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Rhodesian PM Ian Smith Dies at 88

Broke from Britain and defended white minority rule for 15 years

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 20, 2007 9:47 PM CST
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(Newser) – Ian Smith, the Rhodesian leader who unilaterally declared independence from Britain in 1965 and defended white rule for 15 tumultuous years, died today at 88. Seen as a symbol of  African colonial-era racism, Smith was unrepentant during his lifetime, arguing that what is now Zimbabwe suffered more under the tenure of current President Robert Mugabe, the Guardian reports.

Born in Rhodesia, the son of a Scottish butcher, Smith served as a RAF fighter pilot in World War II. He was elected prime minister on the promise that black rule would not come to Rhodesia, “not in a thousand years.” Forced to cede in in the late 1970s, Smith remained combative, heading the opposition in parliament until 1986.

Former Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith works from his study at his home in northern Harare, Zimbabwe in this 2000 file photo. (AP PHOTO/Rob Cooper)
Former Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith works from his study at his home in northern Harare, Zimbabwe in this 2000 file photo. (AP PHOTO/Rob Cooper)   (Associated Press)
President Robert Mugabe addresses party supporters at the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
President Robert Mugabe addresses party supporters at the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)   (Associated Press)
A picture taken 19 August 1966 shows Ian Smith, Rebel Prime Minister of Rhodesia, delivering a speech in Umtali. Smith, who led the country now known as Zimbabwe during a guerilla war against his whites-only government, has died 20 November 2007 in South Africa.
A picture taken 19 August 1966 shows Ian Smith, Rebel Prime Minister of Rhodesia, delivering a speech in Umtali. Smith, who led the country now known as Zimbabwe during a guerilla war against his whites-only...   (Getty Images)
Ian Smith, the former Prime Minister of Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, arrives to speak at the Oxford Union in Oxford, England, in this Thursday Oct. 26 2000 file photo. (AP Photo/Dave Caulkin).
Ian Smith, the former Prime Minister of Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, arrives to speak at the Oxford Union in Oxford, England, in this Thursday Oct. 26 2000 file photo. (AP Photo/Dave Caulkin).   (Associated Press)
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"Good old Smithy" to some, a racist to others
Associated Press

The one thing Smith, Mugabe agreed upon
Reuters

Smith feared Britain would side with black activists
Telegraph (UK)

Ian Smith: in his own words
New Zimbabwe

 
Zimbabwe • Robert Mugabe • independence • obituary • South Africa • colonialism • apartheid • Britain • Ian Smith • Rhodesia

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