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Rhodesian ex-leader Smith rewrites autobiography

FRANKFURT, Germany (Reuters) -- Rhodesia's former white leader Ian Smith has been stirred by the upheavals in Zimbabwe into rewriting his autobiography.

Three years ago, he published "The Great Betrayal" which became a bestseller. The title of his update says it all: "Bitter Harvest: The Great Betrayal And The Dreadful Aftermath."

So his publisher was busy on Thursday at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world's largest gathering of international publishers, drumming up business for the latest salvo from a man who was one of Africa's most controversial leaders.

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"We have already had two South African publishing houses looking for a co-edition," said Rosie Ries of London-based Blake Publishing, which brought out the revised autobiography in February.

Smith was a world figure for 14 years after 1965 when he led 250,000 white Rhodesians in a Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain rather than accept black majority rule.

He fought an increasingly bloody seven-year war against guerrillas led by Robert Mugabe and other black leaders until a ceasefire and political settlement in 1979.

Still a forceful and pithy media figure at 81, Smith was not slow in coming forward with opinions after violence erupted in Zimbabwe in February.

Veterans of Zimbabwe's struggle for independence invaded white-owned farms across the country, claiming back land they say was illegally taken away by white colonists.

Smith castigated Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party, and warmly praised the main opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change.

Voting in the June elections, he said: "All I want to do is get rid of the present gangsters who have ruined our country."

At least 31 people, mostly opposition supporters, died in a wave of political violence in the run-up to the poll.

Mugabe's ZANU-PF narrowly won the election but lost the virtual monopoly on power it had held since independence in 1980.

Ries said that Smith, revered by some as a hero who confronted Britain, vilified by others as a demon who delayed majority rule, remained as defiant as ever.

"He is older and frailer now but is terrifyingly energetic," she said. "He is not remotely bitter and understands change but he will not tolerate injustice."

Ries said she just wished that all authors could be like Smith, who signed 1,000 copies of his autobiography in her office without a murmur of complaint. "He is unstoppable."

And Smith knows full well where he wants to end his days.

"He is the most undefeatist of people," Ries said. "In his 80s, his defiance is extraordinary. Nothing fazes him. There is no way he or his contemporaries will be bullied or driven out. It is absolutely his country."

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.



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