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Muted response to Smith's death Muted response to Smith's death
(about 2 hours later)
The death of the former Prime Minister of Rhodesia, Ian Smith, has been marked without fanfare in Zimbabwe.The death of the former Prime Minister of Rhodesia, Ian Smith, has been marked without fanfare in Zimbabwe.
There has been no comment from President Robert Mugabe, who was a leader of the guerrilla war against Mr Smith's white minority government.There has been no comment from President Robert Mugabe, who was a leader of the guerrilla war against Mr Smith's white minority government.
The news was downplayed by the Zimbabwean media. State radio said that he would be remembered for his racism and the deaths of many people.The news was downplayed by the Zimbabwean media. State radio said that he would be remembered for his racism and the deaths of many people.
Mr Smith died in South Africa aged 88. He had been ill for some time.Mr Smith died in South Africa aged 88. He had been ill for some time.
Mr Smith declared unilateral independence (UDI) from Britain in 1965, and led the country for 14 years amid international scorn and sanctions.Mr Smith declared unilateral independence (UDI) from Britain in 1965, and led the country for 14 years amid international scorn and sanctions.
We offered him the hand of reconciliation which he never accepted - good riddance Bright Matonga, Zimbabwe Deputy Information Minister Ian Smith obituary We offered him the hand of reconciliation which he never accepted - good riddance Bright Matonga, Zimbabwe Deputy Information Minister Ian Smith obituary class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7105176.stm">'We were the enemy'
Following a bitter bush war with black nationalists, the Smith government gave way to a new administration in 1979, leading to the creation of Zimbabwe.Following a bitter bush war with black nationalists, the Smith government gave way to a new administration in 1979, leading to the creation of Zimbabwe.
The former premier remained active in Zimbabwean politics until the abolition of seats reserved for whites in 1987.The former premier remained active in Zimbabwean politics until the abolition of seats reserved for whites in 1987.
The BBC's James Robbins says that to the end of his days Ian Smith was convinced that Rhodesians, black and white, would have fared better under his leadership than that of Mr Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party.The BBC's James Robbins says that to the end of his days Ian Smith was convinced that Rhodesians, black and white, would have fared better under his leadership than that of Mr Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party.
'Good life''Good life'
Zimbabwe's Information Minister, Sikhanyiso Ndlovhu, told the BBC's Network Africa programme that Mr Smith did well under President Mugabe.Zimbabwe's Information Minister, Sikhanyiso Ndlovhu, told the BBC's Network Africa programme that Mr Smith did well under President Mugabe.
"He had a good life here in Zimbabwe after independence, just living on his farm and walking in the streets freely, and doing shopping in a free Zimbabwe," he said."He had a good life here in Zimbabwe after independence, just living on his farm and walking in the streets freely, and doing shopping in a free Zimbabwe," he said.
HAVE YOUR SAY His legacy was one of imposing Mugabe on the world Maggie Jones, Cheltenham Send us your comments "He enjoyed a better Zimbabwe after independence, after his rule - or after his misrule, because during his rule, there was no democracy in this country."HAVE YOUR SAY His legacy was one of imposing Mugabe on the world Maggie Jones, Cheltenham Send us your comments "He enjoyed a better Zimbabwe after independence, after his rule - or after his misrule, because during his rule, there was no democracy in this country."
Mr Ndlovhu's deputy, Bright Matonga, described Mr Smith as a man who brought untold suffering to millions of Zimbabweans.Mr Ndlovhu's deputy, Bright Matonga, described Mr Smith as a man who brought untold suffering to millions of Zimbabweans.
"We offered him the hand of reconciliation which he never accepted," Mr Matonga told the AFP news agency. "Good riddance.""We offered him the hand of reconciliation which he never accepted," Mr Matonga told the AFP news agency. "Good riddance."