeking resolution unwilling grant small thing immunity nationalist leaders conference broke agreement progress having aftermath direct talks government salisbury failure talks falls facade united nationalists broken september expelled deputies council suggested new leadership election held contacted salisbury soon stating wished enter talks directly government smith opted words reasoning differences writes seasoned pragmatic politician commanded insignificant force leader popular locally internationally brought internal government security forces smith thought find difficult justify continuing guerrilla war likely win deputy told smith balanced experienced nationalist leaders favoured open negotiation said support deal government probably meetings smith duly arranged took place secret october clandestine sessions passed major problems leaders agreed formal talks capital december wary labelled sell rivals particularly prevent happening consulted presidents states presidents gave approval participation direct talks blessing smith signed declaration intent negotiate december constitutional negotiations government began salisbury days later delegation proposed immediate switch black majority rule government elected strictly non racial basis reluctantly offered white population says including reserved seats whites parliament talks dragged months little progress smith notes atmosphere sides ready crack joke account meetings favourable stressing smith perceived went great lengths offer conditions find acceptable smith
Victoria Falls Conference (1975)