Ian Smith was a formidable opponent, but he lacked any…

Ian Smith was a formidable opponent, but he lacked any vision. We offered him much better terms at the Fearless and Tiger talks than anything he is going to get now. He held out too long, for too much, and is going to end up with nothing.

About

Harold Wilson, former British Prime Minister, interviewed by the BBC in 1979. While passing through Heathrow airport, Wilson had a chance encounter with Smith en-route to Lancaster House. The two had coffee together, and Wilson’s comments were made after their meeting.

Other Ian Smith Quotes

I would be dishonest if I did not state quite clearly that the proposals which were put to us in Pretoria do not represent what in our view would be the best solution to Rhodesia’s problems. - View Quote Details on I would be dishonest if I did not state quite…
I am satisfied it has strengthened my hand tremendously. Nobody but a fool would disregard the kind of result we witnessed today. - View Quote Details on I am satisfied it has strengthened my hand tremendously. Nobody…
Today is not such a tremendous day for us Rhodesians. We made our decision to become a Republic quite a long while ago, and this is simply the process of formalizing it. Our Independence Day is the great day. Rhodesia did not want to seize independence from Britain. It was forced upon us. - View Quote Details on Today is not such a tremendous day for us Rhodesians…
If Smith was a black man, I would say that he was the best Prime Minister that Zimbabwe ever had. - View Quote Details on If Smith was a black man, I would say that…
Smith had many fine qualities as a political leader. However, he was very much a creature of his background. His life revolved around the cricket team, the whites only school, the RAF, the country club and the company of other gentleman farmers. He never escaped from this or saw beyond it. - View Quote Details on Smith had many fine qualities as a political leader. However,…
To those who say derogatory things about colonialism, I would say colonialism is a wonderful thing. It spread civilization to Africa. Before it they had no written language, no wheel as we know it, no schools, no hospitals, not even normal clothing. - View Quote Details on To those who say derogatory things about colonialism, I would…
Life’s greatest lessons have come to me so late… that a country can have political independence while its people are not free. - View Quote Details on Life’s greatest lessons have come to me so late… that…
Pushing people forward simply because of their colour, irrespective of merit, would be most unfortunate and would of course lead to disaster. It would mean that Rhodesia would then develop into a kind of banana republic where the country would in no time be bankrupt. - View Quote Details on Pushing people forward simply because of their colour, irrespective of…
All the soul of man is resolution, which in valiant men falters never, until their last breath. - View Quote Details on All the soul of man is resolution, which in valiant…
Let me say it again. I don’t believe in black majority rule ever in Rhodesia, not in a thousand years. - View Quote Details on Let me say it again. I don’t believe in black…